VC II Battery Replacement

	VC-II Battery Replacement The VC-II Module in your satellite receiver contains a 3.6 Volt lithium battery which maintains in memory, data critical to the continued operation of your satellite system. Although some people have reported getting 8 or more years of service from the original battery, you should consider any unit more then 5 to 6 years old to be living on borrowed time. Once this battery dies you will loose unit ID (authorization number) which is a catastrophic failure requiring a professional repair service. A replacement battery is available from Radio Shack On Line - Tadiran TL-2150 Lithium 3.6 Volt Lithium Battery with Axil leads. This is Radio Shack's Catalog Number 960-0004. Update! I've been informed that the battery number I'm listing is no longer valid, but apparantly Radio Shack now carries it under part number is 1243-2142. The price is $7.99 and it's a special order. If that part can't be found, try searching for in in the general electronics supply catalogs such as Digi-Key, Newark, or Allied. Many larger community will have a local electronics parts store other then Radio Shack where the local tech people and companies get their supplies. And if the exact part still can't be found, any 3.6 volt lithium should be able to be adapted to do the job. The battery is soldered to the VC-II module PC board. You have to solder a new battery to the board to maintain power to the board, before removing the old battery. If at any time during this procedure, the board is not powered up – even for two seconds, then it will lose your authorization number, which basically kills the board. This procedure is the safest way to replace the battery. Note: It’s a good idea to discharge any static electricity your body may have accumulated before opening the module. You can do this by touching the cover screw on any AC outlet since this screw is grounded to the AC outlet. The VC-II integrated circuits are static sensitive devices. Procedure Warning! Before you remove and reinstall the VC-II Module from your receiver make sure you unplug the receiver. Failure to do this will result in damage to your equipment. open the cage by removing the screw in the center under the void sticker. The halves snap apart. Note: Many of the modules assembly tabs were plastic welded in manufacture and will break during the disassembly. This is not a problem since the single screw will hold the halves together after reassembly. You could also Crazy Glue in several places for added rigidity -- but this is not necessary. Solder the new battery to the circuit board at the base of the old Battery, with the old battery STILL CONNECTED. They will both be side by side, (Make sure polarity is matched, + to +) Use a good amount of solder but don’t overheat the circuit board. Make sure its firmly soldered on. Clip off the leads on the old battery just above the solder joint and remove it. CAREFULLY bend new battery over, so it fits in the old ones place. This 4th step is not necessary except for neatness so skip it if you want to play it safe. Reassemble the module. While you have the case off its a good idea to use a piece of dry clean cloth to clean off the VC-II connector contact oxidation by rubbing the VC-II contacts till they get back their sheen. This can help get rid of any little cracks or pops you may have had. Do this before changing the battery. Another way is to use a SOFT eraser to gently clean the contacts making sure you brush away any eraser debris after cleaning. Process courtesy of Frank (FJM5) from the 4DTV forum.
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