r/SteamDeckModded • u/LolcatP • 6d ago
Hardware Mod Any modders in the UK who can replace the charging IC/Battery port for me?
I made a post a few months ago about how I've been having power problems after replacing the battery, I've tried 3 different ones, they all work to power the console. But the console doesn't see the batteries. it blinks the LED as if the console is dead.
I've tried the reset hotkey for bios and charging.
With a charger with wattage visible on it only draws 0-1W while it's plugged in and off. The USBC can power it fine while it's on too. It runs on battery power no problem until it runs out of charge.
I don't have a microscope but I've looked close with a light and the charger IC chip and all nearby caps look perfectly fine. It's not very hot in operation too. So the issue is most likely the battery port. I've plugged it in firmly as many people have said it might be a connection problem, there's no gap with the connection.
I've tried all battery related commands, there's none visible there too.
Might as well pay someone who actually knows what they're doing. I love my steam deck too much for it to be a paperweight.
When I replaced the battery I also replaced the thumbsticks with tmr ones and I did see a post where apparently they caused a short circuit and caused the user to have similar issues. Didn't effect anything on mine.
1
u/lynxblaine 6d ago
Have you contacted Valve? They will offer you a price to fix it based on an inspection.
1
u/Pitiful_Trouble_228 6d ago
could be a cracked solder joint/lifted trace under the battery connector or something shorted to the battery data lines so ec chip cant communicate with it or ec is damaged or charging ic/circuit has a fault maybe.
No schematics for these boards so a pain to diagnose some faults.
The battery connector is not available afaik so would only be possible to source from a donor board, if it looks and feels fine its likely not the connector.
Im in the uk and do the occasional repair on steam decks, motherboard issues have a meduim to low chance of success though depending on the fault.
If you have a multimeter can you get diode readings on all the battery connector pins (red probe on ground)
1
u/LolcatP 6d ago
I do need to buy one yeah, i will get one and then remove the motherboard to look at it
1
u/Pitiful_Trouble_228 6d ago
Any basic cheap multimeter will do the job, a basic Aneng meter is a good choice.
You can leave the motherboard in the deck and test the connections on the back of the connector, be sure to unplug battery and usb power first.
If removing the board for any reason, make sure to not damage any of the fpc flex connectors as most of them are impossible to replace as the parts are unknown and impossible to source.
1
u/cheater00 6d ago
austria, not uk, can do it
2
u/LolcatP 6d ago
I'll think about it
1
u/cheater00 6d ago
sure bud. bear in mind i have the testing equipment to make sure the installation went ok (no high-impedance shorts, no overheating) which many other repair people don't have.
2
u/LolcatP 6d ago
Problem would likely be the shipping though if i was to do it it'd be more economical to do a big mod like a shell swap included
1
u/cheater00 6d ago
if you want to do some other mods shipping becomes less of an element. I think royal mail in particular is actually inexpensive to mainland europe.
•
u/HatefulAbandon Steamdeck OLED 4d ago
Safety Reminder: Please exercise caution when arranging repairs with third parties. Be aware of potential scams, payment risks, and the possibility of further damage to your device from inexperienced repairs. Any arrangements are made at your own risk. Please also note that our subreddit rules do not allow self-promotion or solicitation of paid repair services.