More Mileage Out of Your Oral B Pulsar Toothbrush

by Oldguy

32K315

Intro: More Mileage Out of Your Oral B Pulsar Toothbrush

For around $5 you would think the battery in an Oral B Pulsar toothbrush would last a little longer. Here is how I overcame that problem.

STEP 1: The Tools That I Used

These are the tools I used. A pair each of vice grips, adjustable pliers, and small needle nose pliers (the smaller the better)

STEP 2: The Brush

This is what the toothbrush looks like.

STEP 3: The Seperation

Here you can see the dividing line near the center of the brush where the battery compartment comes apart.

STEP 4: The Grip

Clamp the vice grips on the upper portion then using the adjustables on the lower portion twist counter-clockwise. Some brushes are more difficult than others to break the seal. Screw off the cover.

STEP 5: The Guts

This is the separated battery compartment.

STEP 6: The Removal

Remove the battery by prying the metal contact out of the way and pulling upward on the battery.

STEP 7: The Replacement

Insert the new battery.

STEP 8: Making Contact

Bend the contact as close to it's original position as possible without actually contacting the battery.

STEP 9: The Modification

Many posts on the web on this subject suggest playing around with the contact to try and get the switch to work properly. Personally I didn't have the patience. The following works just as well for on/off operation in my opinion and is a lot less hassle.

Bend the tab on the contact backwards and squeeze it down as close as you can get it to the contact. By doing this you will effectively remove the on off switch from being usable.

STEP 10: The "ON Position

Screw the cover back on. When fully tightened the brush should start up.

STEP 11: The "Off" Position

To shut off brush simply unscrew cap a quarter or half turn.

15 Comments

SoubhiS 2 years ago

Hi.
The method is nice,but using such clamps could damage the brush handle.
It's better to protect the handle using electric insulating tape before clamping. Also you can knock on the handle using small hummer then detach the battery cover using your hands. so no need to use clamps.

john5247 9 years ago

The 3-4 months "life" is about the bacteria more than the bent bristles. While you have the battery out you can sterilize the brush with Listerine, alcohol, Steradent or baby bottle sterilizer solution.

There's a guy on YouTube worked out that the 12th ridge down from the brush is the place to push a screwdriver in to release the catch. The whole vibrator motor, switch and battery slides out the bottom. When you change the battery this way you don't disturb the spring clip and the switch works as intended when you re-assemble.

Don't forget when the brush head finally croaks you can cut it off and file it smooth. Fit a new battery and you can slide it up your jacksie for cheap thrills ....Much more convenient than sticking the old Nokia up there and calling the phone repeatedly !

rhodesy01 14 years ago

I have a much easier solution for the contact / switch problem. Just wedge a load of kitchen foil between the contact and the battery. That way when it is re-assembled theres a good connection and you can still use the normal switch to turn the toothbrush on and off. I use the same trick in my torch too because the batteries had a loose connection, it works really well !

tehpirate 14 years ago

A toothbrush is supposed to be switched out every 2-3 months, which is about how long the battery in the one lasts.

Oldguy 14 years ago

That's what the manufacturers would like us to believe. Wouldn't be very profitable for them if everyone used their brush for it's real life span.

Oldguy 14 years ago

If you are worried about bacteria on your toothbrush simply soak it in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol for 5 minutes or so and presto no more bacteria. This is used in hospitals for sterilization so it should be good enough for home. Anyway the bacteria are from your own mouth so how much damage could they do (unless you dropped the brush in the toilet by accident). If you have lots of money go ahead get a new brush, but it's not necessary.

Pryer 14 years ago

id be sure to get the alcohol off tho. i once asked my dentist what would happen if i drank the rubbing stuff. he laughed and said "Youd die!" im not sure if thats true but now im afraid of that stuff.

AndyGadget 14 years ago

What is the vibrating element like in those toothbrushes?
(And would it be suitable for making a Bristlebot?)

Oldguy 14 years ago

Looks like this

AndyGadget 14 years ago

As you say - standard tiny pager motor. That's what I used for 'Blinky'. Anyone for a Bristlebot farm?

corksean14 14 years ago

Its the standard tiny pager motor with off-kilter weight. perfect for bristlebots, I made my bristlebot out of one of these

AndyGadget 14 years ago

Thanks - Sounds good to me. I'll have to look out for "2 for 1" offers.

Oryctolagus habilis 14 years ago

I think they're getting wise to this: mine was super-glued! It broke so that I could get it back together, but its impossible to make use of the threading, so I had to mess with it to make the switch useable.