[This is a modifierte review based on the December 10, 2010, and supplemented by recent findings, there is a small but fatal mistake has crept in. When installed in the new generation of Oral-B Battery Type is 4 / 5AA and NOT 4 / 5A as in the disassembled from me white-gray predecessor. Necessary are solder tails in a U shape, which must be narrowing at the end of about 1mm width. This reduction of the battery of about 2200 to 1200mAh of course is nonsense, because completely unnecessary and only owed cost-cutting measures - in the battery holder from polyamide strips are molded, shrink the available space on the ansich 4 / 5AA-space!
Since this is "weakening batteries" apparently not isolated incidents in the observations in terms of, I have given in my review for "Braun Oral-B Professional Care 6000" and following this review, a detailed guide to DIY-replacing the defective cell. This requires except soldering / desoldering braid -tin and possibly a little patience -. An attempt may be particularly so worthwhile, because you get 4 / 5AAs been on the market for a small single-digit Euro amount].
For many years I use my family and some electric toothbrushes made by Oral-B that the current model "Oral-B Professional Care 500" are largely identical, despite some innovations and design changes. The (impeccable) cleaning performance have been discussed comprehensively previous speakers, so I will confine myself to a few other points: environmental performance and fit to travel.
A regular nuisance is all battery models of permanently installed and without detailed knowledge (heating of the plastic part in the oven, principled approach to the "Recycling manual" but with extreme caution) nondestructively replaceable NiMH battery, which is used regularly in the dental recommended scope (2 -3x daily, each 2-5 minutes) after about 2 years significant capacity deficits (lead time reduction is below 50%). Unlike non-prescription brand name batteries of the same capacity the way that I had built even in such an ailing unit.
A corresponding spare parts exists [1] - Why the choice instead of the widely used format Mignon ("AA") on the type of "4 / 5AA" [Ed: This was previously 4 / 5A - small letter, big impact. I. d. T. fit battery with approximately 42-43mm in length and 14mm in diameter!] Has fallen, in addition to a higher price is distinguished in that, although he has the same diameter, but 42mm is shorter by about 8mm than its counterpart , but does not open up to me. Frugal natures can AAA Eneloops installing - this, it is but necessary to solder wires from short at the poles, because the original calls for solder tails in a U shape, which open out into 1mm narrow straps at the end. However, it then does not use the maximum capacity of (the Micro-Eneloops have about 800mAh, whereas the 4 / 5AA bring to around 1200mAh), due to the somewhat higher system voltage and the flatter discharge curve could be the usable capacity but even be comparable.
To design: After a thorough study of the Disposal (twisting of the foot with his nose on the back wall of the supercharger, which is only in the oven at about 50-60 °, it heats up the handset then rotates counterclockwise - Caution: is the lower part of the charging coil spring-loaded, ie the handset with some pressure on the dismantling of the loader lock nose) and look at the inside of the toothbrush may have been decisive considerations of the building space, anyway.
Also I am not sure why this design could not be designed analogous to the Oral-B Advance Power 400 or with a bayonet-type closure to replace the battery by laymen as supremacy every manufacturer of cheap flashlights and it is ultimately forced to buy a new toothbrush, if you do not - like me - can deal with a soldering iron and have the necessary tact. Here one could also interpret the system so that it (were earlier Oral-B's until recently equipped with a NiCd battery) with the 1.2 volts of NiMH batteries and if necessary also primary cells cope.
Of course, then have another solution for the connection of the charging coil to be found that takes place at present with four extremely thin enamelled copper wires, but even that is not rocket science. Braun / Oral-B holds quite simply laid on a 10 year old concept and warms it repeatedly to new designs. Showing the history of the disassembled equipment I quite clearly.
For foreign travelers, the base model Oral-B Professional Care 500 is also not usable because its inductive charging station is fixed at 220-230V and demonstrably not working at 110V. A "Braun Oral-B travel charger" with the connection data 100-240V 50-60Hz / 2W may subsequently the approximate price of the complete reviewed here sets are purchased [2], however, this incomprehensibly (presumably because of incompatible system voltage) to the following handpieces established: 3718, 3719, 3728, 4715, 4717, 4729, 4733, 4736 D 15/17/18 / 19er series D10511 OC 18er 18er series S series (Sonic Complete).
Owners of a "People's toothbrush" as the Professional Care 500 are thus left out and face a further, costly acquisition against. The company's website (oralb.de) does not mention the existence of the above charger finally and is included in the "Further Information" or "features" even the top model Oral-B Triumph 5000 with no word on his journey suitability - the user should feel "travel case / Portable SmartPlug charger" even make sense from the meager information.
An alternative could be the mobile operating with almost 20 euros more bearable favorable Oral-B Advance Power 400 to be [3], but allows the product description [4] "[...] Incl. Two Duracell batteries and travel cap for the brush [.. suggests.] "including illustration of two primary cells, that there are two (why two?) NiMH cells such as the Sanyo Eneloop not do with its lower system voltage well.
Whether the cleaning effect, the dimensions and the operating time of the Advance Power 400 of the Professional Care 500 is comparable, also remains open.
A word about self-discharge: Newer models of the above-mentioned Oral-B series (those that can blink with the charge LED or yellow instead of green LED have) produce a clearly audible "tickers" at rest (ie switched off and not on the charger). For obvious reasons, one must assume that where noises also (unnecessarily) current flows. Current which continuously discharges the built-in battery and additional charging cycles imposes.
Why Oral-B takes to solve these problems is investing in wireless displays, LCD displays in the handle and similar gimmicks development resources, remains somewhat enigmatic. A similar mail with the above criticisms of the company resulted in the following response (excerpt quotation):
"[...] For us as a manufacturer, the opinion of the users of our products is always of great interest to learn, because we always try, from your experience in practical use. We are pleased when our customers deal with our products. For We thank you and look forward if you continue to remain loyal to our products. [...]
The charger as standard included (220-240V / 50Hz) is not suitable to use it abroad (countries with a voltage of 110 volts) as the standard charger does not contain a smart plug connector (automatic voltage adjustment). [...]
The part number for the "Brown charger mini Multivoltage" for the Professional Care 500 is 67,040,052th You need a spare part or a repair? Please contact over one of our authorized service partners, these have the entire spare parts and repair service for us. The addresses, including phone numbers, please visit our website braun.com/de [...] "
A structurally really easily preventable deficiency begins with prolonged use and a number of worn plaster heads really annoying: The Toothbrush Sifft. The problem is both the cleaning head having a small hole halfway overlooking a stainless steel spring and a vibration weight. Here, if you do not angling the device up, saliva / toothpaste leak, run through the handset, the forearm and the elbow and screw up the ground or clothing. Of course, ordinary contemporaries always brush in the bathroom above the sink - but who does? Also, the gap between the drive blade and the socket of the cleaning head is (ie where you can attach the colored rings) unsealed. At some point there's Game and ... See above.
Instead funny color rings a groove that can accommodate a sealing ring made of silicone and a eingeclipste cover the hole in the plaster head and the matter would be scratched. Well, probably I am the only one in 15 years, Oral-B production, something noticeable.
The bottom line: There are definitely no toothbrush cleans better. Who does not want to belong to the throwaway society (expensive brush heads made of plastic and non-replaceable battery in the handle) should carefully consider the purchase. In addition, you can not help but continue to give to multi-day stays abroad outside 230V countries manual toothbrushes preference or to invest in a charger that doubles the purchase price approximately.
Clean Greetings!
PS: here are a few tips that might lead to replacement of the battery, the DIY advice in addition to a significant cost savings for the user (a new battery costs about 20% of the handset) and waste reduction also to a slow rethink Oral-B, that a design change to change batteries in AA size finally overdue:
- After determining the necessary spare part, ie whether 4 / 5AA (probably) or 4 / 5A (very elderly models) should be an Internet search for cheap sources of risk [5]. Many loss leaders that operate under the title "Replacement Battery for Oral-B", etc., offer a standard part too often completely excessive prices. Ideally, one on price comparisons and opts for a proprietary product of Sanyo / FDK, Varta and Panasonic, with whom I was able to gather so far pretty good experience.
Ideal would LSD - ("Low Self Discharge") - models such as the widespread Eneloop, but that is not offered in the 4/5 size, one would have to take the AAA variant (with 800mAh) and solder a short cable.
- Suitable with solder tails are U-shaped leaded versions in which the contact end tapers to about 1mm width. Wider straps can be reworked with electronics tongs. Anyone curious to light soldering, can also handle conventional Eletrokiklot uninsulated, solder tinned wire (thickness about 1 mm) of "naked" cells.
The soldering iron is needed later anyway.
- Before disassembling you should clean the handset, especially in the rubber seal of the stand (with the indentation on the loading pin) and in the annular end cap which serves as a stop for the cleaning head. The end cap can pry off toward the tip with a screwdriver alternately, making sure that one does not damage the rubber seal.
- Subsequently, the handset should be heated to about 50-60 ° C in the oven, which makes the plastic flexible and the risk of breakage is reduced during calibration of the foot. Hold then can the Ladefuß the handset with gentle pressure on the "Recycling nose" in the rear wall of the loader (better this nose take as the pin used to load because the can break and the entire charger needs to be replaced) slide, so and in Gegenurzeigersinn (!) turn it by about 90 °.
Here, the bayonet-type lock and the spring-loaded latches of the lower part of the hand-held device only depends on four thin enamelled copper wires, which are to connect to the electronics board. Caution: The bayonet is in two parts, for the reassembly of the inner concentric rotatable part with the holder for the charger nose all the must - seen from behind / down - left stop can be rotated. Only then can you nonviolently pressing the lower part against the spring on the housing and fix the inner part by turning clockwise.
- Complete set (incl. The mind hanging lower part) goes through gentle pressure to the metallic tip through the envelope to expel backward.
- Then the metal bracket disengage, which operates the on-off micro switch on the PCB, the former is engaged with two small barbs on its fulcrum. A small watchmakers screwdriver or tweezers sufficient.
- Next, the connections for the motor on the board must be unsoldered since proved a Entlötsaugpumpe or -litze and some patience. You can also heat with the soldering tip and then pry with a matching screwdriver.
- Well, the battery holder, the two lateral locking lugs is withdrawn with attached deck Elter electronic board from the motor unit, to push with a screwdriver. The equipment breaks down now in a mechanical and an electronic part.
- To remove the battery (earlier measure / record the polarity - my models had all the negative pole at the foot) should Platzfründen from the four enamelled copper wires are unhooked from the cable holder at the back of the battery holder first. These spreading the bracket slightly and pull out the wires from the side. Taking due care, the wires are thin and do not tolerate violence or too many bending cycles.
- The next step is a little tricky: There have two opposing flags desoldered battery and the battery will be pushed to the bottom end of the holder. Here be careful not anzukokeln the enamelled copper wire or the holder. Here you can also bring the Entlötsaugpumpe used and possibly warm up with a soldering iron and simultaneously press. Who is going on gently, has a nearly 100% chance of success, for a RC model builder is the thing a no brainer.
- Now make the new battery suitable, possibly bedrahten and complete the whole thing in reverse.. The solder / solder connecting wires (forceps / Flachzange here tool of choice), defer Motoreineit again and solder, if necessary. Some silicone grease give the gears.
- Then hook the enamelled copper wires and slide the inner workings of the way into the again warmed plastic shell, while slightly pulling on the top until it stops. Then press the bayonet in its permanent location, unscrew the inner part clockwise and fix it. A splash of fat or oil helps seal and makes it more slippery rubber in the foot.
- Do not panic if the brush does not start when pressing the button. That is probably a kind of "transport safety" of the newer models and should not prevent the handset is not activated in the packaging or by the increased quiescent current (z. B. by how another customer noticed pointless follower "voltage converter") already deeply discharged arrives at the customer. A short stay in the charging station and the brush is booming again.
If everything went well, you have a low single-digit Euro amount back a brand new toothbrush, the expected longer do their service than the original, with its low-grade cheap energy storage. The process takes a little longer than the way I needed to write this review, one should proceed from about 60 minutes and can warm oven also casually use for a tasty success Pizza. ;-)
[1] Google search for the keywords "NiMH", "4 / 5AA" and "Sanyo" and "Panasonic" will suffice.
[2] Braun Oral-B travel charger or google search for "67040052" and "Oral-B"
[3] Braun Oral-B Advance Power 400 battery toothbrush brush
[4] Google Tags: "Oral-B", "Advance Power", "400"
[5] Matching Google keywords were "FDK / Sanyo cell industry HR-4 / 5AU / NIMH 201-4538" and "industrial battery PANASONIC HHR-120aa 4/5 (AA) NiMH"
