VL70m - Battery Replacement

[@dbrisbin1]

I also just replaced the battery with a Varta CR2450 and it clicked right into place and works as it should. I spoke with a local electronics repair shop who encouraged me to keep the unit powered up until I got the replacement battery and keep it powered up while I was replacing the battery to make sure I didn't lose my data. I thought that was risky to open the box while powered up, but he said only if I dropped a screwdriver across it. I followed his advice and all is well.

[@david-el-melky]

Thanks for your input, and I'm glad to hear it worked, but from what I've experienced if you're replacing the battery you don't need to keep it powered, it's a quick process. But let's say you've tried to put a battery that doesn't fit, I'll put back the old battery until I get one that fits, I won't leave it without a battery for a long time, I tried to replace mine 5 or 6 times testing which battery that fits but in between I was putting back the older one. TO ME, I wouldn't dare to leave it on power, "Plus" I don't think the power would keep your memory, I THINK (Not sure) it's the battery, maybe someone else can confirm that 😊

[@dbrisbin1]

Thanks for this, David. I know, I had the same misgivings about opening box with power on, but didn't want to lose my user programs. Maybe I was just lucky, so for ongoing practice, I defer to you. Though as this is the first time I've had to replace the battery since I bought the unit some twenty years ago, hopefully won't need to for awhile. Thanks for this video. Very thorough and really helped. I followed to the letter except for the power part...@@david-el-melky

[@drewwhite6865]

Thank you so much David - it was a fantastic guide and all worked well!

[@david-el-melky]

I'm glad you liked it, thanks so much for your comment, truly appreciated 😀

[@arnaudgravet6956]

Big thanks David for your video. Energizer CR2450 fits perfectly too. They are easy to find.

[@david-el-melky]

Thank you for watching, and big thank you as well for sharing your finding about the Energizer CR2450, it's good to know that a replacement still available 😀

[@patrickdaly2361]

Hello again David,I replaced the battery in my vl70m just now,powered it up and everything appeared as normal,nothing lost,the replacement battery I used was the Varta CR2430,it went in nicely,but just to make sure that it stayed in position I put a small strip of tape across it,once again David I thank you for the background work you done regd locating a similar type battery. The battery warning logo is now gone . All the best,P Daly

[@david-el-melky]

Thank you Patrick for your input, and yes the 2430 will work but it won't last as much as the 2450 since it's nearly half the capacity but it's OK you probably need to change it more often that's all, and in regards to keep it in place because it's 2 mm thinner, if you don't move the unit a lot and flip it upside down when it's operating it should be fine :)

[@robst247]

I can also confirm that the Varta CR2450 clicks into place and works perfectly. All the factory presets are still present after replacing the battery.

[@david-el-melky]

Thank you so much for your feedback, it really give us more assurance that this type of batteries are the solution, truly appreciated 😀

[@GeorgeValua]

Thanks a lot for this video and comment from users. Installation/replacement also was successful for me. I installed Varta CR2450 blue-silver (purchased 2-Pack Amazon.de December 2022) and it matched very well a battery slot of my VL70m Patchman and I have heard that click that also sounded like a music for me. Small hint, for consideration. Since I had 2 batteries in pack I attached 2nd battery inside to the bottom cover from inside. I used 2 screws in the middle of the bottom cover to attach 2nd battery in sealed plastic original pack (I took out all paper part of the pack), covered that plastic container with double aluminium tape and screwed it to the bottom cover from inside. When installed CR2450 will be used one day I will always have a second reserve battery kept inside of the body of VL. If that 2nd battery still works at that future installation time I will have some time after installation to search for a fresh battery if this kind of batteries will still be produced in 5-10 years.

[@david-el-melky]

Thanks so much George for your feedback, and you're detailed information is VERY useful, having stored the second battery inside is a clever idea indeed and I'm sure it'll be considered by many. I will look for the Varta brand myself and have extra spares assuming they have long expiry date?

[@yzimsx]

Varta CR 2450 from a local supermarket was a perfect replacement. Thanks for the video!

[@david-el-melky]

I'm glad that you've found one, it looks like the Varta is the answer from what all those who tested it are saying. Thanks so much for confirming 😀

[@yzimsx]

@@david-el-melky Thanks to your video and the comments, I walked to the supermarket and picked up a Varta CR 2450, opened up the VL70-m and replaced the battery... quick and easy. The original battery lasted for over 20 years, so I think I'll be good for awhile now. :) My VL70-m didn't get too much use after the initial "wow", because the sound felt a little bit artificial after all. But now, it's the other way around, and "artificial" feels more like a complement.

[@david-el-melky]

@@yzimsx I agree with you all the way, I was hoping that Yamaha would produce a better replacement but so far no valid or better one that I could use, I don't think I could do without the VL-70m anymore. The funny thing about replacing the battery is, the first thing I tried here in Sydney is the Varta but it didn't fit, I'm not sure if the ones are here are "older" or "newer" design but after I replaced mine I hear a lot about Varta being the pecfect fit, you see, the one I've used and fit perfectly wasn't good in other countries, something funny about it 😄

[@yzimsx]

​@@david-el-melky I'm in Finland, so maybe we get the stuff from a different factory. The Varta lookes pretty much identical to the original, mushroom top etc.

[@david-el-melky]

@@yzimsx I believe you're right, because the one I saw here had similar shape but thicker top and thinner bottom, when looking at it you'd think it's OK but it wasn't, it needs to be roughly half/half to be able to sink the bottom all the way and have the lock click over the top

[@ronhowe5933]

Yup, as others here, I used a Varta 2450 Lithium replacement. Also, I opened up the VL70 to see what battery it used and left the battery out for quite some time while I luckily found a new one I already had. The memory was not lost so, I assume Yamaha had the forthought to use Non Volatile Memory (NVM). Good for them and why Yamaha is good value for money in the long-term I guess. Just note that on the back, there are two self tapping screws either side of the midi ports, and one fine thread engineering screw by the Jack outputs, so don't get them mixed up.

[@david-el-melky]

Thank you for your input, truly appreciated, and I'm glad to hear and confirm about the Varta 2450 fits well. In regards to the memory, great to know that you don't have to be in a rush to do it because lots of users get worried about it and I read about some would leave it powered for that reason and that is something I would NOT recommend, and now you've confirmed that. As for the screws, you're right that's why I keep them apart because it's easy to get lost concentrating on the important part 😀 Again, I want to thank you for sharing your experience.

[@petrlopour5674]

Greetings from Czech Republic. Very useful and clear video. Thanks a lot! VARTA CR2450 bought in a normal shop works perfectly as well.

[@david-el-melky]

Thanks so much for your comment, and I'm glad to know that the VARTA CR2450 worked, very useful information, thanks for sharing 🙂

[@ondrejrudcenko9483]

Thanks for the video. The suggested Ansmann battery which I bought here in Germany (Sept. 2022) is different and does not really work - it is just cylindric all the way to the bottom. But I have found out that VARTA CR2450 (blue-silver blister - bought at Amazon, Sept 2022) fits very well, it has narrower bottom (although not as narrow as the original FDK) clicks beautifully in the holder and jumps easily out of the holder when needed.

[@david-el-melky]

That's good news, glad it worked, thanks so much for sharing. I'm sure many will benefit from your experience 😊

[@newfuf1903]

Thank you so much ! You save my time, my vl70m and my Patcman turbo !!😅👍

[@david-el-melky]

Thank you for letting me know, I'm glad to hear that it helped 😀

[@fotmasta]

My Tinqiu 3v would not click in place. I really pushed on it and the logic board was flexing. I gave up and put a little tape on it. I have a second battery coming from a different source. My VL-70 powered up with no issues so far.

[@david-el-melky]

The only thing you need to worry about when your battery isn't clicking, is not to push hard and crack the board or something and when you get the new battery be gentle on pulling it out so you don't end up damaging the casing. for me it's a scary thing to apply pressure more than it needs, it should work but as I wouldn't recommend it, hopefully the new one you're getting would be a better fit. Thanks so much for your feedback, truly appreciated 😊

[@fotmasta]

@@david-el-melky thank you David. Your video helped me. This VL70 is such a strange unique beast. It’s kinda sad there are no more breath control devices out there.

[@david-el-melky]

@@fotmasta you're so right, it's shame we can't find the controller for it, I cherish mine for that reason

[@fotmasta]

The Varta battery arrived from Germany last week. It fit with a nice click. I swapped out the Tinqiu. Go for the Varta.

[@david-el-melky]

@@fotmasta Here you go, I'm so glad to hear that, it looks like the Varta is the one. Thanks so much for the update 😀

[@jamesdavidson1320]

Vinnic CR2450 seems to fit and work perfectly. It is a mushroom top battery sold in Oregon, USA at Batteries Plus. I had no issues installing the battery and it performs as it should in the Yamaha VL-70m.

[@david-el-melky]

Wow, I'm glad to hear that there are some other batteries in that shape and fit perfectly, thanks so much for your advise, many will find it very useful. Truly appreciated.😁

[@TooSlowTube]

@@david-el-melky I just bought a 2 pack of Energizer CR2450 Lithium batteries, and fitted one in my recently acquired 2nd VL70m. So far, so good. It retained the memory contents while I changed it, which made me skeptical that it was still just running on charge on a capacitor, but it still works the next day, so hopefully that's it. The expiry date is 2032. They're made in Indonesia, and it says this in the bottom left corner, on the back of the packet: CR2450 3V-3B UPN-165585 I can't find any by googling the UPN, but that might be useful if you can get a seller to read the packet to you, or show a close up of it.

[@david-el-melky]

@@TooSlowTube thanks so much for your input I truly appreciate it. I'm glad it worked because I too found one of those Energisers that looked similar but yet to try it, I'll put an update once I tried it, Energiser batteries also have different designs so hopefully this one works like yours 😊

[@TooSlowTube]

@@david-el-melky You're welcome. Short story long, the first time I put it in, I was trying to use a plastic glue spreader between the edge of the battery and the sprung +ve contact, because I've discovered that this sort of clip can short out this sort of battery, due to the step shape of the edge of the battery. It doesn't kill them completely, but the voltage drops measurably, compared to what it was before. I couldn't get the battery in using that method in this type of clip though (as opposed to some new clips I bought, that are slightly different), so I gave up and pushed it in as fast as I could... It popped back out, but I did it a second time and it fitted properly, so there's a knack to it. It might be worth looking for a very thin strip of plastic which you can put in to cover the positive contact of the clip, but strong enough to pull out while you hold the battery down. Test fitting a battery on my new, spare clips, I took quite a bit of life off the one I'd taken out of the VL70m by resting it in place then pushing it down. Maybe they use a special tool at the factory, or maybe the Yamaha clip is a better design, but it seems like an inherent problem - the top of the clip contact has to be angled, and the underside of the battery is stepped, so briefly shorting with the clip terminal seems almost unavoidable, without something in between to stop it.

[@david-el-melky]

@@TooSlowTube mmm, that's interesting, I never had this issue but something to look out for 🤔

[@marcelmaes5275]

Thank you. Don't need it at the moment, but I glad to know this exists. And a lot easier then replacing the batterij on the SY99

[@david-el-melky]

Of course, I don't know what I'll do if I can't find a replacement 😀

[@georgezip3628]

I found a Varta CR2450 also fitted and worked. Thanks for your video.

[@david-el-melky]

I'm glad to hear that, it looks like lots of Varta batteries are fitting fine 😊 thanks for sharing 😊

[@stevejackson1435]

Thanks for your video. Like others, I ffound that the Ansmann battery had a different profile to the original. However, it CAN be made to work. CAREFULLY bend up the centre contact in the battery holder so it is rather more elevated. Push the Ansmann battery under the plastic lugs, and gently press down. The battery will lock onto the outer metal clip. It will not sit flush but at an angle, but is secure and will work fine. Maybe not ideal, but beter than no function!

[@david-el-melky]

Thank you for your feedback, it's very helpful, and it is sad how the company went and changed their battery profile like so many, it was the perfect fit. anyway, I'm still looking for a final solution of finding the right fit for it and the soon I find it I'll put some update :)

[@gianfrancoorizio3981]

Many thanks David. Great video. Now I've got again my VL70. It works very good..

[@david-el-melky]

I'm glad it helped, thanks for letting me know. 😊 Just out of curiosity, which battery did you install? Did you find the same brand I used?

[@alphabeets]

The best part of this, you have the great Patchman Music TURBO upgrade in yours!

[@david-el-melky]

Yes, of course 😀

[@andrelafreniere8604]

Much appreciated, thanks

[@patrickdaly2361]

I am a long time trying to get info on vl70m battery replacement. I have 4 of them.and use them with the yam wx11 and wx5. I think the vl70m was one of the best sound modules ever produced for wind synths,I recently purchased the Roland ae30,disappointing apart from the keys being noisy and child toy like.the sounds would not come next or near to the vl70m If their is anything out there that comes near the vl70m please let me know.thanks again for the battery info.

[@david-el-melky]

Thank you for your comment. You're are right about that and I'm always looking for a replacement or something better but as you've mentioned nothing has come around yet. Again thanks for sharing your experience with the Roland, it's good to know what's out there :)

[@gianfrancoorizio3981]

Exactly the same one. Thanks again

[@IMOXPLUS]

Very good video... really appreciated.... I will further share this with my VL users..

[@david-el-melky]

Thanks so much 😊👍

[@applegrovebard]

I recently tried using my old VL 70m and a battery low message came up on the screen. Following this video I sourced an Ansmann CR2450 3V from an Ebay UK store (I'm in UK). The packaging is identical to in the video but unfortunately on opening it, it's the wrong shape- it's like the Renata you show. So I'm still looking for the right battery... I've opened my VL70 and the old battery is FDK CR2450y. A different profile from the Ansmann I've sourced.

[@david-el-melky]

I'm not sure if I understood correctly, you're saying that the Ansmann battery you bought was different than the one I bought ? If that's the case it either they changed their design prior to mine and you got an older version, or they changed their design after my version. Would you please do me a favour and read me the expiry date on it? To see which one is newer? And if it's possible to take a profile photo? It's interesting to know what's going on, I thought we found a manufacturer 🤔

[@applegrovebard]

@@david-el-melky Hi David- yes I am saying that the Ansmann battery I bought is a different profile from the one in your video and doesn't fit (it doesn't have the narrower diameter underside required). Its best before date is 03-2026. If you wish I could take photos and send to your email. Here is the page on ebay where I bought it: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Ansmann-CR2450-3V-Lithium-Coin-Cell-Battery-2450-DL2450-BR2450/302412098463?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[@david-el-melky]

That's older than mine, the date on mine 2029 🤔 I'm going to contact the manufacturer to see what they have to say,

[@applegrovebard]

@@david-el-melky It's confusing and a pity if they are selling different shaped batteries under the same name.. And of course pictures in webstores are not usually going to be detailed enough to let you see exactly what you're getting. Thanks for your efforts in this matter.

[@david-el-melky]

Sorry, I had a mistake in regards to date, mine is newer as it says 2029, but if you can take few profile clear pictures, this way I can send it alongside with mine to explain to the manufacturer what I mean because most of people who answers emails don't have a clue 😉

[@Macdim1980]

Nice. I wonder if the same process is for Yamaha MU50.

[@david-el-melky]

I'm not sure, I never owned one, but I'm assuming it's similar, the only way to find out is to open it, but please bear in mind that the Ansmann company don't do this model anymore, you might have to find out and confirm the shape before buying.

[@markrosovsky9392]

Tianqiu CR2430 DL2430 2430 Lithium 3V Coin Cell Batteries. fits perfectly with a nice click

[@david-el-melky]

Yes of course, all 2430 fit well but half the charge, I have this as a plan B. Thanks so much for your input 😉👍

[@patrickdaly2361]

Hi David,spoke to you recently having successfully replaced the VL70M Battery,in your reply you stated that the battery (cr2430) I fitted would not last as long as the original,I would say the original battery I replaced must be about 15 or 20 years old,so even if the new battery only lasted a 1/2 or a 1/3 of that time that’s certainly still a good time span. Just thinking would that length of time be the norm for the original battery,or does it depend on how often it is used ? You might let me know what you think. All the best,Patrick.

[@david-el-melky]

Hi Patrick, the life spam of mine is similar to yours and yes that's a long time so even half of it is fine to me too, regarding the "use/battery life" not really sure, but I use to use it daily and lasted that long, so I'm very pleased with that :)

[@paulvonjankozuehren5037]

Thanks a lot for your very valuable informations. Since Ansmann doesn´t produce them in the right size anymore, do you know, where to find a fitting replacement today, the 6th of april 2021 ? Thank you for any hints, even if they should come after decades. And Thanks again !

[@david-el-melky]

I'm glad you found it helpful, I'm still looking for a proper and replacement battery, and I'll update it as soon as I find anything, hopefully soon 😊

[@ondrejrudcenko9483]

@@david-el-melky Hello David, hello Paul, as I wrote above, the VARTA CR2450 bought in September 2022 at Amazon (German, but the battery is made in China) works perfectly.

[@david-el-melky]

@@ondrejrudcenko9483 I'm glad to hear that, and thank you for sharing your feedback, at least we know not to give up hope 😊 and many will benefit from your experience 😊

[@alexzocholl2842]

@@ondrejrudcenko9483can you go into your order history and find the ASIN of the battery from Varta? The hint with the blue/silver might be misleading if they update the packaging design

[@marionchabrol883]

Very good and usefull tutorial, thank you !

[@david-el-melky]

I'm pleased to know that you find it useful, thanks for letting me know :)

[@松原晃則]

How about renata CR2450N? I'll order it.

[@david-el-melky]

Renata CR2450N doesn't fit well, can't go down all the way, it stays diagonal, but it might connect, bit risky.

[@松原晃則]

@@david-el-melky Thank you for your advice!

[@david-el-melky]

@@松原晃則 no problem at all, hope you find the right battery 😊👍

[@peterwilliams6289]

Thank you so much, David, for this video. Enormously helpful. With the correct battery virtually unavailable, I used a CR2430 (thanks Mark) and if I need to change it more often, so be it. I found I have no means of backing up such old technology, so I took the chance to just change the battery quickly and it appears to have worked fine. (My backup plan was buying a new Roland sound module and the software for it to support the WX5 from Patchman Music in the US, the same company I bought some of my VL70m sounds from. But that was much more expensive in time and money than being able to keep my VL70m.)

[@david-el-melky]

Thanks so my for letting me know, and yes the CR2430 will work because it's bit thinner and until we find better option I think we should stick with that. :)

[@TooSlowTube]

You can back up your INT and CUST voices, with VL70-m Dumper, before doing the battery swap, if you have Windows. I've used it on XP and Win 7. It's on swingingsoft.free.fr - I'd give a proper link, but my post would probably just get auto-deleted. It's been happening far too often, lately.

[@david-el-melky]

That's right, I use it to back up but thankfully I didn't need it during the replacement :)

[@TooSlowTube]

@@david-el-melky Cool. Did you do the battery test, in the service manual? I'm wondering how easy it is to start the SRAM test by mistake, because that's the first one, in test mode, oddly. It doesn't say whether it's destructive, but that's how memory tests tended to work. So, I probably ought to do a full backup first.

[@david-el-melky]

@@TooSlowTube it's not easy to run it by mistake, I did try it but it kept going for many hours so I ended up stopping it, I tried it on 2 machines, I must be doing something wrong 🤔

[@TooSlowTube]

@@david-el-melky Did the memory contents survive? On some Yamaha machines of that period, you have to go through one test to get to be able to run the next one. I think the WT11 was probably the worst, for that, and it wasn't all that well explained. It's left me with PTSD, I think :) I have a feeling like I'm dealing with an unexploded bomb, when I look at a Yamaha test menu now.

[@david-el-melky]

@@TooSlowTube to be honest, I backed up my internal memory bank expecting to lose it, but I was very quick in replacing the battery and haven't lost anything, considering I've had to do ot too many times trying to fit different batteries, but please note, everytime I try one that it doesn't fit I would put the original back till I get a different battery ready, so I never had it without battery for more than couple seconds. Having said that, please Backup your machine just incase I was a lucky one

[@davidgosnell8928]

Another thumbs-up for the Varta CR2450, Amazon code B06X1G8XSB. Though I cancelled that and instead bought from Screwfix (code 643PH) today for immediate collection at a sweeter price. Fitted with a beautifully resonant click (I can see now why you made such a deal of this!) and the low battery warning message has duly gone. Did swap in under ten seconds without power connected, no trouble, and seems all settings retained. Blister pack expiry date 02-2032. Thank you for the video and to all your helpful commenters!

[@david-el-melky]

Wow, I'm so glad that we could find a Varta CR2450 as a replacement, and I truly thank you for your experience, very helpful. I'm glad you found my video beneficial, very encouraging 😁🙏