If you're experiencing reduced battery life or difficulty charging the battery in your ION portable speaker, it's possible that the battery may need to be replaced. This guide applies to any ION Audio speaker that features a rechargeable, sealed lead-acid battery.
To simplify the process, most of our speakers with rechargeable lead-acid batteries feature a removable panel to easily access the battery compartment. In this article, we'll show you where to find a compatible battery for your ION portable speaker, how to install it, and how to help maximize battery lifespan.
This guide applies to any ION Audio speaker that features a rechargeable, sealed lead-acid battery.
Contents
Which ION Audio speakers have replaceable batteries?
This guide will only apply to ION Audio speakers that feature a rechargeable, sealed lead-acid battery. This includes, but is not limited to, the following products:
- Adventurer
- Blockrocker Series
- Explorer Series
- Game Day Series
- Job Rocker Series
- Karaoke Master
- Party Boom
- Pathfinder Series
- Sport Series
- Tailgater Series
ION products that contain lithium-ion batteries do not offer access to replace the battery.
If your Block Rocker or Tailgater was produced prior to 2010, your battery will need to be replaced by a certified technician. Please contact our support team for a list of our current authorized service centers: ION Audio Technical Support.
How to Care for and Maximize Battery Lifespan
Rechargeable lead-acid batteries are the same type used in automobiles. As with your car battery, how you use this battery has a significant impact on its lifespan.
For example, if you forget to turn off your car's lights and drain the battery, a jump start may work a few times. But after a few full discharges, even a jump won't help, and the battery will need to be replaced. With proper use and treatment, a lead-acid battery can last for years.
In general, leaving the battery at low or no charge for an extended period of time will reduce the battery lifespan, and/or reduce its ability to store a charge.
Here are some recommendations for getting the longest life from your ION speaker battery:
General Usage
Fully charge the battery before using it and after every use.
For maximum life, drain the battery 80% once a month.
Avoid completely draining the battery and/or leaving it with low or no charge for an extended period time.
Storage
Charge the battery to full before leaving it in storage.
Avoid storing in high temperatures and moist places.
For long-term storage, periodically recharge the battery. If you do not charge the battery for six months, it may not charge again.
Disposal
Bring the battery to a recycling center or dispose of it in accordance with local ordinances.
Before Replacing the Battery
How will I know I need a new battery?
Signs of low battery life are often very obvious, but here is an easy test to check if your battery is no longer retaining a charge:
- Leave the speaker plugged in and charging overnight (at least 8-10 hours) and make sure that the speaker indicates that it is charging. Usually, this will be a light near the power input, or a battery level indicator on the front display.
- When ready, disconnect the speaker from charging and power it on. You may consider a replacement battery if:
- The battery level indicator indicates that the battery is not fully charged or drops quickly.
- The speaker does not power on at all or powers off on its own shortly after powering on.
How do I know which battery I need?
Follow the link below to find a list of our portable speakers and their compatible batteries!
What battery does my ION speaker use?
Battery Terminal Types
On your battery, you'll see two prongs sticking out from the top that connect to wires inside the speaker. These are called "terminals." There are two types of terminal connection possibilities that can come with a 12V rechargeable sealed lead-acid battery: F1 and F2.
The vast majority of sealed lead-acid batteries found in ION Audio products will require an F2 terminal type. These are slightly larger than the F1 terminal type.
If you purchase a battery with the slimmer F1-type battery connection terminals, it can still be used as long as all the other specs of the battery are correct. To connect the battery you will simply need "F1 to F2 Step Up Adapters", which are usually available from the same place the battery was purchased. These adapters slip over the slimmer F1 terminals and make them slightly wider, allowing for F2-type terminal connection cables to attach correctly.
Where can I find a replacement battery for my speaker? Is a replacement covered under warranty?
The sealed lead-acid batteries used in ION Audio speakers are generally available both online and at your local hardware stores. They are found in a wide variety of household products, and replacing them over time is not uncommon.
Once you have determined which battery you need, a quick search online should provide useful results, or you can visit the Parts & Accessories page at inmusicstore.com to purchase one directly from ION Audio.
If you have any trouble finding a replacement battery or believe your battery may have failed during the warranty period, please don't hesitate to contact us! You can use the Get Support button at the bottom of the page, chat with us through ION chat or submit a support ticket at the link below:
Please be sure to have the serial number on your speaker ready so that we can quickly identify your model and the appropriate replacement battery!
How to Replace the Battery
The process to change a battery will be virtually the same for any ION speaker that contains a replaceable, sealed lead-acid battery. If you’re unsure if your battery can be replaced, first check to see if your speaker is on the list above and what battery it will require
IMPORTANT: Before starting this process, disconnect all power cables, audio cables, and accessories. Make sure that the product is completely disconnected from any electrical power outlets.
The ION Pathfinder charger has a slightly different process. Please visit our guide here for instructions on replacing a battery in the Pathfinder Charger.
- Locate the battery access panel. This will often be on the side, back, or bottom of the speaker and may have anywhere between 4 and 14 screws to remove. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screws and the panel.
Due to the water-resistant design for many of our speaker models, take note and carefully peel up any insulation that may surround the battery. You’ll want to keep this intact if possible to protect your new battery once it is installed - Slide the battery out of the battery compartment. One way to do this easily is to hold the speaker at an angle with the back of the speaker towards the ground. With a firm grip on the speaker, tap the back-bottom edge (or wheels) on the ground. The battery should begin to slide out of the battery compartment, making it easy to grab and remove completely.
Be careful not to pull the battery out too far or put pressure on the wires while removing the battery.
- There will be two wires connected to the battery terminals. Carefully slide the wire connectors off each terminal.
IMPORTANT: Note how the terminals on the battery are connected. The red connector is connected to the red positive terminal. The other connector (blue or black) is connected to the black negative terminal. The replacement battery must be connected the same way. Failure to connect to the correct terminals could result in damage to your product.
- Connect the wires to the new battery and insert it into the battery compartment. Close the side panel, and replace the screws. You have now completed the process. Enjoy!
IMPORTANT: The red connector must be connected to the red positive terminal on the battery. The other connector (blue or black) is connected to the black negative terminal. Failure to connect to the correct terminals could result in damage to your product.
Further Technical Support
If you have questions or trouble with any part of this process, or any other part of your ION Audio product, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our support team is ready to help!
To contact us, click here or use the New Support Ticket button at the top of this page.