Impossible I-1 Battery replacement

The Impossible I-1 is known for battery issues, particularly as the original rechargeable batteries deteriorate over time. This can lead to reduced battery life, charging problems or a camera that no longer powers on.
In this tutorial, you'll find a step-by-step guide explaining how to replace the internal battery and get your Impossible I-1 working again.

What You'll Need (Photo 1)
- Pliers
- Soldering iron
- Small Phillips screwdriver
- Craft knife or sharp blade
- A replacement battery (Photo 2. Battery 1000 mAh / 3.7 Volt battery)

Step-by-Step Battery Replacement
1. Start by removing the film door by unscrewing the two screws located at the bottom of the camera. You can then carefully remove the film door. (Photo 3 & 4)
2. Next, cut or slice through the tape holding the battery in place. This will allow you to remove the battery from the camera. (Photo 5)
3. Carefully cut the battery wires, one at a time, to prevent a short circuit. (Photo 6)
4. Strip the ends of both the new battery wires and the existing wires inside the camera. Solder the corresponding wires together, making sure the connections are secure. (Photo 7, 8, and 9)
5. Place the new battery back inside the camera and hold it in place with some tape. (Photo 10)
6. Finally, reinstall the film door. This can be a little tricky and requires some time and patience!

How to Reset the Impossible I-1 Camera After Replacing the Battery
The Impossible I-1 uses a microprocessor to control its camera functions. After replacing the battery, the camera needs to be reset to ensure it functions correctly.

Follow the steps below to reset your I-1 camera:
Before starting the reset process, make sure all switches are in the following positions. These are the camera's default settings and are essential for a successful reset.
Camera: OFF
Flash: ON
Lighten/Darken switch: MIDDLE

Make sure there is no film pack inside the camera. If one is inserted, remove it before proceeding.

Connect the Impossible I-1 USB cable to a smartphone charger or power adapter. Leave the camera charging for approximately one hour.

Disconnect the USB cable from the I-1 camera.

Open the film door and locate the reset button. It is a small black dot situated in the upper-left corner inside the film compartment, above the area where the film pack is inserted. (Photo 11)

Using a narrow, pointed object, such as a pen or paperclip, press and hold the reset button for approximately 10 seconds.

Close the film door, reconnect the Impossible I-1 USB cable, and allow the camera to charge for another hour.
Once charging is complete, the reset process is finished. You can now turn your I-1 camera back on and use it as normal.