About this replacement
Archos Gmini 500 / AV500 Series — 3.7V Li-Polymer Replacement Battery (400081)
This 3.7V, 5200mAh Li-Polymer battery replaces the original cell in the Archos Gmini 500, Gmini 530, Gmini 560, and AV500 series portable media players. OEM part numbers 400081, 400084, 500738, 500739, and 500743 all cross to this cell. If your player won't hold a charge or fails to power on, this is the direct replacement.
- Gmini and AV500 platform fit: These models share the same 3.7V single-cell Li-Polymer architecture, connector pinout, and BMS handshake protocol. One cell covers the full range listed without any modification.
- Bench tested on actual hardware: We ran this cell through charge and discharge cycles on an AV500-series unit. The BMS engaged correctly at both the low-voltage cutoff and overcharge threshold, with no false trips during normal playback load.
- Post-install trickle charge requirement: Archos media players entering deep-discharge protection will reject a standard charge current immediately after a cell swap. Connect the charger and leave the device off for at least 30 minutes before attempting to power on — this allows the BMS to accept trickle current and exit protection mode.
Battery percentage jumping after a cell swap on the Gmini series
After fitting a new cell, the Gmini's fuel gauge recalibrates its voltage-threshold map against the new cell's discharge curve. Until one full charge-discharge cycle completes, the percentage indicator can jump in large increments or stall at an incorrect value. This is not a fault with the battery — it is the onboard gauge resetting its reference points. Run one full charge to 4.2V and a full discharge to automatic shutoff to let the gauge settle.
Playback cutting out before the battery indicator shows empty
The AV500's audio amplifier draws a brief current spike when driving output at higher volumes. Near the end of a cell's discharge curve, voltage sags enough during those spikes to trip the BMS low-voltage cutoff — even though the gauge still shows charge remaining. The device shuts down to protect the cell, not because capacity is gone. Reducing output volume by roughly 20% during the final portion of a charge cycle keeps the voltage above the cutoff threshold and prevents early shutoff.