I assembled it without the batteries since I won’t be getting any for a bit. If I disassemble it to add the batteries later, will that ruin anything? Specifically I’m wondering if anything will happen to the thermal pad or adjacent components when I open it back up.
Nothing will happen. Your thermal pad will be squished out of shape, but that’s as far as things go. Run it without batteries as you please. I’m doing that to my uConsole right now since I’m negotiating to get its screen replaced.