Howto: Cardo Scala Rider Q3 – Replace Battery
I bought the CSR Q3 when it just came out. So I’ve been using it for about 4 years now.
Over the years the battery was draining faster and faster. It came up to the point that I could only use it for about 2 to 3 hours, and then it was empty. The original usage was around 8 to 9 hours.
So I’ve been searching the internet if someone already had done this. Could not find it for the Q3, but for the older versions there were some write ups. The most important thing was to find some replacement battery, that fits the original dimensions of the battery (or smaller), had the same voltage, and the same capacity (or more).
I didn’t want to open up my Q3 before I knew if there were some replacements available. Searching some battery replacement sites, they all mentioned these specifications:
Capacity: 320 mAh
Type: Li-po
Voltage: Voltage: 3.7V
Dimensions: 52 x 20 x 5 (mm)
I can tell you, these specs are not “true”. When opening up my Q3, there was a different battery inside it with these specs:
Capacity: 400 mAh
Type: Li-ion
Voltage: Voltage: 4.2V
Dimensions: 48 x 20 x 4 (mm)
Via a write up of the replacement of a Q2 I came by the following replacement battery:
Blogpost
Replacement Battery
This battery is used originally in an iPod 5th generation. So should fit well, also the added capacity in mAh should mean a couple of minutes more runtime.
Capacity: 450 mAh
Type: Li-po
Voltage: Voltage: 3.7V
Dimensions: 45 x 19 x 5 (mm)
What do you need:
-Replacement battery
-Torx T6
-Plastic tool to open
-Solder unit
Step 1
Remove the four (4) screws at the back of the unit.
Step 2
With the plastic tool try and go inside the small gap that hold the sides together. You can also apply a bit pressure by squeezing the device. Its not glued together, so it should be fairly easy to open. Just go slowly around the sides. From front to back (USB port). And the halves should come free easy.
Step 3
When you separate the halves. Just keep the part with the green printboard. The top half doesn’t need alterations. As you also can see there is no adhesive or glue/kit. Totally clean.
Step 4
The board is connected to the bottom black half with two 4-pin connectors. Just pry the plastic tool between, and gently lift up to get it loosened.
Step 5
The battery is lightly glued to the bottom. Just pry the tool under it, and lift gently.
Step 6
As you can see the battery is connected to the printboard by a small connector. Gently disconnect the cable by pulling it.
Step 7
As you can see the replacement battery has a flat-cable instead of a neat connector like the original. We need to resolder te original wires, to the new battery. First, remove the flat cable.
Unpack the battery gently, so that you can reach the solder points.
Step 8
De-solder the MIDDEL three dots. Then the flat cable will get loose. Do not touch the most left and right dots.
Step 9
To de-solder the wires of the original cable, unpack it gently and fold the top half over. So the wires come loose and in view to de-solder.
Step 10
When you got the wires loosened. Solder them onto the replacement battery.
Step 11
When done soldering, repack it gently in the foil. Make sure to fold in the cables, so that it sticks out just a bit.
Step 12
Re-assemble everything. So: Connect battery, place it in bottom half, press in the printboard, make sure the two 4-pin connectors are aligned neatly. To test if it works, press the front button for 3 seconds. It should boot up, and the blue light should be visible. Place the four screws again. Connect it to the charger, and let it charge.
Enjoy your Q3 with longer battery life again!
I bought the CSR Q3 when it just came out. So I’ve been using it for about 4 years now.
Over the years the battery was draining faster and faster. It came up to the point that I could only use it for about 2 to 3 hours, and then it was empty. The original usage was around 8 to 9 hours.
So I’ve been searching the internet if someone already had done this. Could not find it for the Q3, but for the older versions there were some write ups. The most important thing was to find some replacement battery, that fits the original dimensions of the battery (or smaller), had the same voltage, and the same capacity (or more).
I didn’t want to open up my Q3 before I knew if there were some replacements available. Searching some battery replacement sites, they all mentioned these specifications:
Capacity: 320 mAh
Type: Li-po
Voltage: Voltage: 3.7V
Dimensions: 52 x 20 x 5 (mm)
I can tell you, these specs are not “true”. When opening up my Q3, there was a different battery inside it with these specs:
Capacity: 400 mAh
Type: Li-ion
Voltage: Voltage: 4.2V
Dimensions: 48 x 20 x 4 (mm)
Via a write up of the replacement of a Q2 I came by the following replacement battery:
Blogpost
Replacement Battery
This battery is used originally in an iPod 5th generation. So should fit well, also the added capacity in mAh should mean a couple of minutes more runtime.
Capacity: 450 mAh
Type: Li-po
Voltage: Voltage: 3.7V
Dimensions: 45 x 19 x 5 (mm)
What do you need:
-Replacement battery
-Torx T6
-Plastic tool to open
-Solder unit
Step 1
Remove the four (4) screws at the back of the unit.
Step 2
With the plastic tool try and go inside the small gap that hold the sides together. You can also apply a bit pressure by squeezing the device. Its not glued together, so it should be fairly easy to open. Just go slowly around the sides. From front to back (USB port). And the halves should come free easy.
Step 3
When you separate the halves. Just keep the part with the green printboard. The top half doesn’t need alterations. As you also can see there is no adhesive or glue/kit. Totally clean.
Step 4
The board is connected to the bottom black half with two 4-pin connectors. Just pry the plastic tool between, and gently lift up to get it loosened.
Step 5
The battery is lightly glued to the bottom. Just pry the tool under it, and lift gently.
Step 6
As you can see the battery is connected to the printboard by a small connector. Gently disconnect the cable by pulling it.
Step 7
As you can see the replacement battery has a flat-cable instead of a neat connector like the original. We need to resolder te original wires, to the new battery. First, remove the flat cable.
Unpack the battery gently, so that you can reach the solder points.
Step 8
De-solder the MIDDEL three dots. Then the flat cable will get loose. Do not touch the most left and right dots.
Step 9
To de-solder the wires of the original cable, unpack it gently and fold the top half over. So the wires come loose and in view to de-solder.
Step 10
When you got the wires loosened. Solder them onto the replacement battery.
Step 11
When done soldering, repack it gently in the foil. Make sure to fold in the cables, so that it sticks out just a bit.
Step 12
Re-assemble everything. So: Connect battery, place it in bottom half, press in the printboard, make sure the two 4-pin connectors are aligned neatly. To test if it works, press the front button for 3 seconds. It should boot up, and the blue light should be visible. Place the four screws again. Connect it to the charger, and let it charge.
Enjoy your Q3 with longer battery life again!