ICOM IC-7300 CLOCK BATTERY PROBLEM RESOLVED

After disconnected from DC power for extended period, IC-7300 clock battery degrades and causes its time and date resets by itself
This video is about replacing internal clock battery with rechargeable 2032 battery
This video is for your reference only and please replace your battery at your own risk
I recommend to use SMD rework station or at least a SMD rework hot air gun.
Removing the original battery with a soldering iron will be very challenging and tricky.
SMD hot air gun, fine soldering iron tip, thin gauge soldering wire, thin gauge battery wire, soldering flux paste, flux cleaner will be needed for successful soldering work.
Background music from www.bensound.com

[@davidmccarter982]

The same issue occurs on the IC-7610, which uses a minuscule soldered in battery where a replaceable 2032 could be used. Well done!

[@va3be_radio]

Thanks David for your comment. It's been 2 years since I replaced battery and having no issue so far. I'm planning to make a follow-up video soon. Thanks again and 73

[@k3xq856]

Good call with the rechargeable 2032. Just did this replacement. Such a pain to sync the time with my laptop/Icom app every time I used the radio or leaving the power supply on to avoid the time reset. Thanks for the video. 73

[@va3be_radio]

I'm glad to hear that you replaced your battery successfully. I also considered ICOM Time Adjustment Software at one point. It's nice that ICOM released this software, but it's not enough for me, so I decided to replace the battery. I think I made a good move, like you just did. Keep enjoying the fantastic IC-7300. Thanks and 73

[@DK5ONV]

Hello Lee, this is the next useful MOD I am going to do on my IC-7300 that really makes sense . Tnx for showing us how to proceed. 73 de Your Friend Uncle Guenter 💯👍🙋‍♂

[@va3be_radio]

Hello Guenter, I'm glad that you liked my video. Building or modifying ham radio gear gives us as much fun as DX chasing, IMO Hi Hi. Enjoy your next mod. 73

[@DK5ONV]

@@va3be_radio Tnx Jason , happy Thursday into ON

[@sean-2e0xbt57]

Hey Uncle G - Have you done this yet? I'm looking to do mine - Thanks for the great video Jason

[@DK5ONV]

@@sean-2e0xbt57 Hello Sean. Nope not yet, my IC-7300 just turned 2 Years on Dec. 7th and the original BT381 Battery still works fine. I got a couple CR2032's and matching Battery Holders on Stock if it comes to the Point to replace the shitty Battery with a new one. Good luck on the Modification & merry christmas to you and yours. 73 de YFUG from southwest Germany 💯🙋‍♂

[@SunilAruldas]

Great work! Thanks

[@va3be_radio]

It's my pleasure Sunil

[@Flightlevel350]

I don't understand why Icom installs such crap again. These cr2032 (2025) battery change holders have already been installed on my 30-year-old IC-R7100 and R72 and the change is done in 10 minutes.

[@FishingFan2]

A much simpler solution - download ST - 4003W time adjust software from the net. USB cable from rear of 7300 into USB of PC/Laptop Run the programme and you have a very accurate time/Date, update on you 7300 essential for Data modes etc.

[@2e0mpg]

Yes my radio has this fault I would like to get it fixed

[@missiontech1555]

Why didn't you mount the new battery and holder on the outside of the radio case? It would save a lot of thime to replace the battery in the future.

[@va3be_radio]

That's a great idea, although I personally don't mind removing the radio bottom cover once in every 5~10 years to replace the battery. Thanks for your suggestion 73

[@johnk8091]

It's a rechargeable CR2032 battery that he installed - probably good for 20 - 30 years. Why have something dangling on the outside of the radio when it will likely never need replacing once fitted, being rechargeable

[@johnflowers1976]

Thanks for the video, very professionally done compared with some implementations I've seen on YT. I'll definitely do this mod. 73 G0JLF.

[@va3be_radio]

Hello John Thanks for your friendly comments. I recommend you to buy or borrow a SMD rework station or at least a SMD rework hot air gun. Removing the original battery with a soldering iron will be very challenging and tricky. SMD hot air gun, fine soldering iron tip, thin gauge soldering wire, thin gauge battery wire, soldering flux paste, flux cleaner will be needed for successful soldering work. Thanks again for your comment and good luck with your mod 73

[@johnflowers1976]

@@va3be_radio Thanks for the hints, thankfully I can use the SMD rework facilities at work for this 😉 73.

[@eugenemodzelewski6471]

Excellent job. Thanks for the video. BTW how long does the old battery last? I've had my IC 7300 2 yrs now.

[@va3be_radio]

Hello I'm glad that you enjoyed my video. My old battery lasted about 5 years, but it all depends on how often and how long you leave your radio turned on. Original ML414H battery has 300 cycle life at 50% discharge. This battery takes 72 Hours Yes 72 Hours (@ 0.03 mA × 3.1V) to be fully charged, and about 8 days to be fully discharged, if I'm not wrong. A simple math will give you an idea how often and how long you have to leave your radio turned on, to minimize battery degradation and maximize the battery life. Thank you and keep enjoying the amazing IC-7300. 73

[@oldgiapetto]

Mine lasted less than a year. What out-of-work rocket scientist designed that tiny little button cell anyway?? Geez

[@205a2]

@@va3be_radio Does the radio need to be on or just connected to a power supply to charge the battery?

[@va3be_radio]

Thanks for watching my video. As long as you leave your power supply ON, battery will be charged no matter the radio is ON or not. One thing to keep in mind is that the power supply has to be continuously ON for 3 days to fully charge the clock battery, because the charging circuit current is very very little. Thanks again and 73

[@johnk8091]

Odd that Icom did not do this in the factory - doing it in bulk, it would have added less than $ 1 to the build cost. I still love Icom though, I have 2 x 7300 and 1 x 705

[@va3be_radio]

I think everyone incluing me has the same question like you. We will never understand their business strategy, but when IC-7300 was first released, ICOM sold well over 20,000 units immediately. That's what 7~8 years ago? I assume ICOM has sold IC-7300 well over 100,000 units now, if not more. So even $1 maybe too much ? I don't know

[@bucksfer7039]

Getting ready to do the mod on both my 7300 and 9700. What adhesive "tape" did you use for the holder. Seems like I will need a temperature resistant something or other? Thanks in advance. 73

[@va3be_radio]

I used a double sided tape that I bought from a local discount store. It's called Duramax Acrylic Gel tape, basically a no-name brand, claiming that it can hold up to 5.5 lbs/2.5kg and temperature from 100°C to -30°C (212°F to -22°F) The bottom of the battery holder that I used, was not flat, as it was made for circuit board mounting. So, I had to modify the holder to make the bottom flat. I put a piece of clear tape to block the hole in the center, and put masking tape around the battery holder. This preparation created a container where I could put some epoxy resin in it. I was able to make it flat at the end. Unfortunately it's not video recorded, so I couldn't show it on this video. Thanks and 73

[@bucksfer7039]

@@va3be_radio Thank you for the information. After an inquiry with a friend if he had anything, I remembered (hopefully) that I have some thermal double sided tape I bought for use with heat sinks. Having a battery holder with about 6" (15.4 cm) of wire limits what one can do. But, we HAMs always seem to come up with "a" answer! Again, Thanks and 73!

[@dheller777]

At the age where don't have steady enough hands to do this and the local Hamshop won't replace the battery and told me to send it back to Icom. Bad design to have this happen in the two years since I purchased it new.

[@va3be_radio]

I'm sorry to hear that your local ham shop doesn't want to replace your battery. I hope you can find someone near you who's willing to help you. 73

[@dutchham]

Hello, as far as i know a cr2032 is a non rechargeable battery. Would it be safer to put a diode in series to block the chargingvoltage?

[@va3be_radio]

Hello First of all, sorry for making you confused. I didn't use CR2032, but used LIR2032 rechargeable battery. I don't expect IC-7300 clock battery circuit will charge the replaced LIR2032, because the original IC-7300 clock circuit charging voltage and current is way too low (3.1V, 0.03mA max) for LIR2032 to be charged. It's been 2 years since I replaced my IC-7300 clock battery, so I'm planning to make a follow-up video soon. If I have time, I will include an experimental video whether the non-rechargable CR2032 can handle 3.1V 0.03mA charging current or not, just for fun. I would definitely use a diode if I chose to use CR2032. Thanks for watching my video 73

[@DSB1234567890]

Would non-rechargeable batteries work too? I realize I'd have to change it after a few years, but I prefer that to worrying about it discharging.

[@va3be_radio]

Hello Thanks for watching my video I'm not an expert, but here's my opinion. The charging current on the original clock battery BT-381 is only about 0.025 mA plus minus. Meaning that using none-rechargeable battery CR2032 should not be a problem. I could not find the data sheet that I read before, but it said applying little current won't cause any issue on CR2032. I don't remember the exact number that CR2032 can handle, but 0.025 mA is way below the number as far as I remember. BUT, I would use a diode to block charging current, if I had to use none rechargeable battery, just in case. Again, I'm not an expert, so please take my thoughts as a reference. Thanks and 73 PS. BT-381 is only 1mAh and CR2032 is 210mAh, so it will last so many years that you can forget bout it.

[@drifter7873]

Do you have to use a heat gun? I was just going to use solder iron, do you see any problems with a iron and pry it up?

[@va3be_radio]

I STRONGLY recommend you to use hot air gun. There are other's videos on KZbin using soldering iron, which looks quite challenging and tricky to me. Following is one of the video on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZS1qmB5acaMqqM

[@Ed5on]

Voce fez o video bem no dia do meu aniversário naquele ano , 🎉 como esta a durabilidade da bateria depois de 2 anos ?

[@va3be_radio]

Está funcionando perfectamente como esperaba. Creo que no tendré ningún problema hasta dentro de 10 años o más. Gracias y feliz cumpleaños de antemano 73 It is working flawlessly as I expected. I believe I won't have any problem for another 10 years or more. Thanks and Happy birthday in advance 73

[@Probedude2000]

Original battery is 3V. LR2032 is 3.7 and a I saw near 3.9V in your video. Seems high. Do you know what the IC7300 charging voltage is?

[@va3be_radio]

Hello Thanks for watching my video and leaving comments. I believe there might be many OMs having the same question as you do, because I had the same question/concern. When I started this mod, I first checked schematics and data sheets for all related parts. As far as I remember, all parts are SAFE up to 4.5V, maybe more, if I'm not wrong. 3.9V is in good safe zone. Charging? I DON'T expect LIR2032 to be charged by the IC-7300's charging circuit, but used LIR2032. Why? Because I checked CR2032 (Not LIR2032) data sheets first, and it seemed ok use, as one of the data sheet noted that it's ok with little charging DC current (I don't remember the exact value), but since so many companies making CR2032, I chose not to use CR2032, but to use LIR2032 which is ok with IC-7300 charging current no matter what brand it is. With the capacity of LIR2032, it will be ok for many many years without charging, probably I don't have to worry about it till I move to the next radio. It's been only about 1.5 years since I did this mod, so it's too early to say everything is good, but so far ZERO issues with me. AS I MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS VIDEO, IT IS JUST FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. PLEASE CHOOSE WHICHEVER WAY YOU THINK IS RIGHT. Thanks again and 73

[@donaldsmith3048]

Where can I get the battery and holder!

[@va3be_radio]

Hello Donald You can buy those very cheap from Ebay or Aliexpress. I believe I bought 2 batteries and 10 holders for less than $5 Thanks and 73

[@marcoplacidi9975]

What the temperature have used for air flow?

[@va3be_radio]

Hello Marco I used 350°C @ 50% air flow and the smallest nozzle

[@marcoplacidi9975]

@@va3be_radio perfect thanks much appreciated

[@conchd]

Has anyone run into problems with this modification or fix long term?

[@va3be_radio]

Hello I'm not worried about any short term or long term issues with this mod, as I checked schematics and all the data sheets for the related parts. BUT, again this video is for your reference only, so please do this mod at your own risk. Thanks

[@tglenn3121]

I don't own a 7300 anymore (partly for the issue with the clock), but also that Icom just doesn't seem to give a damn about addressing this issue themselves but rather, leaving it to owners or techs to fix this problem. Good-bye, Icom. You lost me. I 'upgraded' to Yaesu.

[@va3be_radio]

If it was Yaesu FT-7300, we could already see FT-7300A or FT-7300ND on the market Hi Hi

[@tglenn3121]

@@va3be_radio No. Icom 7300.

[@blueharley2]

removing the cables and the front panel goes off camera. This video misses that very important part!

[@va3be_radio]

Hey Mark You are right, I wasn't diligent enough to move my one and only camera tripod here and there to get the best angle while working with my radio in a tiny work room. Front unit is connected to the main unit with 2 Ribbon cables, 1 JST cable and 4 screws. You will get an idea once you remove top and bottom cover. Thanks

[@KenPaisley]

One mouse click is too much effort to set the clock?

[@va3be_radio]

ICOM time adjustment software you mean? I tried it but it made me feel like having a bandaid on my fingertip

[@jimdarrough1732]

How do you justify using a rechargeable battery? The IC-7300 comes with a BT-381 cell which is NOT rechargeable. Using a rechargeable battery is definitely a BAD idea. Both the examples above are NOT rechargeable. Please do not tell people it is ok to use a rechargeable battery.

[@va3be_radio]

icomuk.co.uk/Why-has-the-clock-on-my-IC-7300-run-down/4056/2363/ Please look what ICOM UK says above. Plus on IC-7300 Service manual page 5-6 ICOM use Seiko ML414HIV01E for BT381 Please check Digikey website with part number ML414HIV01E and see what it says. Thanks

[@va3be_radio]

Please read IC-7300 FULL MANUAL page 12-11 There's a SPECIAL NOTE (highlighted) regarding this RECHARGEABLE clock battery. ICOM says it takes 2 days to fully charge this clock battery, but once BT381 battery is degraded for some reason, it doesn't work, unless you keep your radio connected to DC power supply forever. I'd like to remind you that this video CLEARLY mentioned at the beginning that it's for your REFERENCE only and do it at your own risk. I neither mentioned it's OK to do this mod, nor encouraged you to do it. Please don't do it, if you don't think it's right. Thanks

[@markwarren7116]

Never mount a battery on top of another component. Mount it on the side, there is room. I have done a few.

[@va3be_radio]

It's a metal shield box covering a few step down converters and etc. I didn't consider this shield box as a electronic components, but I might be wrong. I chose this spot only because of its sleek surface, where double sided tape sticks the best. If any issue happens down the road, I will share with everyone immediately, but no issues yet Thanks for your comments 73

[@markwarren7116]

@@va3be_radio...And like you have put on this video, use a "rechargeable" battery...The NON rechargeable ones will die quickly. Icom has informed me that you shouldn't use the 3.6V or 3.7V version either.

[@massoud999]

Cool and thanks 73 de 4z5uy 👏

[@va3be_radio]

It's my pleasure Uriah 73