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Orion Battery Replacement

From the Ten-Tec Reflector August 3, 2009

The SNAPHAT battery pack is available from Ten-Tec ($10 + $6 shipping) and Digi-Key ($8.19 + $8 shipping). I'm just not sure which version is used in the Orion the 48 mAh or 120 mAh (T-T didn't specify). It looks like both will plug into the same socket the only difference is height with the 120 slightly thicker.

I'm about to place an order with Digi so I'll probably go that route.

73, Rick VE7TK


August 4, 2009

The Orion's battery is shown in the 565 Version 2 firmware mod documentation for: Orion V2 Logic Mod.

The battery is visible in the picture labeled Step 6. The battery is the Yellow rectangular block "snapped" onto the IC on the left of the photo.

73, Rick VE7TK


I will be ordering the larger battery made by STMicroelectronics M4T32-BR12SH1. (Pay particular attention to section 4.4 and care with applying too much pressure inserting the battery and the use of a DIP extractor tool to remove the battery (Figure 4).)

Digi-Key part number: 497-3687-5-nd

Digi-Key page: http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/605224-ic-snaphat-batt-crystal-28-soic-m4t32-br12sh1.html

73, Rick VE7TK http://www3.telus.net/ve7tk/


The standard battery supplied by Ten-Tec is STM M4T28-BR12SH1

Barry N1EU


Info provided by Russ K3RH to the Orion reflector, 2/13/2012

I just had to replace my 565 battery. In case you need to replace yours here's some helpful information and photos.

The yellow rectangle on the left of the inside front panel is the battery. Ten Tec said battery colors could vary so yours may be different.

I found it helpful to use an IC extractor to remove the old battery; the replacement battery snaps in with just a little pressure. Observe battery orientation prior to removal and insert the replacement accordingly.

My suggestion is to lay the rig on something soft, remove top and bottom covers, set the radio upside down, remove half the screws holding front panel. Then turn radio right side up and elevate the sides about ¾ inch to give room for the front panel to swing downward and outward. You do not want to move the radio after the front panel has been removed.

Then remove the remaining front panel screws and pull the front panel out carefully.

Observe the yellow battery on the left, it is not necessary to unplug any front panel connections.

Needless to say all your menu settings will be gone, so write them down before battery replacement as necessary.

Upon initial restart I had no audio output until I did a ram and master reset at least twice (possibly three times) before the radio would function normally. I nearly put my finger thru the speaker cone while turning the radio over so be careful handling the radio.

The battery cost was $9.00 plus $3.00 shipping, your mileage may vary, comes to about a dollar a year for memory retention.

(click on any image to see high resolution)


Info provided by Peter OZ1PIF/5Q2M to the Orion reflector, 14Jan17

To make the switch you need the following tools:

A #10 Torx screwdriver for the 18 black screws on the rear, (don't use the small angled Torx tool delivered with the Orion, it'll drive you insane)

A #1 Phillips screwdiver for the four large screws on the side

A #0 Phillips screwdriver for the 14 (I think) screws holding the front to the main chassis

You'll also need a suitable tool to extract the Snaphat battery, it sits rather tight and can't be pulled by fingers only.

The trick is to power up the radio once you have taken it apart and positioned it for the battery switch, once the boot is completed you can safely pull the old battery and fit the new one, while at it, I switched the CR2015 battery in the tuner as well, mostly to avoid the risk of age related leakage at some point. Now you can turn off the radio again and reassemble everything.

(N1EU note: Peter's method of replacing the battery with rig powered on will prevent the loss of rig configuration settings)


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