Battery Drain - what causes it, is there a fix?

[monochromejrnl]

I recently obtained a Konica Big Mini (BM-302) and put what I thought was a new battery in it about a day ago. Go to use it today and notice that the battery low indicator is on and the shutter will not fire.

Any idea on what causes battery drain? Is there a way to check (other than to buy another $10 battery to test) and is there an simple fix for battery drain? thanks in advance for your input.

 

[iamzip]

Without knowing anything about this specific camera, all I can say is that generally speaking it is very difficult to track down electrical problems. Usually they are caused by some sort of short. The simplest thing to do is to check and make sure that nothing is left on, no buttons get pressed accidentaly when you put the camera away, etc. I have a Fujica compact deluxe where the meter is always on - if you don't put a lens cap on it, the battery will run out. If it isn't a simple fix like that, I'm afraid your only solution might be to have the camera repaired.

 

[monochromejrnl]

thanks - the Konica Big mini is a small pocketable P&S film camera, it takes 3V CR123 lithium batteries that should be good for 30 rolls (according to the manual I found online). It has a built in flash and my initial thought was that the battery was being drained by the flash capacitor as the camera defaults to Auto Flash mode. The camera can be turned off and on (with the lens retracting into the body when off). It's a great little camera and I'd love to use it but if I can't get resolve this issue, I'll be sending it back to the local seller for a refund. It isn't worth much so I don't want to have to send it in for repair.

thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggetions

 

[fidget]

It's possible that the battery was at fault or was flat. Have you tried another battery? This is likely what they would ask when you return it.
A known new battery should confirm it.