there are many Dexcom users out there with the question: "Is it possible to change the batteries of a dead transmitter?"
Yes, it is. I've successfully changed the batteries of my
7+ transmitter. Here's the step-by-step tutorial (german) with images:
It should be identically to take apart the recent G4 transmitter. This will be my next project, if someone can send me a dead one.
As a direct payer it's a lot of expense buying a new transmitter
every year! So you don't have to do it. Just reanimate your dead one -
that's the goal :)
I believe you changed the dead battery in your 7+ receiver, not the transmitter. The transmitter is the small grey piece that snaps into the top of the sensor. The transmitter battery is molded into the plastic of the unit and can't be taken apart.
This is very cool. Congratulations and thank you for sharing the photos. I've been wondering about this, and would like to try it once mine dies. What is there to lose? If the battery is dead, it's just trash anyway.
Did you have a 7+ transmitter, too? If yours is the G4, caution! The G4 is superior. You have to make a x-ray image of transmitter first.
You will see the exact position of the batteries on it.
I'm using a 7+. My transmitter is getting close to 2 years old, so I know it could die any time now, that I'm lucky it's lasted as long as it has.
Even if I never need to try to do what you did, I think it's important because a lot of people have to make-do without insurance, and hacks are a way of life for people without a lot of money.
Like i said, if someone has a dead G4 transmitter and received a new one, please send me the dead one. Postage will be paid by me. Then i can examine the G4 and make a new tutorial for everyone. Leave me a message.
Joern, could there be a better way to get a good contact with the negative end of the battery without having to solder it directly to the battery? That seems like not only will it cause some inevitable damage to the battery, that it could easily explode if overheated. Could you tell in your dissection if Dexcom had soldered the original battery, or if it had a spring type terminal on it?
Don’t worry! On the pictures you see my first trial. And yes - this trial has damaged one battery. With the second trial all went well. Make sure the soldering bolt touches the battery for only 1 second - not longer! The original battery was soldered sideways.
have you considered adding some more bits? E.g. put in rechargeable batteries, a coil and rectifier, and then you have an inductively rechargeable one. Save from taking it apart the next time. We pay $900 every 6 months for what in effect is a new battery, it's a total rort, for the price they could have had a recharge dock, or recharge clip so you can still wear it while recharging it.
the 7+ transmitter lasts about 2-3 years. So i think there is no need to insert rechargeable batteries. The G4 lasts only 6-12 months. Till now i haven't a g4 for looking inside. The g4 also transceive a signal every 5min but the signal is much stronger than the 7+. Maybe the batteries capacity is lower or there is only one battery inside? It's important to solder a high capacity battery for the replacement. I think it's impossible to sample a rechargeable induction solution in such a small device.
