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How to tell if old iPod needs new battery?

I have a Classic A1136 gen 5 iPod I used on a trip six years ago. I'm now taking another long trip and want to use it again.


Is there a way to test whether the battery will remain strong or is reaching it's life limit? Would someone at the Apple store have a test they can do? I don't want to have it die on me in the French countryside!


Thanks,

Karen

iPod (5th generation)

Posted on Jun 26, 2012 12:50 PM

6 replies

Jun 27, 2012 8:03 AM in response to planb77

Just sharing my experience.

The difficulties

  1. Opening the iPod Classic Casing - If the person haven't do it before, he will damage the casing, the plastic thingy on sale from ebay is practically useless for unopened or sealed iPod Classic. There are a few Youtube videos, which shows you how to damage the casing. (Actually the title is How to open iPod classic case)
  2. Disconnecting the fragile battery ribbon from the connector - most cases the connector is damaged while doing the unclip
  3. Getting the wrong battery- I think there are 3 different battery types for the numerous iPod Classic model.


It would be more economical and less frustrating to have Apple or 3rd Party replace the battery, unless you know someone who has done it before nicely or else


from youtube

User uploaded file


Have a nice day!

Jun 26, 2012 2:18 PM in response to Community User

No, I haven't used it at all since the last trip. But today I used it to listen to an audiobook for an hour or so, walking, and it was fine.



Wow. Consider yourself extremely lucky. 😝



So, are these easy to install?



According to the exellent step-by-step guide over at http://www.ifixit.com the battery replacement procedure for the 5G iPod Video is of moderate difficulty. If you'd like you can purchase the replacement battery from them if you'd like, but you could probably find it cheaper still from eBay, Amazon, or other online retailers.


Here is the step-by-step guide.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-iPod-5th-Generation-Video-Battery/603/1


B-rock

Jun 26, 2012 2:12 PM in response to planb77

No, I haven't used it at all since the last trip. But today I used it to listen to an audiobook for an hour or so, walking, and it was fine.


So, are these easy to install? I buy one online and then install it myself? From my experience with you so far, my guess is you have a link to instructions! 🙂 From the link you posted above, testing sounds like a PITA. I guess installing a new one preventively would be smart.


Karen

Jun 26, 2012 2:42 PM in response to planb77

Okay. I just ordered a battery from eBay. No thanks to self-install. I'll try to find someone locally to do it without robbing me. I'm sure Apple Store wouldn't be interested in doing it on a 10 minute counter visit....


Karen


Thanks so much, by the way.

How to tell if old iPod needs new battery?

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