All thing about changing a battery

Question

First post here...thanks in advance for your insights. I have read a bunch of past posts and threads here regarding the replacement of an Ipod mini (one with the white plastic top and bottom).
First of all I want to do this myself. I have read that some have broken there ipod replacing the battery, but this thing is old, and I need some adventure.
First of all the battery itself. I understand it is a EC003? What is the best one to get and where online. I would like to spend less than $20 on one. Is is worth getting a 850mAh or is 400 okay? Should I stay away from *ebay? I read forum there that said some auctions sell bum batteries. They seem pretty cheap there.
Any links to good tutorials?
Let's here your experiences.

Answer 1

Hi All,
This is my own results post of sorts, relavent things I learned while changing the Ipod mini battery.
As mentioned above there are all sorts of links related to this subject, discussion, picture and even video tutorials.
After reading/watching I did my own successfully with a EC003 battery purchased from Amazon for approx $12 (with two screw drivers and instructions) shipping included.
First thing, before removing the plastic ends, look for the area with the most significant gap to get your tool in. I used my own tiny flat (smaller than the one provided) jewelers screw driver to breach the gap. Without prying, just get underneath and gently lift it enough to get a fingernail underneath it. I was able to hold it up with a fingernail and slowly move the fingernail in position around the perimeter and until it popped right off. Do not work it off from just one area as you could break it in half. I could see only a small blemish on the plastic and a slight almost inperseptable blem on the case sight. If you use a small screwdriver as described on the directions and around the web you will certainly make the plastic ends pretty marred in my opinion. Also the anodizing on the alumium case will also come of easily where a screwdriver contacts it. If you can't get your fingernail underneath it, use something plastic and flat that is as thin as a fingernail. Just trying to save the appearance of your mini folks!
Next, pay close attention to how others in tutorials are removing the click wheel connector from the logic board. This is a procedure to disconnect the click wheel done before pushing the the logic and everything else out of the top of the case. The study the connectors very carefully in the picture or videos to determine what to actually pull out or pry on. I could see how this could be damaged very easily.
Now, here is where I ran into issues with my disassembly not discussed or described by anyone. Upon attempting to push the logic board and everything attached out the top of the case, I could only get it to move out about 5 or 7mm then it stop. After pushing it back into position, I pushed it back out a few only to come out about 10mm. At this point I became frustrated and almost resorted to force, so I went to go have lunch. If I contined the extraction this certainly would have yeilded undesirable results. Before I left, I put it in a ziplock bag and stuck it in the refidgerator (yes the fridge, more later). After some tasty Asian cuisine, my pushing thumb was no longer as raw. I removed it from ziplock bag and let the mini get some air to prevent any condensation. Now back to pushing gently but pressure from the bottom with my thumb. It moved out even more, but still needed to pushing it back in and out, you get the idea. It finally came out! On closer examination, the original Ipod battery attached was bowed or bulging which, when inside was wedging the battery against back of the case. Wheeew. So, now remove the old battery, again look at tutorial pics or vids carefully to determine how to disengage the battery cable connector, again, in my opinion very easily damaged if pryed or pulled incorrectly. In retrospect, the core of the battery was probably swollen by heat and by cooling it down probably shrank it enough to get it out of the case.
Next revelation. The battery I purchased was slightly dimensionally wider (not girth). I looks like it will fit in (almost). Another item to keep your eye on - the top end with the earplug recepticle and hold button is its own intergrated component piece. When I slotted in the slighly larger battery, the component became unpluged from the logic board. At first I thought it broke off. I plugged it gently back in. After refitting the battery, the whole component slid back in and seated in the proper place in the case. In my research no one really mentioned anything about slight variation in battery size or to watch the connector on the earplug/hold botton component.
It all went back together as originally assembled. It fired up and the click wheel worked as it should on a low battery charge. Before the battery replacement, I noticed the screen had an area with a small smudge bloch. With the new battery this is now gone. I think the old battery must have been putting pressure on the back of the screen (my own theory).
I have not tested it to see how long the battery life will be..........
In summary, I think you have to have some handy ability with jewelers screw drivers, finesse, and some small circuit board common sense. Above all, have a web reference that shows the process in as much close-up detail of each step, and take your time. You should be fine. Do it. Good luck.