Repair guide

Check the internal battery in a Roland Sound Canvas

Sound Canvas modules carry a small lithium battery that can leak and damage the board over time. Opening the unit, checking and removing the battery is a short job that can save the board.

Open the interactive checklist Tick off each step as you go. It saves in your browser.

Battery · Easy · about 30 minutes. Try it, but check first. This will not fix every machine, so read the sources first.

You are in the right place if: Patch memory resets or settings are not remembered, or you have never checked the internal battery and want to avoid a leak.

Before you start

Leak residue irritates skin and eyes; wear gloves.
If you find corroded capacitors or traces, stop and see a repair guide.

Board revisions and models

Battery position and type may differ between SC-55, SC-55mkII, SC-88 and SC-88Pro.

Parts you may need

CR2032 battery. Common replacement Amazon · eBay
Battery holder. Easier to swap later Amazon · eBay

Tools

Screwdriver set. Open case Amazon · eBay
Soldering iron. If the battery is soldered Amazon · eBay
Brush and swabs. Clean-up Amazon · eBay

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Step by step

Unplug the unit Disconnect power and all cables and put the unit on a clean surface.
Open the case Remove the screws and lift the cover. Photograph the layout.
Find the battery Locate the small battery on the board and check around it for crust.
Judge the condition If there is residue, treat it as a leak and clean the area before refitting power.
Remove the battery Take it out of its holder or desolder it, noting polarity.
Clean any residue Dab with a mild acid such as white vinegar, scrub with isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush, then let it dry.
Fit a new cell or holder Fit a matching cell in a holder and reassemble.
Test the unit Power up and play the demo songs to check sound and settings.

Tips, tales and maybes

Found in write-ups and forum threads. These are other people's reports, not tested by us.

Tip (Medium confidence). A long VOGONS thread covers CR2032 leaks in Sound Canvas units and mentions cleaning a leak with vinegar then isopropyl alcohol. Source

Guides we used

We wrote the steps in our own words from these. They have the photos and the full detail, so please read them and support their authors.

Have you opened your SC-55 to check the battery inside? (Forum) by VOGONS forum thread. Long thread about CR2032 leakage inside Sound Canvas units; mentions a vinegar then isopropyl clean-up of a leak.

Boards and models vary, so check what is in front of you. A repair can involve hot tools, chemicals and, on some machines, dangerous voltages. You do it at your own risk.