Bionicle 4288205 Light Assembly battery replacement?

KingDave

Can anybody give me some tips on how to open a 4288205: Light Assembly so I can replace a the battery? It clearly has four snap clips on it, but I can’t seem to get them all off at the same time. There must be a technique of some sort to get the thing open, but I can’t figure it out.

I’ve been searching for an online guide (or even a video) on how to do it, but can’t find a thing.

Any suggestions?

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=54359&idColor=18#T=C&C=18

rd1899

Have you seen this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CygRt5bWwnM

560Heliport

It looks like the title could be, "Moments before the Injury..."

KingDave

I hadn't seen that video, but it does look like they are about to slice a finger off at any second.

I came up with this method last night. You will need a medium think plectrum, a 2-3mm scredriver and a 'pin' made from a paper clip.

1. wedge  the prectrum in one side of the brick.

2. Pop one of the side clips out (at the thin end).

3. Insert the pin to prevent the clip from slipping back in.

4. Use the same method to pop out the clip on the other side and push the pin all the way through.

5. When you have the thin end free, it should then be easy to pop out one clip on the round end and it will all come free.

Finger intact!

The 'trick' is to get the thin end free first and make sure it doesn't slip back in by using some sort of pin to stop it.

Astrobricks

Brand new word to me :) But is it plectrum or prectrum?

CCC

It's a plectrum.

That video ... is there is a follow up post on how to get blood stains off of transparent parts?

MinifigInSpace

This info is very helpful!

I have 5 or 6 of these parts that I randomly picked up a couple of years ago from used bulk bins. Half of them glow, and two are actually bright. I gave up replacing the batteries after I pricked myself too many times with a toothpick. This method will certainly save my fingers  ;)

cody6268

Prying with a cutting blade is a recipe for disaster. Boy Scouts, the owner's manual of the knife, Granddad, and to me, common sense all say BAD idea. 

I am going to have to get myself a few guitar picks for these jobs. I usually use Swiss Army Knife can openers to get parts like this that snap or are glued/welded together, and it kinda leaves tool marks, and would not work for many jobs, like the way this part is assembled.

Astrobricks

I’m pretty sure I could manage to draw blood even with a plectrum.

Fizyx

cody6268 said:

Prying with a cutting blade is a recipe for disaster. Boy Scouts, the owner's manual of the knife, Granddad, and to me, common sense all say BAD idea. 

I am going to have to get myself a few guitar picks for these jobs. I usually use Swiss Army Knife can openers to get parts like this that snap or are glued/welded together, and it kinda leaves tool marks, and would not work for many jobs, like the way this part is assembled.

Posted this in the finger pain thread, but going to post again here:  I highly suggest you look into some of the plectrum/spudger/prying and opening tools on iFixit.  High quality, and designed and built to be used to open up electronics for repair.  And they are definitely a fair price.  Never been unhappy with a purchase from them.