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Posted by Mike Graham on October 16, 2000 at 02:04:34:
In Reply to: Re: Pentax KX battery cap posted by Suzanne on October 10, 2000 at 01:01:20:
Suzanne,
Lost battery compartment covers is a major problem. The threads and cover diameter are by no means standardized. However, if you have a chance to visit a photo-fair in your area, you might find a defective light meter or similar device that has a usable battery cover that will fit your camera. You'll have to take your Pentax along to check the fit, but I bet you'll find something that'll work!
Depending on how handy you are, there are a couple of tricks you can use to solve the problem temporarily. Take a look at the empty compartment - if the circular battery holder has a separate contact on the side for the plus terminal and a center contact for minus, you can get by with a plastic or wooden cover. One method of making a cover would be to mix up some fibreglass (car body filler paste). Wipe some vaseline onto the threads of the battery compartment to prevent the fibreglass from sticking to the inside of the hole, and, working quickly because the fibreglass hardens fast, make a small ball about the size of the hole. Carefully squeeze this into the hole, turning it clockwise so it goes into the thread on the camera, and wait for it to dry. Make sure you leave enough to grip, and unscrew the new cap when it's dry. Bingo!
You'll have to trim this new fibreglass cap to the right depth using sandpaper, and it won't look pretty. But it will work.
If you don't see a second contact for plus, it means the cap has to be metal. With a bit of imagination, even a paperclip can be bent into a shape to clip the battery into position. Or a small piece of metal... you'll have to experiment. -- Mike
Editor's Note: One camera repair facility has posted messages in the past about Pentax camera parts and Pentax camera repair. Visit Picture Perfect Unlimited and see if they can sell you the part.
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