How do I open this? Also, Dexcom sucks.

[Dubb]

So a few years ago I shelled out $800+ for a Dexcom continuous blood glucose monitor - I used it for a few weeks to help calibrate my insulin pump, and then put it in a closet - it's kind of a pain in the ass (and expensive) to use 24/7 for any great length of time.

Now time to re-calibrate, so I dig it out and plug it in to charge, but it's dead. I figure it just needs a new battery (internal, not user accessible), so I call tech support. Response?

"I'm sorry, these devices are disposable products only intended to last about a year and half. I can connect you to a sales rep if you'd like to buy a new one."

excuse me? Nobody told me it was "disposable" when I bought it, and there's no reason for it to be. It costs $800, doesn't last as long as a freebie cell phone, and you can't even replace a battery for me? And I thought Apple was bad.

No way I'm giving them any more money. I can only assume the battery is some stock Chinese lithium part. So how do I open this to see what the battery is? I've tried prodding and twisting a screwdriver at the seam (like opening an ipod) but that gets me nowhere, and I can't find a tab anywhere in that little opening on the narrow end.

help?

 

[dbk]

Do you see any screws?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Cases like that are sometimes glued or plasti welded shut... Lightly pry around the edges, sorta pushing in to release the tabs while prying up a bit, but you might have to destroy the case to get inside.


Any stickers on the back with screws underneath?

 

[destrekor]

Woah, that's just wrong.

I'm assuming this is something the company expects insurance to cover? If so, the price, while still not at all justified, then makes sense. Insurance pays part of the cost of diabetic equipment, yes?

 

[alkemyst]

Do you see any screws?

I am thinking he is pretty well screwed already.

 

[dbk]

http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/dexcomusers/forum/topics/planned-obsolescence?commentId=583967%3AComment%3A947804 scroll to the 3rd post from the bottom

 

[Dubb]

here's back and front, I couldn't find any screws, even under the label. I went around the seam with a screwdriver again, did some damage but didn't get anywhere.

Destrekor -

insurance would probably cover most of a new one these days, but they didn't back when I bought it - the devices were too new at the time. They're also less expensive now than they used to be, though the consumables (test sites) are still pricey - which is part of the reason I want to use this one. I'm not sure if the consumables I have (about $400 worth) will work with a new device.

But really I just don't want such a crappy company to get any more money out of me, even if insurance covers it.

 

[Dubb]

http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/dexcomusers/forum/topics/planned-obsolescence?commentId=583967%3AComment%3A947804 scroll to the 3rd post from the bottom

interesting - that's talking about a newer model than I have, so I can only assume the torx heads on that one are in place of the shiny divots I have on mine.

I'm thinking it's probably glued together.

 

[l0cke]

interesting - that's talking about a newer model than I have, so I can only assume the torx heads on that one are in place of the shiny divots I have on mine.

I'm thinking it's probably glued together.

Or it could be epoxy covering the screws.

Too bad you can't x-ray it.

 

[Dubb]

Or it could be epoxy covering the screws.

Too bad you can't x-ray it.

I just had the same thought and started scraping at one of the divots with a knife. Looks like a screw but will take some work to get it accessible.

edit: bingo. std. phillips head covered with epoxy. now for the other 3.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Yeah those 4 circles are screws. You might try chipping it out or grinding it carefully with a dremel stone.

 

[SooperDave]

Those divets are there for a reason. I'm betting epoxied at those spots. Get out the sawzall :awe:

 

[Skitzer]

Hey Dubb, got it open yet? I'm curious to see what type of battery it uses.
I was thinking ...... if you haven't used it in over a year or so ....... wouldn't the old battery still be good? Those little batteries last forever don't they?
Don't forget the pics!

 

[Dubb]

Drill + knife worked well. Thanks guys!

now to go googling for one of these:

 

[Dubb]

Hey Dubb, got it open yet? I'm curious to see what type of battery it uses.
I was thinking ...... if you haven't used it in over a year or so ....... wouldn't the old battery still be good? Those little batteries last forever don't they?
Don't forget the pics!

I was wondering about that too, it's had very little use, but hasn't been charged in 2+ years.

Multimeter says 3.8v coming out of the old pack.

 

[ravana]

I would tag this thread with the make and model, so that the interwebs can benefit from the awesomeness that is ATOT.

 

[l0cke]

Looks like a pretty standard li-ion battery.

Something like this (depending on physical size)

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=339

If you need a separate charger, Sparkfun has one for $20.

 

[Dubb]

well, the battery is a 3.7v SAEHAN SPB473352A, but I can't find anywhere to buy one easily.

Further, it reads 3.8v on a multimeter, and gets a little warm when plugged into the charger, so I'm thinking the pack itself is actually OK.

there's another button cell on the pcb - right now I'm wondering what that's for, and if that might be causing the problem.

 

[Dubb]

Looks like a pretty standard li-ion battery.

Something like this (depending on physical size)

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=339

If you need a separate charger, Sparkfun has one for $20.

nice- same size and higher capacity -original is 800mAh...but right now I'm thinking the pack wasn't the problem.

hmmm.