Need to replace battery... NO idea what type!

[DaveNetMan]

I hope someone here can help me. Ok, I bought this Chinese mp4 player last March on ebay. Here is a link, this is not the exact item# that I bought from, I can't go back that far, but it looks identical in every way:

Link

Last week, for some unknown reason, my battery suddenly swelled up, pushing open the case around it, and of course I can't use my player. I'm hoping everything else is ok, and that I just need to replace the battery. However, I have NO IDEA what kind of battery I need. Since I can't bring up my original ad, I can't see the specs they listed on the battery (if any). There are absolutely no markings of any kind on the battery itself. In that manual the came with the player, all it says is "rechargeable 1.5v battery". But on the website I posted above, which looks to me to be the same player, it says "Rechargeable Li-ion battery" and "you can use NOKIA phone battery as its power if necessary or emergency use! Such as type of 6600 battery", but when I looked this up, it says it is 3.7v . So, I don't know if I really need a 1.5v or 3.7v or what. I've also emailed the seller in Hong Kong, but so far no reply. Can anyone help?

[Hellfromabove]

http://search.ebay.com/Nokia-6600-Ba...Zm37QQfromZR40

Well, according to the link of the player you have given off of Ebay the battery is a duplicate of the Nokia 6600. I typed that in on Ebay and got a multitude of auctions. The link above are the following items that came up.

-Tha Hindu

[DaveNetMan]

I just wanted to make 1000% sure I am buying the right battery. Understand that I know virtually nothing about batteries, when it comes to voltage etc. I'm just confused because the manual (albiet broken Chinese) says 1.5v, and this ad says 3.7v . Are 1.5v batteries common in the chipod players? What happens if I pop in the wrong one?

[nzer_4_lyf]

It should be fine, the manuals are pretty generic.

The standard batteries in chipods are 1.5v.

As long as your player is the same as in the ebay auction a Glacier like player then removable nokia batteries will work fine. Take off the back of the player and see how many volts it is.

[lattesurf]

DaveNetMan , your player should be using the Nokia BL-5C model batteries. There are many non-nokia branded batteries on ebay which are relatively cheap and could also be used. Have a search for "BL-5C" for specific results.

Regarding the 1.5V issue, the older S1 mp3 players (pen drive style) uses an AAA battery, so explains the 1.5V. The generic manuals are complete rubbish and should be throw into the recycle bin asap. Most manuals inserted with the players are not for that specific model.

The slightly newer colour screen players requires higher voltage, thus uses 3.7V. Either in the form of cheap internal lithium packs, or removable mobile phone batteries like yours (which are also 3.7V). It's an industry practice for lithium cells to be in multiples of 3.7V, although you can get customized voltages by paying more money, but this is another story.

[DaveNetMan]

Guys, thanks to everyone for their great replies. Based on what everyone said, I just ordered a Nokia BL-5C 3.7v battery. Only $1.95 + shipping on ebay! I'll let you know how it works out.

BTW, does anyone know what causes a battery to swell up like that? My daughter thinks she might have sat on it, but I'm thinking maybe more something like overheating? Will swelling up do any permanent damage to the player? I didn't seem to leak anything.

Thanks again!
Dave

[lattesurf]

DaveNetMan , swelling are generally signs of a damaged battery.

When charging takes place, chemical reaction occurs within the battery itself and gases are produced. Most well-made lithium packs have vent holes to allow these gases to escape safely. Some don't have them, or just simply poorly made.
Without the presence of good vent holes, the batteries tend to swell when charging.

It shouldn't harm your player, unless some of the chemical liquid actually leaks into the player itself, or the swelling is so great that it bends and damages the player circuit board. Do discard the swelled battery properly as it shouldn't be used anymore.

[DaveNetMan]

Ok, that does make sense. The battery that came with the player was totally, completely wrapped in a black rubbery film, almost like electrical tape. I can see absolutely no vent holes whatsoever. (There is also no writing of any kind). The good news is, no leaks that I can see, and the rest of the player looks intact. So let's hope my replacement battery is better!

Thanks again, great info!