Has anyone changed the battery in the LEGO Energy Meter?

[Bline]

Has anyone replaced the battery in the "energy storage" unit of the LEGO Energy Meter? It is from the LEGO Education 9688 Renewable Energy Set.

The meter is a very useful tool measuring voltage, amps, and surprisingly also energy (power x time). The reported Joules measurement can be converted to energy storage in Watt hours (where 1 Wh = 3600 J).

I made a quick on-line search on the battery change in the energy storage box, but found nothing.

It seems riveted and not intended for replacement by the manufacturer. And I don't see purchase option either. A case of planned obsolescence? Which would be ironic considering the meter is from the Renewable Energy Set.

And has anyone perhaps adapted the meter to a larger capacity battery?

[deraven]

Give the target market I wouldn't be surprised if it's not easily replaceable, but I am surprised it's not available for purchase.  Since it was such a low-production part in the first place "sold out" on Bricks and Pieces/Replacement Parts means gone forever, and with none on Bricklink it might be best to try cracking it open and replacing it yourself (and document online for others ) or purchase one on eBay ($25-50).

[dr_spock]

You can always drill out the rivets and see what's inside.  Also post some pics so we can see too. 

 

Alternatively, they are for sale on Bricklink:

9669 Energy Storage:  https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=9669-1#T=S&O={"iconly":0}

89668 battery box:  https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=89668&idColor=85#T=S&C=85&O={"color":85,"iconly":0}

 

 

 

 

[1963maniac]

Not much documentation comes with that set. A little more information can sometimes be helpful.

Check here how that gets charged. I found it to be a little tricky til you understand how it works. I have a document that I got from Lego Education called "Getting Started With the LEGO Energy Meter". It devotes a lot of time to charging and discharching.  https://www.scribd.com/document/167588476/Renewable-Energy-Quick-Start-Guide I would have thought you could still get it from Lego.

I also found these: https://le-www-live-s.legocdn.com/sc/media/files/ev3-science-activity-pack-resources/renewable-energy-element-guide-engb-3665e7c507623002ee3e620c8dafed8d.pdf

https://education.lego.com/en-us/support/machines-and-mechanisms/faqs?

[Bline]

Thanks all for the links.

There seems to be only one answer to the problem.

You remember when friends used to chant "jump, jump, jump," largely because they didn't want to go first? Ya, well... I'll just see how deep the water is first.

[DrFrankenstein]

I wouldn't buy the ones on Bricklink since they have been sitting for a long time and are likely dead at this point. Replacing the battery inside is a viable solution. Here is a helpful video from someone who did it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SAEcVq4oJY

Edited February 25, 2024 by DrFrankenstein