Yet another Electro 35 battery problem - GS

[lusth]

In another thread, after failing to fix a GSN, I said I was going to try and resurrect a GS that has no power.

NorpA said:
check the negative pole, usually you will find corrosion there. clean the wire + solder it to the pole.

Indeed, that appears to be the problem. But which one is the negative terminal? Yashica Guy has a picture of the negative terminal and my camera's circuit board looks something like that (although the wiring appears a bit different). I've marked what I think is the negative terminal in the attached picture with a red question mark.

However, when I probe that pad with the lead from the negative terminal and try the battery check light, I get nothing. There is continuity from the negative spring in the battery slot to the lead I'm probing with, so it's not that. I have a fresh battery showing 6 volts.

Is the pad I've marked the correct pad? If so, why doesn't my probing allow me to flash the battery check light? EE is not my strong suit!

 

[john_h]

Here is a schematic of the battery checker base. The white wire is negative and the red is positive. Maybe you could test across the two bulb wires directly and see if the bulb is still good. My GSN had a lot of corrosion, and some of the solder connections were broken.

 

[lusth]

Thanks for the checker schematic. I'll check (haha) it out.


I did discover another problem, I think. Testing continuity between the positive lead of the battery holder and the metal mechanical doohickeys of the camera (essentially the case) show a 300 ohm resistance. It should be zero, should it not? The case should be isolated from the circuit, no? If I remember correctly, the case carries current to the negative lead in a Yashica Lynx, but that is not true for the Electro 35 series.

 

[monopix]

I don't remember if the chassis is +ve or -ve but I don't think it relies on the chassis to make a connection. There are separate wires from each end of the battery.

Yes, I'm pretty sure the terminal you've marked is the -ve. It has a white wire. There are a few versions of that board which makes it difficult sometimes.

What battery are you using? The battery check light may not come on with some batteries as they can't deliver the current required and the voltage drops below the threshold when you press the battery check lamp.

 

[lusth]

The battery is a 4LR44, so it should have worked.

I gave up on this camera. It's currently for sale on eBay. I did manage to get a GSN working (I bought a few Yashicas at the dawn of the digital age. I'm finally getting around to fixing them (or attempting to). I just got a Lynx 14e working as well. It and the GSN will go to my son.

Thanks for all the help! Getting a camera working is quite rewarding!

 

[monopix]

The 4LR44 isn't ideal. When new it would probably light the battery check lamp but not guaranteed. This might be of interest http://www.contax139.co.uk/yashica-electro-35-batteries

 

[tbhv55]

This might be of interest http://www.contax139.co.uk/yashica-electro-35-batteries

Yes, and I can vouch for the Small Battery Company in the UK (mentioned on that link). Their replacement for the mercury PX32 is listed as the A32PX, and I have found it to be excellent.

I've bought from them a number of times, and have always received good quality items, and great service. One might say that their web site looks a little dated, but it's functional, and it gets the job done - and that's what counts. Far better that way, than a glossy appearance, but hopeless functionality. 🙂 (The usual disclaimer: I have no connection with the company, other than as a satisfied customer.)

 

[lusth]

Thanks for the tips. I'll get some good batteries to send to my son.