3 V lithium coin cells: saves that hold again

A cartridge that forgets your progress every time you switch off, an internal clock that resets to zero, a console that loses its settings: nine times out of ten, the save battery is flat. These 3 V lithium coin cells cover the most common formats in retro hardware — CR1616, CR1620 and CR1632 — in packs of 5 or 10.

What it does

• Three formats to choose from: CR1616, CR1620 or CR1632, all 3 V lithium. The format is printed right on the original battery.
• Sold in packs: 5 or 10 batteries depending on the variant, enough to handle a whole shelf of cartridges in a single order.
• Lithium chemistry: stable 3 V voltage over time, low self-discharge; this is the chemistry originally used in SRAM save cartridges.

What it doesn't do

• These are bare batteries, without solder tabs. In a cartridge, the original battery is soldered in by two tabs: you need either tabbed batteries, a battery holder, or careful soldering — we supply neither tabs nor holder.
• They are not rechargeable and do not replace any Li-ion battery in a handheld console.
• Changing the battery erases the save stored in memory: the SRAM loses power during the operation. Back up whatever needs saving before opening the cartridge.
• A cartridge that no longer saves may also suffer from a broken trace or a dead chip: the battery only fixes the most common case, not all of them.
• No battery comes with a tool: the gamebit-type screwdriver and the soldering iron are not in the box.

Compatibility

What matters is the format, not the machine: order the reference printed on the battery you remove. The CR1616 is the most widespread format in battery-backed Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges. The CR1620 and CR1632 are found in other 3 V boards and peripherals, as well as in watches, calculators and electronic toys. Not suitable for slots designed for a CR2025 or CR2032, which are wider: check before ordering.

Skill level required

Disassembly of the cartridge or casing, and most often soldering to reuse the original tabs. Have a screwdriver that fits the cartridge screw, a fine-tip soldering iron and solder ready. Never solder directly onto the body of a coin cell unless you know what you are doing: the heat can damage it.

In the box

• 5 or 10 lithium coin cells (3 V), in the chosen format (CR1616, CR1620 or CR1632).

Keep out of reach of children: swallowing a coin cell is a medical emergency. Do not puncture, heat or recharge. Take to a collection point at the end of its life.

Read before ordering: Workshop & modding