This is not how you replace a save battery - a janky repair

This video covers how to PROPERLY install a save battery in older game carts. While it focuses on a Game Boy Color Cart also pertains to any NES, SNES, Sega, N64, Game Boy, GBA carts that use a save battery as the process is similar. I go over how to properly replace these save batteries. Specifically for GBC (Game Boy Color) you will need CR2025 save battery. These batteries can be purchased online from eBay or Amazon and only cost a couple dollars. Additionally we discover a janky battery replacement which is perfect for demonstrating how NOT to replace the save battery in a game cart. My original post about this can be found at the following link: www.tzirf.com/nintendo-consol...
0:01 Intro: Pokemon Gold GBC
0:21 Testing the game the battery
2:30 Opening cart to inspect battery
3:17 How NOT to install a save battery
5:34 Removing battery tabs
7:09 Cleaning pads with IPA
7:50 installing correct CR2025 battery
8:55 Proper replacement vs What not to use
9:12 Reassembly/Testing
10:35 Outro
For additional resources & guides you can visit my website www.tzirf.com. It is a forum based website where I post all the repairs I am working on so that the resources are there for others to do the same repairs. If you are working on a repair and want to share it, or need help with your repair I encourage you to join and make a post.
Music by: www.bensound.com
License code: TWKRYMWIP0ZB2F3U

[@Jdbye]

I would install a CR2025 socket if at all possible. Just makes replacing easier in the future.

[@triadwarfare]

Agree. We'd like to avoid soldering as much as possible.

[@Tzirf]

Yes you could certainly use a socket. I have used them many times. I don't typically use them for games in my own collection though. I guess I just like the original way Nintendo did the save battery. Only takes me a couple minutes to replace these batteries which is very easy for me. I have had individuals ask me to install the socket for them and I agree. If you are someone who doesn't solder and you are having someone replace these batteries for you I would recommend using the CR1616 socket, as its a one and done solution and the next time the battery needs to be replaced you can just pop out the old one and pop the new one in. As far as I know the CR2025 sockets do not work or cause the cart to bulge due to the added thickness. Either way CR2025 or CR1616 batteries can be used with GB/GBC games.

[@alexanderewing6312]

I found a copy of crystal in my garage, so I broke the dead battery off of the metal taps, but left the taps intact, then I took scotch tape, and wrapped the tape around the new battery and the metal taps. it’s been a year and a half, and everything is working fine.

[@user-zu8bd9ik9t]

Janky, but I like it XD Did a similar thing to my Silver back in 2010, it still works now. Personally I consider the cr2032 battery a bigger battery capacity mod.

[@Tzirf]

The CR2032 is a larger capacity. That being said its thicker, which is why Nintendo didn't use them in these games. see the numbers on these batteries have to do with the width and thickness. So a 2032 is the same width, but .32mm thick, where the 2025 is .25mm thick.

[@marcellachine5718]

​@@TzirfI have a copy of crystal, silver and 2 yellows I need to replace the batteries on. Where do you get cheap and reliable batteries from? Also I have a gba ruby and sapphire, do they take the same battery?

[@Tzirf]

@@marcellachine5718 Amazon is where I purchased the batteries. You can certainly go cheaper through eBay or Aliexpress where sometimes these batteries can be purchased for $2 or less. That being said the cheaper battery may not last as long so I don't buy them. I prefer to order the maxell ones from Amazon, and they do cost a bit more roughly $5 give or take, but they should last another 20+ years. Crystal & Silver use CR2025, Yellow uses CR1616 and all GBA games with save batteries use CR1616.

[@ericb3157]

this reminds me of an old story i read, someone tried to put a "mod chip" in a game system. a tech looked at it, and the chip was COMPLETELY COVERED WITH SOLDER! "it looks like it was done by a drunk monkey."

[@Tzirf]

🤣😂🤣😂 I have seen similar repairs over the years and I admit some of them had me laughing hysterically because how bad they were

[@AMidgetWalrus]

TBH in the absence of a tabbed battery, a better execution of what the original owner tried would totally work. With the dubious quality of some tabbed batteries it might work out better even

[@Tzirf]

I agree it would work. However working and being correct are two different things. Cheers

[@AMidgetWalrus]

​@@Tzirf IMO the CORRECT way to do it is to install a battery terminal / slot / holder, and use a quality branded battery. Skips out on the jank AND the lower quality cells a lot of tabbed batteries use.