GoKawiilHobbyist repairs decade-old rechargeable bike light by replacing its battery
A writer with limited electronics experience took a set of rechargeable bike lights bought ten years ago, which now died within five minutes of a full charge, to a local makerspace to attempt a battery replacement. They cut open the silicone housing, removed screws to access the circuit board, and used a desoldering pump alongside iFixit's guide and advice from friends to detach the old battery from the board.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The project illustrates how community makerspaces and free online repair guides can lower the barrier for non-experts attempting basic electronics repair, potentially extending the life of small rechargeable devices that might otherwise be discarded. It also highlights common friction points in DIY repair, such as sealed silicone casings and unfamiliar desoldering techniques, that manufacturers rarely design around for end-user servicing.
- A decade-old rechargeable bike light failed after only five minutes despite a full charge, suggesting battery degradation.
- The repairer used a makerspace's tools and community help, including an iFixit desoldering guide, to attempt the fix.
- The process involved cutting open a silicone casing and desoldering the old battery from the circuit board.
18650 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cells — Since old rechargeable bike lights often die because the internal cell has worn out, a fresh replacement 18650 cell is exactly the kind of part needed for a repair project like this. They're commonly used in bike lights and easy to solder in once you've opened up the housing.
See 18650 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cells on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: jvns.ca — Julia Evans, 2026-09-27
Published there as: “Replacing the old battery on rechargeable bike lights”
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