Elektron - Machinedrum CMOS battery Replacement

Lets replace the CMOS battery on the trusty old Elektron Machinedrum, be aware that there are two different batteries based on your Machinedrum model. To find out which kind of battery you need, you have to take the machine apart first. Lets start

First we have to take off the encoder and potentiometer knobs, you can ignore the big one. If they are stuck you can use a heat gun on the lowest setting, or a hair dryer, to warm them slightly up. Be careful not to heat damage them

Remove the 6 screws that holds the front panel in place, you have to use a TORX T10H here. Then lift off the front panel

We are now inside, remove the 12 screws that holds the user interface PCB in place. You have to use a TORX T10H here

Carefully lift the user interface pcb a little bit, and rest it on some non-conducting standoffs, i'm using the iFixit Opening Tool, they are perfect here. Remove the two power supply connectors market in red 🔴

Tip the user interface PCB to a 90° angle and remove the volume connector, then take out the whole PCB

Remove the I/O connector and the PSU connector carefully

Remove the 4 screws, marked in red 🔴, holding the PCU PCB, and take it out. You need a Phillips PH1 for this. And ignore the screw marked in blue 🔵

This is the CPU board where the battery is located, in this case the battery is soldered in, but in newer models they have a CR2450 slot. If your model has that, replace the battery, reassemple and you are done. If your model has a soldered in CR2450, continue the guide

With a small flush cutter, cut the legs on the battery marked in red 🔴

Put the PSU PCB in a holder (if you have one) and desolder the legs, and remove them. You need a soldering iron, solder flux, solder wick, solder sucker and a small plier here. Be careful not to damage the IC's. Never go over 350°C/666°F, it can damage the IC's and the compound between the copper pads and PCB

Pop the new CR2450 battery in, solder it in place, reassemble the unit and you are done 👏