As you may know, the Sega Dreamcast was outfitted with a rechargable ML2020 Lithium battery. Released in 1998, the console (and battery) are now 22 years old.
It’s not surprising then, that the battery in your console probably won’t take a charge any longer, and you’ll be asked to input a date and time every time you boot it up.
There are two easy solutions
When fixing the battery in your Dreamcast, there are two methods to consider.
Method 1: Install a new rechargable Lithium battery
Method 2: Remove the charging capabilities, and install a non-recharagble Lithium battery
Method 1 is actually slightly easier to do, but if you’re like me and tend to play your consoles in short bursts ( < 1hour ), then you may find that even with a fresh rechargable installed you still get asked for date and time, due to the battery not having enough charge.
Note: If you decide to go this route, you must use an ML2020 or ML2032 which need around 3.2v to charge. If you use an LIR2032, it requires 4.2v to charge, and will not charge correctly.
Method 2 is a little more complicated, because you have to prevent the console from attempting to charge the non-rechargable battery, but it’s also very convinent (and cheap) to replace CR2032 batteries as they run out of juice. With this method, playtime doesn’t matter, and if you’re into old consoles, you’ve probably already got some CR2032 batteries lying around. If not, they are very cheap, usually about $0.40 each.
In this guide, I will show you how to perform Method 2, and with that knowledge you will be set up to do whichever method you desire.
Parts List
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Vertical 2025/2032 Battery Holder | 1 |
| CR2032 Battery | 1 |
| BAT85S Schottky Diode | 1 |
Tool List
- Phillips Head Screwdriver
- Soldering Iron
- Solder Flux
- Solder Braid/Wick
- Solder
- Flush Cutters
Step 1: Disassembly
Remove the modem from the side of your dreamcast by pressing in gently on the tab at the bottom and pulling outwards towards the side.
Then, remove the 4 screws holding the top case on.
Next, unplug the fan, and remove the 4 screws that hold in the controller ports. Unplug the ribbon cable and remove the controller PCB from the case. This is all you’ll need, so set the case and remainder of the Dreamcast aside.
Step 2: Remove the old battery
Apply some flux and fresh solder to the old battery, and remove it with your solder wick. Don’t force it and take your time, and it should come out easily. Alternatively, you can snip the legs off it, and use your soldering iron and some tweezers to remove each leg individually.
Step 3: Install the diode
In order to ensure that the dreamcast does not attempt to charge our non-rechargable battery, we need to install a diode in-line with the resisor to prevent the charge from reaching the battery. If you’re installing a rechargable battery, skip this step.
Clip the leg of the resistor as shown in the photo, then use your soldering iron and wick to remove the leg that you cut off.
Next, have a look at your diode. Make sure you’re installing it with the cathode (black stripe) facing downwards! If you install it the other way, it will do nothing.
Prep your diode by cutting the anode leg short, applying flux and tinning the end of it with fresh solder. Then you can insert the cathode leg into the hole where the resistor went, and solder it into place on the resistor, and the PCB.
Step 4: Install new battery holder
Install the battery holder where the old battery used to be. If you bought the correct battery holder, it will fit right into place where the old battery was. Use flux and solder it into place.
That’s it! Install your new battery and assemble your Dreamcast the same way you disassembled it. Once you boot up your console for the first time, it will ask you for the date & time, and then you will be good to go!
Good luck, and I hope this simple how-to was a help to you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please comment below, and I’d be happy to help.
Thanks for reading.
I hope you enjoy what you find on my site, and I will do my best to keep the content flowing as long as I can. Please feel free to comment anywhere on the site, as I would love to hear from you.
– raskulous
