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Installing iPod Touch 1st Generation Battery
Replace the battery in your 1st generation iPod Touch.
- Author: Walter Galan
- Difficulty: Very difficult
Battery not lasting long? Swap it out (requires soldering).
Tools (continued)
Relevant parts
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Edit Step 1
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Case
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Opening the case is a tough and potentially dangerous task. A good amount of force is required to wedge the iPod opening tool in between the case seams. The case may be damaged if this step is not done properly. Make sure not to hurt yourself while opening your iPod.
Insert the small iPod opening tool into the seam in between plastic display panel and the metal back panel. The angled edge should point towards the metal back panel.
Hold the tool in place once it is wedged inside and the two panels are separated.

Edit Step 2 ¶
There are seven interlocking retaining clips on each side of the iPod. The large iPod opening tool will be used to separate the front panel from the metal back of the iPod.
Insert the large iPod opening tool into the right side of the iPod, with the edge of the tool pointing towards the metal back.
Gently enlarge the existing crevice by wiggling the large iPod opening tool and moving it to the right.
Continue doing so until the right side of the iPod is loose.

Edit Step 5
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Logic Board
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The battery is glued to the iPod's display, but no screws hold it in place.
Flip the iPod 180 degrees so it matches the orientation in the picture.
Carefully insert the spudger in between the battery and the display. There are routing cables underneath, so make sure you slowly pry the battery loose.

Edit Step 10 ¶
Be careful when flipping up the logic board. The headphone jack and docking port are attached to the board.
Gently lift the logic board (and attached components) upward.
The smaller portion of the logic board that resides underneath is very bendable and frail. Make sure not to pull the spudger upward when using it to detach the small board. Use only side-to-side movement.
Slide the spudger under the small portion of the logic board. The board should come loose once the spudger has slid almost all the way to the other side.

Edit Step 13 ¶
We're now ready to begin the soldering process. You'll need a soldering iron, solder, and desoldering wick. You should be able to find these items at a Radio Shack if you don't already have them.
Clean the soldering iron by melting a small amount of solder directly onto the soldering iron's tip and then wiping the tip of the soldering iron on a damp sponge.

Edit Step 14 ¶
Place the desoldering wick on top of the existing solder ball.
Place the soldering iron on top of wick above the existing solder ball.
Hold the soldering iron in place until the solder melts into the wick.
Repeat the same procedure on the remaining two connectors.
Lift the old battery out of the iPod. Be sure that all the solder has been removed before pulling the wires away from the board. The wires should come free with little to no resistance.

Edit Step 15 ¶
We recommend that you clean the exposed surface of the board with a soft cloth or sponge and a small amount of rubbing alcohol.
Melt a small solder bead directly onto the metal connector on the board by placing the soldering iron onto the metal connector and then pressing solder against the tip and the board.
Once a small amount of solder has melted onto the board, lift the solder away first and then the soldering iron.
The solder bead should look like a small dome or hemisphere. If it is flat or jagged, simply place the soldering iron back on the solder to re-melt it and then pull the soldering iron away. It may require a little more solder if this does not work.

Edit Step 16 ¶
Attach the black lead first, followed by the red lead, and finish with the white lead.
Place the wire from the new battery onto the new solder bead.
Press the tip of the soldering iron onto the solder bead until it melts.
Slide the wire lead into the liquid solder until the wire goes through the center of the bead, then remove the soldering iron.
Continue with the other two connections the same way, taking special care not to solder two of the connectors together.
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