? about the Sverdlovsk 4 meter.

[rbiemer]

I just today picked up my "new" Sverdlovsk 4 meter. And, it's fine: very little used if at all(maybe some shelf wear on the plastic box it came in), agrees well with my other reliable meters.
I am using, for now any way, the external battery box and three AA cells.
What have the rest of you folks done about the battery? I've read lots of different recommendations and the main theme seems to be any thing that will fit and provide the required input voltage is OK but I'd welcome more specific suggestions from other users of this meter.
Thanks all!
Rob

 

[Blank288]

Hi Rob,

I use three LR76-type 1.5v batteries sticked together with a piece of duct tape, plus an old nut to fill the remaining gap. Never had accuracy problems with that combo.

It is a really fine meter: light and accurate. I often take it on wandering tours instead of my much bulkier Gossen.
My example however, bought on a camera market 'new' in its 'gift-box' from a Russian fellow who sayd he was born in Sverdlovsk too, is by all standards the worst finished example of FSU craftmanship I've ever owned. The second time I took it out it's case for some metering, just when I pushed the button it sayd "TACK" and fell apart in its three main parts: front and back shell and inner electronic component splashed all over the street.
Back home I removed the back metal plate (with the russian correction table), to discover that all the fixing screws which should clamp the shells together, were readily put in, but not fixed at all.
After putting the parts back together and fixing the screws it worked flawless again.

Erik

 

[AlexBurdov]

Sverdlovsk-4 use three PC53 (РЦ53) batary. It contain quicksilver and not produced now. I am use it analog - GP625, but PC53 = 1,35V - GP623 = 1,5V.
Need correction.
Simple corection set + - EV on meter.
1) Set ISO 100 ( GOST65 - on older model meter)
2) Close meter window and press black and red butoon
3) Tune meter ( red lamp = light)
4) Input +- EV - so as ^ concur with П

 

[outfitter]

Alfred covers batterys and calibration here:

http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/sverdlovsk4/

 

[rbiemer]

After some further reading and thought, I decided to try what I had on hand: 3 LR44 cells taped together and a small crumpled piece of foil as a spacer. After calibrating, success!
Makes for a much handier package.
And then I looked around on line and found Radio Shack part # 23-026:
a 3.6V 850mAh lithium cell.
Not especially cheap but I figured it ought to last a good long while. Headed off to my local Radio Shack and didn't buy one. Not that the battery was not going to work but because I encountered the worst attitude I have ever got in a retail store.
I was hoping for one basic piece of info: the physical dimensions of this battery. I should have just bought the damn battery and returned it if it didn't fit but thought I would avoid some hassle by trying to explain what I wanted. BIG mistake. The kid "helping" me wasn't listening and then got condescending as well. :bang:
Apparently I can "only use what the meter instructions say you can. Ya know, ya can't just put anything in there. Sigh. I'll have to look it up. Sigh." I really wish I'd had the Russian instructions that came with the meter with me--but then I'm some times a little evil that way.😀
The end of the conversation was a loud, "Go ahead and get it somewhere else, I don't care!"
It's sort of amusing today and I understand a little better why my folks were so exasperated with me as a snotty kid. But yesterday I was incensed.
Today, I went to another town close by--not for the battery but because that town has one of the few remaining camera stores and I neede some film and was hoping for a few filters.
And drove by another Radio Shack.
So I stopped in and was very pleasantly helped by the saleskid there.
The battery is not a perfect fit, there is a small gap between the aluminum plate and the body of the meter. But, after the calibration routine, it's good to go. I may either dimple the plate or drill it in the right spot so the positive end will mate with the plate better and then the fit should be fine.
Lastly, the battery itself is not a Radio Shack brand but a "SAFT" brand and that part/model number is LS 14250.
Rob

 

[Blank288]

Rob,

Thanks for the hint - I 've noted the battery number.
It will be good news for you that battery life - in my Sverdlovsk at least - appears to be great: the three previously used LR44's I 've put in the meter about 2 years ago to test it, still work fine.
(Indeed LR44, not LR76, as I wrote before ...)

Erik

 

[Pyrs]

Hello Rob,
Many thanks for the advise on the suitability of a LS14250 battery.
I managed to get one here in the UK and noticed your slight difficulty in closing the lid on the battery.
Did you happen to miss the trick of using the top plate of the AA battery pack as a washer or spacer?
Turn this upside down and present it to the meter so that the +ve terminal of the battery pops through the square hole, then screw up the bottom plate for a much tidier and neater finish. It's the handiest meter Ive ever had and it fits easily into me shirt pocket. Best regards, Pyrs.

 

[varjag]

You can also use a coin or two as a spacer.

 

[rbiemer]

Pyrs,
I had not thought of doing that. Thank you for the idea! I've just tried it and it fits pretty well and does look OK too. A quick re-calibration for this battery and I'm good to go. I am very happy with this meter(and more so now🙂 )
Thanks,
Rob

Hello Rob,
Many thanks for the advise on the suitability of a LS14250 battery.
I managed to get one here in the UK and noticed your slight difficulty in closing the lid on the battery.
Did you happen to miss the trick of using the top plate of the AA battery pack as a washer or spacer?
Turn this upside down and present it to the meter so that the +ve terminal of the battery pops through the square hole, then screw up the bottom plate for a much tidier and neater finish. It's the handiest meter Ive ever had and it fits easily into me shirt pocket. Best regards, Pyrs.