Minolta Hi-Matic F

[Harlee]

Just received a Hi-Matic F today in nice condition. Had to jerryrig some spacers for a zinc air 1.4V batteries but unfortunately the test/check button doesn't light up nor does the shutter open. I put an voltmeter across the two battery terminals in the camera and both batteries are showing 1.4V. I hope to remove the camera bottom tomorrow to check out the solder joints, but since I have voltage across the terminals I'm assuming that there is voltage going into the camera. Any suggestions?

[colyn]

This camera is well known for corroded terminal wires. Check out the wires when you remove the bottom cover. You may have to replace them since it is nearly impossible to solder the wires even after cleaning them..

[Harlee]

You're correct Colyn. After removing the bottom plate, both battery terminal wires were corroded and literally broke off while trying to clean them with viniger and a
Q-Tip. I did manage to solder an extension to the red terminal wire, but the black terminal wire was so brittle that it broke below the caseing and I'm not sure how to get at it. I think I'll have to peel back the covering and open up the front of the camera and see if I can get at the broken wire to resolder an extension on it, but right now I've got too man irons in the fire, so on the shelf it goes for a week or more. I think that resoldering a extension wire on them and then soldering them to the battery terminals may bring about some good results - at least I hope so!

[farlymac]

Make sure to use some flux to clean the terminals. It keeps you from melting down the battery well.

PF

[Moto-Uno]

Just in case ,do not use acid core solder.Use the rosin(sp) core designed for electrical use.The acid core works well,BUT in time it eats away at the wire.
regards,Peter