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P850 Problem

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David Eastwood

David Eastwood

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As I posted recently, I've started playing with my old P850 again.

Everything was going well until a few days ago, when it started to show this problem. When I turn it on, it power-cycles once or more times i.e. turns itself off, retracting the lens, and then back on again. Sometimes it settles down, other times it shows no signs of wanting to stop this.

Has anyone ever seen anything like this? I'm using the original battery, which seems to be in good shape and holding a charge, but I suppose it could be degraded after all these years.

I'm reluctant to spend any money on this, however fond of it I am - but a new battery would be a modest investment, if anyone thinks it might do some good.

TIA,

David
 
Can you get a voltage reading just after the battery has been charged? I will charge a couple of my 5000 and 5001 batts up tonight and post here tomorrow what the voltages are. That will give you an idea of your battery's health.

Other than that, I have never read of your issue before. It may be the result of the "famous" bad power switch contact issue that plagued many P880 models back in the day. It generally happened when the cameras weren't used for long lengths of time. Sometimes the contacts got dirt and other times the little contact pin just wore out. There were a few DIY ideas users came up with back those days if you care to go back and read a little.
 
Hike Pics said:
Can you get a voltage reading just after the battery has been charged? I will charge a couple of my 5000 and 5001 batts up tonight and post here tomorrow what the voltages are. That will give you an idea of your battery's health.

Other than that, I have never read of your issue before. It may be the result of the "famous" bad power switch contact issue that plagued many P880 models back in the day. It generally happened when the cameras weren't used for long lengths of time. Sometimes the contacts got dirt and other times the little contact pin just wore out. There were a few DIY ideas users came up with back those days if you care to go back and read a little.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I’ll check the battery voltage and post the results in the next day or two.

I’d wondered about an iffy switch also. I’ll look back at old posts, and I do have some contact cleaner which I’m not shy about using.

I can hardly make it worse :)
 
I checked the battery - fully charged, it reads 4.1 volts, which seems about right for a nominal 3.7v battery pack.

I’m going to take a closer look at the switch. Just working it back and forward several times might free things up; failing that, a little squirt of contact cleaner might be in order.
 
I got around 4.12v to 4.18v from my batts so it doesn't look like that is your issue. That power switch most likely.
 
Hike Pics said:
I got around 4.12v to 4.18v from my batts so it doesn't look like that is your issue. That power switch most likely.
Click to expand...
Thanks - that matches mine.

The power switch will be receiving some attention over the next few days. I might be distracted by temperatures here in Minnesota actually creeping above freezing for the first time in a couple of weeks.
 
Well, after much experimentation, I think my hopes of resurrecting my P850 have to be put to rest.


Much manipulation of the power switch seemed to help, and a judicious application of contact cleaner really seemed to do the trick.


Until the next day, when it was back to the same shenanigans again. Constant power cycling...

Oh well. I have more than enough to keep me busy :)


Here are a few shots taken with this camera between 2006 and 2008.

Grand Marais, MN
Grand Marais, MN

July 4th fireworks. Handheld, if you can believe it...
July 4th fireworks. Handheld, if you can believe it...

As above
As above

Devil Track Lake, MN
Devil Track Lake, MN

Foxton Locks, England
Foxton Locks, England
 
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Oh no, sorry to hear that you're efforts didn't fix it more permanently. But these are wonderful photos from the good ol' days when the camera shined brightly. Always remember that if you look around and are patient you can find another one for not much. I saw one recently for less than $20.
 
Sorry to hear that your 850 is beyond resurrection. I know exactly the feeling when my Z990 zoom stopped working.

Those are really nice shots from your 850.
 
Few years ago in Kodak forum a person showed how to fix the lenses problem (cycling on-off and finally off). I followed his instructions by drilling a small hole on the right side of the camera and use Deoxit D5 spray a tiny shot to the on-off switch. Make sure you cover the lens and let it evaporates for a day. I did it with my P880 and P712 and it worked for both. Tonight I charge the battery and test with the P712 and it works after a few years in the closet. At that time by request I did post the pictures how to do it. I will try again with P880 and let you know.

Hank
 
Sugarland said:
Few years ago in Kodak forum a person showed how to fix the lenses problem (cycling on-off and finally off). I followed his instructions by drilling a small hole on the right side of the camera and use Deoxit D5 spray a tiny shot to the on-off switch. Make sure you cover the lens and let it evaporates for a day. I did it with my P880 and P712 and it worked for both. Tonight I charge the battery and test with the P712 and it works after a few years in the closet. At that time by request I did post the pictures how to do it. I will try again with P880 and let you know.

Hank
Click to expand...
Thanks! I’d love to see a picture of where to drill the hole. I’d be happy to give this a try, to coax some more life out of a camera I enjoyed using very much back in the day.
 
49cd433e799c43459a10b07ba5280c4a.jpg



178667ce8b184c64b63d79480aa6401f.jpg

I put the electrical tape to cover the hole. As you see the lens is not in close position. After you spray cyling the on-off button 5 times and cover the lens well.
 
Thanks for the pictures - that’s very helpful. I’ll give it a whirl.
 
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