Olympus C700 - Progress at last!

[Ken Weitzel]

Thanks for the good words, Jim! It's just a hobby camera and so I'm not in
a hurry to get if fixed or dish out a couple hundred $$. More fun for me to
diagnose it and hopefully fix the blasted thing .... and pass along what I
find out.

After a few plugging/unplugging, turns out there's no oxide build up on the
AC receptacle. Dang it, that would've been too much to ask!

Hi...

Dunno how much it matters, if at all... but not
on the ac receptacle.

Rather, there's a switch as part of that jack. When you
insert your plug, it physically pushes the switch open,
breaking the connection between the battery set and the
camera. So that the batteries and ac adapter aren't
paralleled. Naturally it follows that when you remove the
plug, the "switch" returns to its resting position, so
that the batteries are once again connected to the camera.

If you have a stereo and/or headphone set you'll get
the principle... plug in the headphones and the speakers
disconnect; remove the plug and the speakers are again
connected.

You might try inserting and removing it many times, slowly.
Perhaps rotating the plug a little while it's inserted.

I really, really hope that you don't even think about
dis-assembling your camera. Really. So, if all else
fails, you might try just a single puff of contact
cleaner. That jack is an enclosed assembly, spraying
into it won't be spraying into the camera unless you
"drown" it.

So, you might pick up a spray can of contact cleaner
(in Canada anyway, Radio Shack, about $10 CDN).
Then holding the camera so the jack is down, give it
just a single puff into that jack. A tiny, tiny
amount, a fraction of a second spray. And continuing
to hold it jack down, immediately insert and remove
the plug over and over. If the plug is at fault, this
should clean it up. Leave it air dry overnight, propped
somehow so it rests plug down. On a sheet of newspaper
just in case.

I'm writing from photo.digital, perhaps the sci.electronics
guys will have better/more advice.

Take care, and all the best in the new year.

Ken

 

[Ken Weitzel]

Thanks for the good words, Jim! It's just a hobby camera and so I'm not in
a hurry to get if fixed or dish out a couple hundred $$. More fun for me to
diagnose it and hopefully fix the blasted thing .... and pass along what I
find out.

After a few plugging/unplugging, turns out there's no oxide build up on the
AC receptacle. Dang it, that would've been too much to ask!

Hi again...

Quickly added... for safety sake.

If you DO decide to do the spray cleaner suggestion,
then wear glasses while you do it. You'll
be puffing your shot of cleaner against a very very
small enclosure, and the risk of it blowing back against
your eyes is great.

Particularly holding the camera up so as to spray upward
into the jack.

Be cautious. Your eyes are worth much more than any
camera!

Ken

 

[Fred]

Thanks, Ken. I sure can't see a switch down in there, but will certainly
give the spray treatment a try.

Specially thanks for the safety warning.

And Happy New Year!

Fred

 

[Ken Weitzel]

Thanks, Ken. I sure can't see a switch down in there, but will certainly
give the spray treatment a try.

Hi...

Send me an email if you like; and I'll send you back a small
picture of the switch idea.

Ken

 

[Gymy Bob]

There are backpacks with solar cells maunted on them.

That's right! Know where I can find a 500-ft extension cord?

So now to use the Olympus, you're goping to have to tote an AC supply?

Figures from that company ...

PS -- For others with questions or problems about the C-700, you can
subscribe to the yahoogroups email list. Lots of very helpful folks
there....

To subscribe, visit their homepage http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oly_C-700/

Fred again

Looks like we're making progress -- thanks to that real nice feller who
posted and suggested I try using the camera with an AC adapter.

[Note to the "try a new battery" crowd: No, it wasn't the batteries.]

I picked up an adapter at Frys Electronics for $19.99. I saw some on ebay
and elsewhere online cheaper, but by the time you add the $5-10 "shipping
and handling" and wonder what kind of adapter you're "really" going

to

get

fine

for

and

the

 

[CSM1]

Alkaline AA batteries are your problem. Alkaline batteries are not able to
supply the high current for a digital camera for very long. There is
probraly nothing wrong with your camera, it is doing what it should do with
Alkaline Batteries.

The best battery to use for a digital camera is equal to or greater than
1600 MAh NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride). These are rechargeable and cost around
$10 for a set of 4 batteries. The charger for these batteries, fast charge
(about 1-2 hours) is about $30.

Lion batteries are also good for digital cameras.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

Thanks, TRR.

No idea on the current rating of the batteries -- they're garden variety,
off the shelf alkaline AA 1.5V. Over the years, I have tried all the major
brands with same good results - 100-150 480x640 photos on a set when the
camera was working good.

And, yes, it did seem like pretty high current to me, too. But the specs
say
it draws 2100 ma and, snooping around the camera shop, I see that some of
the others draw high current too.

Fred

Just curious..... what is, or was, the milli/amp rating of the batteries
that seemed to fail ? The AC adapter you found puts out a lot more
amps than a same voltage AC transformer for a phone or whatever. Glad
you're gaining on the problem......

Looks like we're making progress -- thanks to that real nice feller who
posted and suggested I try using the camera with an AC adapter.

[Note to the "try a new battery" crowd: No, it wasn't the batteries.]

 

[jakdedert]

Hi again...

Quickly added... for safety sake.

If you DO decide to do the spray cleaner suggestion,
then wear glasses while you do it. You'll
be puffing your shot of cleaner against a very very
small enclosure, and the risk of it blowing back against
your eyes is great.

Particularly holding the camera up so as to spray upward
into the jack.

Be cautious. Your eyes are worth much more than any
camera!

I'd be a good deal more concerned about the camera itself, than my eyes.
Really, we've been spraying contact cleaner and other aerosols for years.
Surely we can do it safely.

OTOH, there are gears and optics inside there. Get some of that stuff on
there, and results are unpredictable at best.

I'd take the damn thing apart...damn the torpedoes. Use a maginfier light,
work slowly, carefully. Take pictures (with another camera of
course...maybe video) of the disassembly. Digicams are difficult, but not
impossible, to successfully R&R.

If I can do my Coolpix--much smaller, I believe than the Oly--he should be
able to dismantle enough to protect the rest of the camera from overspray
when cleaning the power jack.

Still, just cycling the power connector in and out may be all it needs.....

jak

 

[Asimov]

"CSM1" bravely wrote to "All" (30 Dec 04 17:00:24)
--- on the heady topic of "Re: Olympus C700 - Progress at last!"


Been hearing about NiMH batteries setting people's pockets on fire
from their cell phones. Could be a heads up moment?


CS> From: "CSM1" <[email protected]>
CS> Xref: aeinews alt.comp.periphs.dcameras:664 aus.photo:1504

CS> Alkaline AA batteries are your problem. Alkaline batteries are not
CS> able to supply the high current for a digital camera for very long.
CS> There is probraly nothing wrong with your camera, it is doing what it
CS> should do with Alkaline Batteries.

CS> The best battery to use for a digital camera is equal to or greater
CS> than 1600 MAh NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride). These are rechargeable and
CS> cost around $10 for a set of 4 batteries. The charger for these
CS> batteries, fast charge (about 1-2 hours) is about $30.

CS> Lion batteries are also good for digital cameras.

CS> --
CS> CSM1
CS> http://www.carlmcmillan.com

.... The current limits placed are based on resistance

 

[Fred]

I appreciate the info and will look into the NiCad's. Not saying you're
wrong, but how would you explain the fact that for 2 years prior to the
camera failing, I used alkaline batteries and got 100-150 480x640 photos on
a set of 4 before having to replace them?

Alkaline AA batteries are your problem. Alkaline batteries are not able to
supply the high current for a digital camera for very long. There is
probraly nothing wrong with your camera, it is doing what it should do with
Alkaline Batteries.

The best battery to use for a digital camera is equal to or greater than
1600 MAh NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride). These are rechargeable and cost around
$10 for a set of 4 batteries. The charger for these batteries, fast charge
(about 1-2 hours) is about $30.

Lion batteries are also good for digital cameras.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

Thanks, TRR.

No idea on the current rating of the batteries -- they're garden variety,
off the shelf alkaline AA 1.5V. Over the years, I have tried all the major
brands with same good results - 100-150 480x640 photos on a set when the
camera was working good.

And, yes, it did seem like pretty high current to me, too. But the specs
say
it draws 2100 ma and, snooping around the camera shop, I see that some of
the others draw high current too.

Fred

Just curious..... what is, or was, the milli/amp rating of the batteries
that seemed to fail ? The AC adapter you found puts out a lot more
amps than a same voltage AC transformer for a phone or whatever. Glad
you're gaining on the problem......

Fred wrote:
Looks like we're making progress -- thanks to that real nice feller who
posted and suggested I try using the camera with an AC adapter.

[Note to the "try a new battery" crowd: No, it wasn't the batteries.]

 

[Fred]

Thanks, Ken! You can send it to me at [email protected]

Fred

 

[Fred]

Another interesting development....

I took a few photos with the help of the AC adapter. Then unplugged the
adapter. Turned on the camera and the zoom starting cycling out 1/2-inch,
then back in 1/2-inch, back and forth.... The power switch had no effect on
it. Had to open the battery door and break the connection to stop the
cycling.

Am I on candid camera??!

Fred

 

[CSM1]

NOT NiCad, NiMh, Nickel Metal Hydride. WalMart sells a fast charger with
four NiMh batteries for about $25. Buy a second of four NiMh batteries for
about $10.

Those are two different batteries. NiCad has a memory and does not retain a
charge as well as NiMh.

I have no explanation why you used to get that out of Alkaline AA batteries,
except maybe you were using CR-V3 lithium batteries instead.

On page 19 of this Camera manual (loading Batteries).

This camera uses two CR-V3 lithium battery packs or four AA (R6) NiMH
batteries, NiCd batteries, alkaline batteries or lithium batteries.

Important
CR-V3 lithium batteries cannot be recharged.
Do not peel off the label from a CR-V3 lithium battery pack.
Manganese (zinc-carbon) batteries cannot be used.

The manual also says on page 20:

Precautions when using batteries
The amount of power consumed varies considerably depending on the
operations performed on the digital camera. If you use exhausted
batteries or alkaline batteries, the camera may turn off without
displaying the battery level warning (P.15).


C700UZ manual (10.2MB)
http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/c700uz_reference.pdf

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

I appreciate the info and will look into the NiCad's. Not saying you're
wrong, but how would you explain the fact that for 2 years prior to the
camera failing, I used alkaline batteries and got 100-150 480x640 photos on
a set of 4 before having to replace them?

Alkaline AA batteries are your problem. Alkaline batteries are not able to
supply the high current for a digital camera for very long. There is
probraly nothing wrong with your camera, it is doing what it should do with
Alkaline Batteries.

The best battery to use for a digital camera is equal to or greater than
1600 MAh NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride). These are rechargeable and cost around
$10 for a set of 4 batteries. The charger for these batteries, fast charge
(about 1-2 hours) is about $30.

Lion batteries are also good for digital cameras.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

Thanks, TRR.

No idea on the current rating of the batteries -- they're garden variety,
off the shelf alkaline AA 1.5V. Over the years, I have tried all the major
brands with same good results - 100-150 480x640 photos on a set when the
camera was working good.

And, yes, it did seem like pretty high current to me, too. But the specs
say
it draws 2100 ma and, snooping around the camera shop, I see that some of
the others draw high current too.

Fred

Just curious..... what is, or was, the milli/amp rating of the batteries
that seemed to fail ? The AC adapter you found puts out a lot more
amps than a same voltage AC transformer for a phone or whatever. Glad
you're gaining on the problem......

Fred wrote:
Looks like we're making progress -- thanks to that real nice feller who
posted and suggested I try using the camera with an AC adapter.

[Note to the "try a new battery" crowd: No, it wasn't the batteries.]

 

[J. A. Mc.]

Another interesting development....

I took a few photos with the help of the AC adapter. Then unplugged the
adapter. Turned on the camera and the zoom starting cycling out 1/2-inch,
then back in 1/2-inch, back and forth.... The power switch had no effect on
it. Had to open the battery door and break the connection to stop the
cycling.

Am I on candid camera??!

Fred

No, just being Olympussy whipped ...

 

[Fred]

Thanks for the explanation and the websites.

FWIW, checked my battery stock and all are standard alkaline batteries - not
lithium batteries, etc. Looking at the alkaline batteries, I don't see
anywhere what the current rating is - one is Panasonic "made for digital
cameras", others I have here (new) are Energizer, Ever Ready.

NOT NiCad, NiMh, Nickel Metal Hydride. WalMart sells a fast charger with
four NiMh batteries for about $25. Buy a second of four NiMh batteries for
about $10.

Those are two different batteries. NiCad has a memory and does not retain a
charge as well as NiMh.

I have no explanation why you used to get that out of Alkaline AA batteries,
except maybe you were using CR-V3 lithium batteries instead.

On page 19 of this Camera manual (loading Batteries).

This camera uses two CR-V3 lithium battery packs or four AA (R6) NiMH
batteries, NiCd batteries, alkaline batteries or lithium batteries.

Important
CR-V3 lithium batteries cannot be recharged.
Do not peel off the label from a CR-V3 lithium battery pack.
Manganese (zinc-carbon) batteries cannot be used.

The manual also says on page 20:

Precautions when using batteries
The amount of power consumed varies considerably depending on the
operations performed on the digital camera. If you use exhausted
batteries or alkaline batteries, the camera may turn off without
displaying the battery level warning (P.15).


C700UZ manual (10.2MB)
http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/c700uz_reference.pdf

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

I appreciate the info and will look into the NiCad's. Not saying you're
wrong, but how would you explain the fact that for 2 years prior to the
camera failing, I used alkaline batteries and got 100-150 480x640 photos on
a set of 4 before having to replace them?

able

to

supply the high current for a digital camera for very long. There is
probraly nothing wrong with your camera, it is doing what it should do with
Alkaline Batteries.

The best battery to use for a digital camera is equal to or greater than
1600 MAh NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride). These are rechargeable and cost around
$10 for a set of 4 batteries. The charger for these batteries, fast charge
(about 1-2 hours) is about $30.

Lion batteries are also good for digital cameras.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

Thanks, TRR.

No idea on the current rating of the batteries -- they're garden variety,
off the shelf alkaline AA 1.5V. Over the years, I have tried all the major
brands with same good results - 100-150 480x640 photos on a set when the
camera was working good.

And, yes, it did seem like pretty high current to me, too. But the specs
say
it draws 2100 ma and, snooping around the camera shop, I see that

some
of

the others draw high current too.

Fred

Just curious..... what is, or was, the milli/amp rating of the batteries
that seemed to fail ? The AC adapter you found puts out a lot more
amps than a same voltage AC transformer for a phone or whatever. Glad
you're gaining on the problem......

Fred wrote:
Looks like we're making progress -- thanks to that real nice

feller
who

posted and suggested I try using the camera with an AC adapter.

[Note to the "try a new battery" crowd: No, it wasn't the batteries.]

 

[Jim Adney]

After a few plugging/unplugging, turns out there's no oxide build up on the
AC receptacle. Dang it, that would've been too much to ask!

Looking back, I don't think I was clear on my suggested failure mode.
I was thinking that there might be an extra contact in the AC adaptor
jack (an "open circuit jack") that would open and close every time you
inserted the AC adaptor.

It's just possible that they used this contact to provide power in the
absence of the adaptor, but if the contact got resistive, then this
"resistor" would be in series with your batteries, and would make them
look discharged.

Just inserting the AC adaptor plug a few times, or maybe just once,
would have exercised this contact and broken thru the insulating oxide
layer, fixing your problem.

I don't know how realistic it is, but at least it fits your
observations.

If I'm right, you don't have to do anything else for a few more years.
Then, when you have the problem again, just insert the AC adaptor plug
in the camera jack a few times and you should get a fresh start. I
wouldn't do ANYTHING else.

-

 

[Fred]

Thanks, Jim. I did try this - several times, and have since plugged the
adapter in and out many times taking photos using it. Still the same
problem with the camera not recognizing good batteries thought. Thanks -
appreciate the advice.

Fred

 

[Jim Adney]

Thanks, Jim. I did try this - several times, and have since plugged the
adapter in and out many times taking photos using it. Still the same
problem with the camera not recognizing good batteries thought. Thanks -
appreciate the advice.

Then I removed the AC adapter and used it with the same batteries only again
and it worked every time, zooms in/out, etc. just fine and no battery bad
message.

I took this to mean that the problem had gone away.

-

 

[PJx]

Another interesting development....

I took a few photos with the help of the AC adapter. Then unplugged the
adapter. Turned on the camera and the zoom starting cycling out 1/2-inch,
then back in 1/2-inch, back and forth.... The power switch had no effect on
it. Had to open the battery door and break the connection to stop the
cycling.

Am I on candid camera??!

Fred

Sounds like your voltage regulator circuit has a bad component such
as a leaky capacitor or defective zener diode.


PJ

 

[Fred]

Sounds like your voltage regulator circuit has a bad component such
as a leaky capacitor or defective zener diode.

Actually, in this case, it turned out to be something simpler - the
adapter/battery switch in the ac adapter plug on the camera had an oxided
coated on it. A little exercise and it wore the oxide off.

 

[Wolf359]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3876723845&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT