Originally posted to r/techsupportmacgyver with 302 upvotes and 47 comments
I use this ancient Android phone as a custom security camera connected to my home server. If it dies, I have to rewrite my code. I’d rather solder in an old vape battery than write code. 🤣
I couldn’t figure out how to get that charger module from AliExpress to play directly with the battery terminals on the phone. So I disassembled the original lithium cell from the battery controller and soldered the old vape cell in its place.
When I got this home, I realized part of the problem is the USB port is getting loose. So I wired in the protection board with a seemingly large 47,000 mF capacitor (because that vape cell will eventually go ‘spicy pillow’) but I cannot get it to work with this phone! Tried with both a capacitor and a battery on every combination of B+/B- and OUT+/OUT-.
With power connected on the loose, onboard USB, the phone will complain about not having a battery and then attempt to charge when I push the terminals into place, but after letting it charge or connecting power to the new protection board and pushing the power button to start the phone, I just get a blinking backlight and no other indication. 😖
Author’s notes from the future: Contrary to my post on Reddit, I eventually declared this thing DOA. I lack the time to deal with it and I have slightly less old Android devices that can take it’s place. It was a fun attempt at doing a battery to capacitor mod and it gave me great experience at reclaiming lithium pouch cells; which has been incredibly useful since then.
There were LOTS of comments sharing nostalgic memories of the LG Optimus being people’s first smartphone. There were also a few comments suggesting using AI to write out new webcam code, which is something I plan on doing but haven’t found the time for yet.
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