Battery Low Warning: Do I Need a Grown-Up?

Stephen Butler · Post by **Stephen Butler** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:24 am

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen:

My KRONOS is about 8 years old. It was bought in September 2012, as well, which is a coincidence.

In the last few days, it has begun to fail to boot up on first switch on. It gets to a certain point, comes up with a "SYSTEM FAILURE" message, and it's goodnight Vienna. I turn it off, and the next time it boots up just fine.

Except...

I get a warning message on the screen saying that the battery voltage is low, and it cannot save the date and time, and indeed, the dates are all reset to zero, or January 1, 2009, whichever is the sooner.

This means I must manually reset the date every time I save a song file, or a program...WAV... you know the drill. Interestingly, it still manages to remember what program or combi I was using last.

Does this mean what I think it means, and that it has to be sent to a repair shop and have a new battery put in, or is this something I can do myself, without the aid of a grownup?

Answers preferably not on a postcard, but underneath this message would be good, if anyone has any ideas?

Happy thanksgiving to all our American friends, and we hope you turn the corner with the virus soon.

Cheers,
Stephen Butler x

Narioso · Post by **Narioso** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:52 am

Manual states
"Your Korg Distributor can help you find a service center to replace the battery."

I would be surprised if anything soldered to circuit board, but like on pc and other equipment just a holder that you do easily yourself.

I did on Kurzweil, pc's, Roland D50 and JV80, Nordlead and many more.

CR2032 is the most common I saw on any equipment, but check out searching maybe which type it is.

But it might not be on a board that is directly open to access, so if not comfortable taking things apart a bit, might be cable needed to dismount and screwdriver too available, take the cost and send it in.

Stephen Butler · Post by **Stephen Butler** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 11:38 am

Narioso:

Many thanks for your kind reply. I appreciate it. I had a feeling I was going to have to send my beloved Bessie back to the synth hospital (shhh! I have to whisper it around her - she gets upset - you know how it is). Oh well, here goes... x

KK · Post by KK » Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:46 pm

It's actually quite easy to do. You need a Phillips screwdriver, a new CR2032 battery and some time and effort. With your Kronos completely unplugged, simply remove about 25 screws holding the wooden panel under the synth, taking note which type goes where. Then locate the motherboard (the PCB with a big metal heatsink on it), remove the old CR2032 from its vertical holder and place the new one respecting the polarities (it's easy to see on the battery). Then screw everything back on. If it's a 88-key, tighten the action screws holding the unit near vertically on its back panel to ensure there is a tiny space between the front of the keys and the synth front bumper/fender. All done.

Falcon2e · Post by **Falcon2e** » Fri Nov 27, 2020 2:37 am

KK wrote:It's actually quite easy to do. You need a Phillips screwdriver, a new CR2032 battery and some time and effort. With your Kronos completely unplugged, simply remove about 25 screws holding the wooden panel under the synth, taking note which type goes where. Then locate the motherboard (the PCB with a big metal heatsink on it), remove the old CR2032 from its vertical holder and place the new one respecting the polarities (it's easy to see on the battery). Then screw everything back on. If it's a 88-key, tighten the action screws holding the unit near vertically on its back panel to ensure there is a tiny space between the front of the keys and the synth front bumper/fender. All done.

I totally agree, it’s not a big deal to change the battery. Just take your time and protect the joysticks while it’s inverted. But, if you’re not comfortable doing it, get some expert help.