How to Disassemble and Re-assemble a INNOVV C1 camera

cf7

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Dash Cam
INNOVV..C3. Xiaomi Yi Dashcam
I had disassembled my C1 many times, so I like to share my experience in case anyone needs to open one.

C2 is not included as I don't have one and it has a bigger lens than the aluminum plate..

Perform this at your own risk...

Warning: Slide switch is very fragile.

You need on hand:

Spare 2-3 mm thick grey color silicone thermal heat transfer pads. I guess it could be any color.
try not to open C1 if you do not have some spare pads.

here is a pic of the pads, and slide switch.
Caution: do not get pads material into your eyes during and after handling the pads=> wash hands..this is not putty for kids..




The factory Grey rubber pad crumbles/rips very easy even if you handle it carefully and properly..(not sure if you can buy them from Innovv)..ebay does have them..2mm thick.

needle nose
pair of tweezers..prefer plastic
plastic or wood stick
jeweller screw driver set
masking tape

Orientation Definition:
C1 button side is Top

Disassembling...Steps:

  • Ensure microSD card is removed.
  • Slide switch should be in centre "Loop" position.
  • Use a marker to place a dot on one end of the plastic slider ; it will be useful for later reassembly. Plastic slider piece has a offset. curvy thinner side is the top side.
Use a proper size jeweller screw driver.
Remove screws from rear cover plate first.
Save screws on a magnet.

You can see the reset button, usb port etc...
Look inside and remember where the grey color heat sink rubber pieces are placed.

Important....
Do not push battery or clear plastic support frame at this time.

  • Remove front cover plate. Could be a bit tight around the lens.
you may need to push module forward from rear just a few mm to get front cover plate out. watch out the switch.
again..save screws on magnet..

  • Look inside from front end and remember where all the grey rubber pieces are placed.

Start from rear...
  • Remove grey color pads very carefully using a non-conductive tool like wood or plastic stick, plastic tweezers if possible.
  • Use a needle nose to pull the battery out gently and slowly. Once it is out, you can grab it by hand.
  • Pull battery out. It will be hanging; so be gentle..
You can put a thicker battery as mod.....later

Turn to Len's side
  • Use a long wood stick ..like tongue depressor or a coffee stirrer..
  • Remove all gray pads from the front and above the cmos module
  • you may need to press buttons down lightly if you cannot remove the pads.
once you have no more grey pads.
you can see a big gap above cmos module pcb and also on the non-switch side.

Reminder...not to break the sliding switch..

Moving out the module is a bit complex to describe.
To remove module by moving module down and sideways the same time to get clearance space.

First
push in the led from top to free and also depress button down and slide to rear to free.

try hold the module against the enclosure wall -the non-slider side.
doing so, sometimes the switch slider piece may fell down..

if not, use your finger pushing the slider switch into enclosure lightly until it clears the slot while slowly push from lens side

ensure that buttons will slide under holes by press them down while moving module towards rear. you can use your finger to push one button, one hole each time to clear..just keep going slowly.

once module is out
a few gray pads may still under neath the module. note their positions.

unplug battery to avoid damaging wires.


Assembling:

note: The steps is a bit more involved and is not just reverse above steps.

preparation
get a small piece of clear tape 0.5 inch long..fold it long side and leave 1/3 untouch while the other 2/3 now is just stick together. it is to temporary keep the slider not to fall out during re-installation.

On the bottom side.
place grey piece pad on the cmos white connector..on the side of cmos lens with transparent frame...

ensure switch is in middle cycle position.

plugged in battery. let in hanging.

now place the grey slider piece fit to switch...thinner edge side on top.

attach the sticky part of the clear tape on the rear part of slider and the frame to keep it in place so it does not fall out during assembly.

while use you finger to hold the slider in place.
Slide module into enclosure from rear. module should be against the non-slider side to get room for for slider piece to past.

once the front part of slider switch started entering the aluminum enclosure.
Place the button array on to module through the frame slot.
it is not necessary for the button is aligned.. just on top of the module is good for now.

now focus only on slider switch

start to slide module into enclosure slowly.
buttons may catch the holes. and use a stick to push it in while holding the module down to get space.
you can continue move the whole module in until slider switch align with the slot hole
move module towards slider side now and the slider can be fit in the slot. pull clear tape off from rear.

now align led and...wiggle button into holes using a stick pushing from rear.

now move module up to seat led and buttons

if it all fit,
you should have lots of room around the non switch side.

now.. hold the module in place by hand.
insert battery back where black pad side contact housing side.

check alignments again.
if ok
place grey pads at the rear where you found them.
usually on the non switch side.

now finish placing grey pads from the front.
usually on top of cmos module pcb and also on non-slide switch side...
(most heat is from cmos)..more grey heat pads around pcb will conduct heat out.

you might need to press down mode key to get a bit more room.

Double check everything..
Try slider switch..feel good? front led on?
now test C1 by try power button. red light ok..? turn it off.

Replace rear cover first...why...because you want the usb port fully seat into the opening and get more supports...less prone to damages from plugging and unplugging.
visually confirm usb port fit inside the hole.






note: do not over tighten the screws.

then the front cover.
just slight pressure on the lens module to ensure it did not pop out the connector socket.

you do not need to tight the front screws too much..the plastic frame is slightly shorter than the aluminum enclosure. too much will pull brass insert out.

shake C1 and see any loose stuff rattling..

do a recording test. watch the leds....and you are done

My Mods
I had added small piece of grey pads between module and plastic frame thought it is 0.5 mm gap.




I stacked a few thermal pads on top of the NT chip to take heat to the enclosure.
I also added a pad to above the battery plug to ensure vibration does not affect it.

If any one has pic s.. please post.
 
Last edited:
People always do good support for INNOVV.
This is very detailed and useful resource. :)
 
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