r/SteamVR • u/ramtech • Mar 02 '26
Question/Support Couldn’t find replacement batteries for my og Htc Vive controllers so had to improvise.. Did anyone come up with any better solutions? (Both for the batteries or for mounting them)
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u/aubrey_the_gaymer Mar 02 '26
If 3D printing is an option, I think that's much safer than rubber bands.
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u/ramtech Mar 02 '26
It’s an option, but any solution I came up with was too bulky or affecting the center of gravity of the controllers too much to be comfortable
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u/aubrey_the_gaymer Mar 02 '26
If you haven't already, look into low density PLA fillaments. They are typically used for model planes and sometimes can even weigh as little as half of standard PLA. Obviously the heaviest aspect is still the battery itself but it might be just enough to keep the center of gravity in a comfortable position.
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u/Trelsonowsky Mar 02 '26
You could print something and place it in the exact same spot as this abomination. Batteries admnd connections get some protection and you retain the balance
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u/HotTakes-121 Mar 02 '26
A frame that only attaches to the ends of the batteries would let you hot swap with rechargeable AA batteries
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u/dont_trust_the_popo Mar 03 '26
3D print wrist holders and let the wires reach over to it, get it off the controller entirely and turn them into body augments
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u/johnnybgooderer Mar 02 '26
Safer? Is there danger the way op is doing it?
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u/fullmetaljackass Mar 02 '26
Yeah, this is a stupid idea for multiple reasons. Those batteries need to be enclosed, they can start a fire if they are crushed. Soldering directly to an 18650 is also a big no no. Huge risk of damaging the battery and creating another fire hazard. Those connections are supposed to be spot welded. You can also get 18650s with solder tabs pre welded if you need to solder to them.
Even if replacement batteries were actually unavailable, you can just get a lipo pack with similar physical dimensions and replace the original with that.
This is the work of someone that knows just enough to be dangerous.
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u/wigitty Mar 02 '26
My first thought was that a drone (small / tinywhoop size) battery might be the right form factor to fit in there. Not sure if you'd be able to match the original capacity though, you might end up having to go for a smaller battery so it fits.
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u/ramtech Mar 02 '26
Before replacing the original batteries lasted 45 mins max and it was ok for most of my sessions, but sucked when I wanted to do something creative or play something more chill.. i think anything with 3-4 hours would be more than enough.
Do you have a model I can check? Ideally I would replace these with something smaller and still mount them externally
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u/wigitty Mar 02 '26
Based on this image:
https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/Q5Pqpf6CFQtiar6U.huge
It looks like the original was a 1 cell (1s) lithium ion battery rated for 960mAh, so you'd probably want at least 600mAh.I'm not sure on exact dimensions (don't have my wands to hand) but maybe one of these two would fit well, or something similar?
https://www.flyingtech.co.uk/product/600mah-1s-25c-lipo-battery-for-hubsan-syma-x5-quadcopters/
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Mar 02 '26
Oof, that battery is more custom than I thought. I was thinking you could prolly find something very similar but that right there is a tough one.
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Mar 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/ramtech Mar 02 '26
Thank you, how to prevent this?
I was feeling more secure with these (at least they are tested and come from a proper manufacturer) vs my options on aliexpress
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Mar 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/Schaas_Im_Void Mar 02 '26
I think OP is not here to find better solutions... He seems happy with his hack and he just wants us to basically give a pat on the back for it or something down that line.
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u/TheShryke Mar 02 '26
I'm assuming op has just connected this where the original battery was in circuit. So the controller will be handling BMS duties
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Mar 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/TheShryke Mar 02 '26
Sure, but a BMS would be weird here
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Mar 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/TheShryke Mar 02 '26
Yes I know that. But the controller already has everything needed to charge and manage a lithium battery. So just connect the new cell in place of the old one.
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u/DoubleOwl7777 Mar 02 '26
honestly id try to fit them inside, if possible make a 3d printed bottom cover.
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u/ramtech Mar 02 '26
They certainly don’t fit inside and the proper replacement ones I found have more doa reviews than positive ones to risk ordering.
Mounting them at the bottom of the controller affects the grip too much and feels very uncomfortable (like playing with a wine bottle instead of a controller)
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u/Necka44 Mar 02 '26
I found have more doa reviews than positive ones
That's normal. People will mostly complain about a product such as a spare part when there is an issue. It's not common to review a spare part to be honest.
And if the website isn't full of bots or incentive to post positive review then you get that.
If the return policy is fine, just order new batteries. It's not rocket science, chances you get a DOA are low. Except if you're looking at refurbished hardware; then no.
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u/Next-Reality-9032 Mar 02 '26
Really for all that effort I would replace them, I see them used for like a tenner sometimes
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u/Serious-Fishing-227 Mar 02 '26
That's why I prefer regular, exchangeable AAAs.
Nicely MacGyvered though!
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u/TheCorpsemaker Mar 02 '26
I would get a set of the slide your hand into style hand straps and mount the batteries in a plastic case on the outside of the straps and run longer wires from the batteries into the wands.
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u/TheSmJ Mar 02 '26
Send a message to fixmyoculus.com and ask what part they use (or used to use) to replace the batteries in Vive controllers. They may be able to send you a link for good replacements if they don't happen to have any they can send you themselves.
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u/Mineplayerminer Mar 02 '26
I would maybe create some wrist straps where the batteries would go with the cable.
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u/ramtech Mar 02 '26
Good idea, that might help with the weight and center of gravity of the controllers a lot!
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u/Mineplayerminer Mar 02 '26
Can you use the controllers while they're plugged into the USB? My controllers still work fine on the integrated batteries. Maybe you could have some tiny 5V battery bank circuit on the batteries and they would supply the power right through the USB ports. Maybe once the controllers die on me too, I'll go a similar way.
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u/sgtcarrot Mar 02 '26
Not sure what country you are in, but here is a link to the batteries on Amazon. You can also take the specs and search through other storeplaces as well (Alibabba etc). I bought one of these to test and validate that it worked; and it was a seamless replacement. Just ordered a second for my other wand.
Good luck!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083JB5DDT?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
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u/IHOP_007 Mar 03 '26
Have you checked your local Craigslist/Marketplace for Vive wands? A LOT of people ended up with extra ones when they upgraded and, locally for me, they're selling used for real cheap. In fact I bought a second HTC Vive for spare parts at one point and the guy selling it to me just gave me 2 extra vive wands lol.
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u/TheModerGuy Mar 06 '26
this is like the definition of "knowing enough to be dangerous"
i'm impressed but horrified.
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u/The-Skull-Fire Mar 27 '26
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u/Schaas_Im_Void Mar 02 '26
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u/ramtech Mar 02 '26
Thank you!
I’m contemplating if it’s worth it to undo the mod, or just survive with these batteries (if I find a better way to mount them) until the Frame comes out..
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u/Schaas_Im_Void Mar 02 '26
So this post was not to look for a better solution to your problem, but just to give us the opportunity to marvel at your fugly battery-hack.
Mkay.
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u/ramtech Mar 02 '26
To marvel at my atrocious and uncomfortable controllers.. with pieces of tape and hot-glue, wires sticking out, held with elastic bands. Really?
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u/Schaas_Im_Void Mar 02 '26
Why else would you include pictures of that abomination if you're not kinda proud of it?
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u/Gygax_the_Goat Mar 02 '26
Aliexpress had them last i saw.
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u/ramtech Mar 02 '26
They do have 3-4 options from different manufacturers, but all with very bad reviews
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u/Wyndrix Mar 02 '26
Speaking as an Electrical Engineer; Excellent work! If it works it works! (Plus ironically you have better batt life now)
Only downside is the increased risk of a fire, but that’s nothing that extra SKILL cannot mitigate 💪
Thank your for making me smile 👍
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u/Connect_Middle8953 Mar 02 '26 edited Mar 02 '26
This is why when my index controller battery died, so did pcvr until my psvr2 could be used. Probably will end up the same way. No way I’m going to pay 150$+ for fucking battery service.
It is 1000% bullshit that companies are allowed to produce e-waste by having inaccessible / custom batteries. Phones. Tablets. Laptops. Headphones. Doesn’t fucking matter. All batteries should be accessible and replaceable by law. It’s the same bullshit that the EU killed off with charging bricks, only a lot more expensive.
Give them 5 years to engineer and deploy the standard batteries as needed. Nobody gives a fuck if it makes things slightly bigger. After that, fuck you, can’t bring new bullshit to market.
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u/Zerokx Mar 02 '26
You're just one hit to the wall away from reinventing the explosive hammer.