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littlemoose · 05-17-2021, 07:29 PM

My k-x has a problem. With charged batteries today it is generally showing no sign of life. I suspect it may be a connection or battery compartment contact issue as I did get a display with one set. It came up with date setting etc (I think the internal battery has been dead for some time ). I cannot see any obvious dirt or corrosion anywhere but I will try to clean the contacts. What is the best way to do that? Is it likely to be some other issue?

Has anybody else had this problem? The camera is in VGC and was working a month or so ago.

**sergysergy** · 05-17-2021, 07:32 PM

The K-x is quite picky with batteries. Try with rechargeable lithium batteries or eneloops. Update the firmware as well.

**UncleVanya** · 05-17-2021, 08:36 PM

A microfiber cloth or alcohol on swabs is how most recommend cleaning the contacts on the mount.

littlemoose · 05-18-2021, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by sergysergy

The K-x is quite picky with batteries. Try with rechargeable lithium batteries or eneloops. Update the firmware as well.

Thanks for that. I have had this since new and this is a first. I have always used Li ion rechargables- currently Duracell ultra. My experience is that Varta are the best but hard to find. I have it going now but I may upgrade my batteries.

Thanks for your effort

---------- Post added 05-19-21 at 09:47 AM ----------

Originally posted by UncleVanya

A microfiber cloth or alcohol on swabs is how most recommend cleaning the contacts on the mount.

I will do that

Thanks

**photogem** · 05-22-2021, 12:17 AM

Originally posted by littlemoose

My k-x has a problem. With charged batteries today it is generally showing no sign of life. I suspect it may be a connection or battery compartment contact issue as I did get a display with one set. It came up with date setting etc (I think the internal battery has been dead for some time ). I cannot see any obvious dirt or corrosion anywhere but I will try to clean the contacts. What is the best way to do that? Is it likely to be some other issue?

Has anybody else had this problem? The camera is in VGC and was working a month or so ago.

In most cases this is a contact-problem.
Cleaning might help a bit, but usually you have to bend the lower contacts inside the battery door upwards a bit so they can put more pressure on the batteries!

Can you test the voltage on your batteries?
If not, better buy cheap AA's for testing before you invest into Eneloops (which are the very best and were recommended by Pentax, much better than Varta which I know well)

And then read here:
Battery type AA/NiMH/Eneloop in K-x, K-r, K30 K50, K500 as well as *ist/K100/200/2000 - PentaxForums.com

If all works out and you can use it again, you then can try to reactivate the memory battery, which is of a Lithium-type.
Change AUTO-OFF so the K-x does not switch off. Leave it on for few hours and the check again.
Never store your k-x without the AA's, that will drain the memory battery!

Just make sure if it is stored for a longer period, you have well-charged Li-Ions inside and particular here Eneloops do show
their quality, they keep their charge way way better than any other AA-rechargeable.
(expent those made by Eneloop of Fujitsu for other companies such as one in Switzerland)

littlemoose · 05-22-2021, 05:00 AM

Originally posted by littlemoose

Thanks for that. I have had this since new and this is a first. I have always used Li ion rechargables- currently Duracell ultra. My experience is that Varta are the best but hard to find. I have it going now but I may upgrade my batteries.

Thanks for your effort

---------- Post added 05-19-21 at 09:47 AM ----------

I will do that

Thanks

Thanks all for your input

it now seems to be okay. I got it going long enough to reset the battery type to Ni Mh ( not LiIon as I incorrectly posted earlier ). It is my back up to my K 50 so the world will not end if it is troublesome on our trip over the next 2 weeks. I never realised that it was picky about batteries.

**photogem** · 05-22-2021, 09:19 AM

Worth not only as a backup-DSLR but as a donor, if ever your K50 develops ABF!

Your K-x most likely has two of the Japansolenoids! One certainly, if nobody tampered with it.
Usually two!
If the green Japansolenoid in your K50 fails, you can swap it with that one for the pop-up flash in your K-x!
It works well there.

If your K50 was made before Dec. 2015, it is more likely that it can develop ABF.
So if DIY is easy for you, if I'd be in your place, I'd swap them anyway.

Then your trip is well prepared.

littlemoose · 05-23-2021, 12:56 AM

Originally posted by photogem

Worth not only as a backup-DSLR but as a donor, if ever your K50 develops ABF!

Your K-x most likely has two of the Japansolenoids! One certainly, if nobody tampered with it.
Usually two!
If the green Japansolenoid in your K50 fails, you can swap it with that one for the pop-up flash in your K-x!
It works well there.

If your K50 was made before Dec. 2015, it is more likely that it can develop ABF.
So if DIY is easy for you, if I'd be in your place, I'd swap them anyway.

Then your trip is well prepared.

Yes

I know about ABF. Mine was repaired free of charge after 3 years-very impressed.

05-17-2021, 07:29 PM	#1
littlemoose Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Brisbane Posts: 88	K x problem My k-x has a problem. With charged batteries today it is generally showing no sign of life. I suspect it may be a connection or battery compartment contact issue as I did get a display with one set. It came up with date setting etc (I think the internal battery has been dead for some time ). I cannot see any obvious dirt or corrosion anywhere but I will try to clean the contacts. What is the best way to do that? Is it likely to be some other issue? Has anybody else had this problem? The camera is in VGC and was working a month or so ago.

05-22-2021, 12:17 AM	#5
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,525	Originally posted by littlemoose My k-x has a problem. With charged batteries today it is generally showing no sign of life. I suspect it may be a connection or battery compartment contact issue as I did get a display with one set. It came up with date setting etc (I think the internal battery has been dead for some time ). I cannot see any obvious dirt or corrosion anywhere but I will try to clean the contacts. What is the best way to do that? Is it likely to be some other issue? Has anybody else had this problem? The camera is in VGC and was working a month or so ago. In most cases this is a contact-problem. Cleaning might help a bit, but usually you have to bend the lower contacts inside the battery door upwards a bit so they can put more pressure on the batteries! Can you test the voltage on your batteries? If not, better buy cheap AA's for testing before you invest into Eneloops (which are the very best and were recommended by Pentax, much better than Varta which I know well) And then read here: Battery type AA/NiMH/Eneloop in K-x, K-r, K30 K50, K500 as well as ist/K100/200/2000 - PentaxForums.com If all works out and you can use it again, you then can try to reactivate the memory battery, which is of a Lithium-type. Change AUTO-OFF so the K-x does not switch off. Leave it on for few hours and the check again. Never store your k-x without the AA's, that will drain the memory battery! Just make sure if it is stored for a longer period, you have well-charged Li-Ions inside and particular here Eneloops do show their quality, they keep their charge way way better than any other AA-rechargeable. (expent those made by Eneloop of Fujitsu for other companies such as one in Switzerland) Last edited by photogem; 05-22-2021 at 12:26 AM.*

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05-17-2021, 07:32 PM	#2
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,175	The K-x is quite picky with batteries. Try with rechargeable lithium batteries or eneloops. Update the firmware as well.

05-17-2021, 08:36 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,470	A microfiber cloth or alcohol on swabs is how most recommend cleaning the contacts on the mount.

05-18-2021, 04:46 PM	#4
littlemoose Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Brisbane Posts: 88 Original Poster	Originally posted by sergysergy The K-x is quite picky with batteries. Try with rechargeable lithium batteries or eneloops. Update the firmware as well. Thanks for that. I have had this since new and this is a first. I have always used Li ion rechargables- currently Duracell ultra. My experience is that Varta are the best but hard to find. I have it going now but I may upgrade my batteries. Thanks for your effort ---------- Post added 05-19-21 at 09:47 AM ---------- Originally posted by UncleVanya A microfiber cloth or alcohol on swabs is how most recommend cleaning the contacts on the mount. I will do that Thanks

05-22-2021, 05:00 AM	#6
littlemoose Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Brisbane Posts: 88 Original Poster	Originally posted by littlemoose Thanks for that. I have had this since new and this is a first. I have always used Li ion rechargables- currently Duracell ultra. My experience is that Varta are the best but hard to find. I have it going now but I may upgrade my batteries. Thanks for your effort ---------- Post added 05-19-21 at 09:47 AM ---------- I will do that Thanks Thanks all for your input it now seems to be okay. I got it going long enough to reset the battery type to Ni Mh ( not LiIon as I incorrectly posted earlier ). It is my back up to my K 50 so the world will not end if it is troublesome on our trip over the next 2 weeks. I never realised that it was picky about batteries.

05-22-2021, 09:19 AM	#7
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,525	Worth not only as a backup-DSLR but as a donor, if ever your K50 develops ABF! Your K-x most likely has two of the Japansolenoids! One certainly, if nobody tampered with it. Usually two! If the green Japansolenoid in your K50 fails, you can swap it with that one for the pop-up flash in your K-x! It works well there. If your K50 was made before Dec. 2015, it is more likely that it can develop ABF. So if DIY is easy for you, if I'd be in your place, I'd swap them anyway. Then your trip is well prepared.

05-23-2021, 12:56 AM	#8
littlemoose Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Brisbane Posts: 88 Original Poster	Originally posted by photogem Worth not only as a backup-DSLR but as a donor, if ever your K50 develops ABF! Your K-x most likely has two of the Japansolenoids! One certainly, if nobody tampered with it. Usually two! If the green Japansolenoid in your K50 fails, you can swap it with that one for the pop-up flash in your K-x! It works well there. If your K50 was made before Dec. 2015, it is more likely that it can develop ABF. So if DIY is easy for you, if I'd be in your place, I'd swap them anyway. Then your trip is well prepared. Yes I know about ABF. Mine was repaired free of charge after 3 years-very impressed.

K x problem

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