iPod Video 30 GB Replacement Battery - confused

paragon · 12-25-2012, 01:22 AM

I need to replace my 5th gen' ipod's battery and I am very confused from all the batteries I see on the market (eBay, Amazon and others) they all state that they are fit for the iPod Video 30 GB and they are all 3.7v but the amperage ranges from 400 to 900 mAh and there is also a big price range going on from few $ to few 10's$

Any explanations? Any suggestions as to which should I go for?

DeltaMac · 12-25-2012, 07:53 AM

The 5th Gen video iPod has two different size batteries, depending on the hard drive size.
The larger hard drives have a thicker case.
Here's a short FAQ from one of the sites that sells battery kits: http://www.ipodjuice.com/video-ipod-battery-support.htm
The 30GB 5th-gen iPod case is thinner than the 60 or 80GB iPods. The batteries are NOT interchangeable, so you need to be sure to choose the 30GB replacement battery. Because that battery is smaller, there's not as much power available. That explains why there's different capacities available for the 5th-gen. That site I linked sells 580 mAH for the 30 GB, and 850 mAH for the larger size 5th-gen.
Other sites might offer different capacities, but you just need to select the one for a 30GB 5th-gen, and you should be OK.
I don't really know, but some of the sites may offer the larger batteries for any 5th gen, and the larger ones likely won't fit in the smaller case.
"caveat emptor" - go with a seller that supports a wide range of ipods, or one that you can contact directly with your question, or who you know has a good return policy if they ship you a battery that doesn't fit.

There's other good sites on the 'net, but this one does appear competent: http://www.ipodjuice.com/

paragon · 12-26-2012, 01:24 PM

all the batteries I looked at are specifically for the 30GB ipod 5th ten

DeltaMac · 12-26-2012, 01:56 PM

Then, get one of those...
I suggest that you find out if that site sells the same battery for both the 30GB and the 60/80GB models of the 5th gen iPod. If they are the same (which is wrong!), then I would suggest going with a different site that knows more about what they are selling.

paragon · 12-26-2012, 03:06 PM

yes but is it with the mAh range, what does that do and should I go with the original (580) or larger? will a larger mAh fit or cause a damage?

DeltaMac · 12-26-2012, 03:51 PM

No - it's the physical size of the battery that decides what will work in your iPod.

Get the one that you like, do your best to know that it's the correct one, and install it.
It will be obvious if the battery is _not_ correct.
- It won't fit - it will be too thick.

The mAh size tells you how much current a battery can supply, and for how long.
Larger numbers mean both more current is available, or for a longer time.
The main result with a larger number is longer usage between charges, assuming the same load
But, all things being equal, a larger mAh battery typically needs a larger case.
There will be an lower physical limit for a particular level of battery energy.
And, technology moves on, so that a smaller case might have the higher mAh level, too.

Getting the wrong battery for an iPod is not a deal-breaker - they just don't cost that much.
But, a decent return policy is still a good thing - so you can swap out a wrong battery (which won't be your fault, eh?)

paragon · 12-27-2012, 02:46 AM

thanks a lot

12-25-2012, 01:22 AM	#1
paragon Major Leaguer Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 467	iPod Video 30 GB Replacement Battery - confused I need to replace my 5th gen' ipod's battery and I am very confused from all the batteries I see on the market (eBay, Amazon and others) they all state that they are fit for the iPod Video 30 GB and they are all 3.7v but the amperage ranges from 400 to 900 mAh and there is also a big price range going on from few $ to few 10's$ Any explanations? Any suggestions as to which should I go for? __________________ there is nothing better than a... oh well, that aint that good...

12-26-2012, 01:24 PM	#3
paragon Major Leaguer Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 467	all the batteries I looked at are specifically for the 30GB ipod 5th ten __________________ there is nothing better than a... oh well, that aint that good...

12-26-2012, 03:06 PM	#5
paragon Major Leaguer Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 467	yes but is it with the mAh range, what does that do and should I go with the original (580) or larger? will a larger mAh fit or cause a damage? __________________ there is nothing better than a... oh well, that aint that good...

12-27-2012, 02:46 AM	#7
paragon Major Leaguer Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 467	thanks a lot __________________ there is nothing better than a... oh well, that aint that good...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

12-25-2012, 07:53 AM	#2
DeltaMac League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,952	The 5th Gen video iPod has two different size batteries, depending on the hard drive size. The larger hard drives have a thicker case. Here's a short FAQ from one of the sites that sells battery kits: http://www.ipodjuice.com/video-ipod-battery-support.htm The 30GB 5th-gen iPod case is thinner than the 60 or 80GB iPods. The batteries are NOT interchangeable, so you need to be sure to choose the 30GB replacement battery. Because that battery is smaller, there's not as much power available. That explains why there's different capacities available for the 5th-gen. That site I linked sells 580 mAH for the 30 GB, and 850 mAH for the larger size 5th-gen. Other sites might offer different capacities, but you just need to select the one for a 30GB 5th-gen, and you should be OK. I don't really know, but some of the sites may offer the larger batteries for any 5th gen, and the larger ones likely won't fit in the smaller case. "caveat emptor" - go with a seller that supports a wide range of ipods, or one that you can contact directly with your question, or who you know has a good return policy if they ship you a battery that doesn't fit. There's other good sites on the 'net, but this one does appear competent: http://www.ipodjuice.com/

12-26-2012, 01:56 PM	#4
DeltaMac League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,952	Then, get one of those... I suggest that you find out if that site sells the same battery for both the 30GB and the 60/80GB models of the 5th gen iPod. If they are the same (which is wrong!), then I would suggest going with a different site that knows more about what they are selling.

12-26-2012, 03:51 PM	#6
DeltaMac League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,952	No - it's the physical size of the battery that decides what will work in your iPod. Get the one that you like, do your best to know that it's the correct one, and install it. It will be obvious if the battery is _not_ correct. - It won't fit - it will be too thick. The mAh size tells you how much current a battery can supply, and for how long. Larger numbers mean both more current is available, or for a longer time. The main result with a larger number is longer usage between charges, assuming the same load But, all things being equal, a larger mAh battery typically needs a larger case. There will be an lower physical limit for a particular level of battery energy. And, technology moves on, so that a smaller case might have the higher mAh level, too. Getting the wrong battery for an iPod is not a deal-breaker - they just don't cost that much. But, a decent return policy is still a good thing - so you can swap out a wrong battery (which won't be your fault, eh?)