Like many of you, I gave up on VMU's long ago. Popping two new CR2032 batteries into them resulted in *maybe* a few days before they were dead.
However, I just realized they make rechargeable CR2032 batteries (LIR2032). I'm kinda wondering if these are what were originally in the VMU's when new? It would make sense to charge them while playing the console, then have a day or two of charge before needing to be plugged back in.
Anyway, I have some of these coming... going to see if they work.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LCT9KG9
Sudden realization about VMU batteries
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Please check the other forums in the Dreamcast section before posting here to see if your topic would fit better in those categories. Example: A new game/homebrew release would go in the New Releases/Homebrew/Emulation section: http://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=5 or if you're having an issue with getting your Dreamcast to work or a game to boot it would go in the Support section: http://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=42
- megavolt85
- Developer
- Posts: 2158
Re: Sudden realization about VMU batteries
you can not even try, they will not be charged in the VMU
https://www.dreamcast-talk.com/forum/vi ... =5&t=14898
https://www.dreamcast-talk.com/forum/vi ... =5&t=14898
- Rolly
- letterbomb
- Posts: 158
- Dreamcast Games you play Online: PSO, Gundam, and more!
- Location: Poland
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Re: Sudden realization about VMU batteries
Just cut USB cable and create a simple modification.
Tutorial with photos : http://www.sega.c0.pl/faqs/felieton_seg ... y_usb.html
Tutorial with photos : http://www.sega.c0.pl/faqs/felieton_seg ... y_usb.html

- Gocha
- letterbomb
- Posts: 158
- Dreamcast Games you play Online: hope to play them all!
Re: Sudden realization about VMU batteries
Awesome mod Rolly, I've seen some people use 9V batteries and things like that, but it's a little bulky, this could be a nice solution to tinker around. There are a few Lithium ion battery mods also, but are expensive and I haven't seen any easy to follow tutorial.
About the rechargable batteries, the batteries itself "work" but how the power for a very short time and can't be recharged on the VMU while playing, there are a few videos on youtube of people experimenting and as far as I remember they all say it's just not worth it.
I would love to have a lithium battery modded one, there are a few mods that claim that you can charge it while using the dreamcast, but I've never seen one in real life.
About the rechargable batteries, the batteries itself "work" but how the power for a very short time and can't be recharged on the VMU while playing, there are a few videos on youtube of people experimenting and as far as I remember they all say it's just not worth it.
I would love to have a lithium battery modded one, there are a few mods that claim that you can charge it while using the dreamcast, but I've never seen one in real life.
- fafadou
- Leonard Nimoy
- Posts: 1854
Re: Sudden realization about VMU batteries
Follow the @megavolt85 battery mod, it's a fantastic one.
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- noob
- Posts: 3
Re: Sudden realization about VMU batteries
Interesting though. If there's enough power on the VMU bus to charge a small lipo battery, there should be enough to charge a pair of rechargeable LIR2032 batteries.megavolt85 wrote:you can not even try, they will not be charged in the VMU
https://www.dreamcast-talk.com/forum/vi ... =5&t=14898
Think how minimal the modification would be

- megavolt85
- Developer
- Posts: 2158
Re: Sudden realization about VMU batteries
charging batteries consistently is a bad ideakallisti5 wrote:If 6.4v+ is available they could be charged in series.
and generally charging batteries without a controller is a bad idea
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- shadow
- Posts: 8
Re: Sudden realization about VMU batteries
Not a bad idea, but man...even good Panasonic ones are really cheap on Amazon.
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