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Changing the battery in a D3

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Bill McIntyre

Bill McIntyre

San Clemente, CA
Staff member
Forum Mentor
Jan 27, 2005
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I've changed mine quite a few times over the several years I've owned it, and I've always been able to unscrew the battery cover with a coin. This time it won't budge. I've used a big screwdriver, and all it will do is deform the plastic slot.

I know I've read of others having this problem, but I don't recall how they solved it, if in fact they did.

Before I tear the damn thing up, I'd appreciate any tips. I sure don't want to buy a D4.
 
Well, never mind- I think I solved it myself.

I heated the tip of a big screwdriver in the flame of a gas stove, then pressed it down into the plastic to make a new slot perpendicular to the old screwed up slot. I still had to press the thing down very hard and twist it so that I could hardly hold on to the watch to keep it from turning, but it finally budged.
 
Just to make sure Bill. You did try to turn it both ways???
I messed up my first try and had to drill it open. It works but I was very careful and the dead battery acted as a drill stop OK. I made sure to use too much lube on the new o-ring.
 
Bill said:
Just to make sure Bill. You did try to turn it both ways???
I messed up my first try and had to drill it open. It works but I was very careful and the dead battery acted as a drill stop OK. I made sure to use too much lube on the new o-ring.
Click to expand...

Yes I did. Interestingly, It would turn just a bit in the wrong (tighten) direction, but not at all in the right direction until I did my heated screwdriver trick. I'm going to use a lot of silicone on the new one.
 
Heated screw driver sounds safer than a drill or Dremel tool. Think I'll steal that off you and put it in my 'bag of tricks.
 
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