My K-3 keeps forgetting time and date

**steamloco76** · 12-06-2020, 03:28 PM

Originally posted by photogem

That is a problem of the internal MS414 battery. This is a Lithium-type which goes bad when the camera sits without its D-Li90 battery for a long time unused:
It discharges beyond a certain limit which kills the battery (Li-Ions go bad for the same reason if discharged too strong).
Only chance: Disassembly + DIY or sending it in (which is expensive, the mainboard has to be removed to get to it)
The soldering here is critical, tiny contacts!

The forum member from which I purchased the camera neglected to mention the dead memory battery. I assume it was part of the reason they sold the camera. Oh well, I guess I will have to re-check the two lenses I know require fine focus adjustment on the K-3 and note the setting under the lens cap. Have to set it manually every time. The date and time don’t bother me, both ofmy Q series cameras never hold it either.

**photogem** · 12-06-2020, 10:49 PM

Try one thing:
In the menu set the time when it automatically switches off to OFF, so that it won't switch off.
Then leave it switched on for lets say 5 hours.

Then try again (and don't forget to set the menu back as you need it)

pkboy · 12-12-2020, 11:02 PM

This started happening to me after I left the k-3 in a cold room (12 deg C) without the battery because it was charging. After that, the internal battery was just gone.

**steamloco76** · 12-13-2020, 02:57 AM

Originally posted by photogem

Try one thing:
In the menu set the time when it automatically switches off to OFF, so that it won't switch off.
Then leave it switched on for lets say 5 hours.

Then try again (and don't forget to set the menu back as you need it)

Unfortunately, this did not work. I’m glad I only have two lensed which really need fine focus adjustment. I will just avoid using them on the K-3.

**photogem** · 12-13-2020, 05:56 AM

to bad, but if you got the K3 from a forum-member, maybe there is a chance for some compensation?

**steamloco76** · 12-13-2020, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by photogem

to bad, but if you got the K3 from a forum-member, maybe there is a chance for some compensation?

I bought a package deal with the K-3, battery grip, for $500 shipped. I don't think the owner had used the camera much in the months before I purchased it.

EnglishBob · 12-15-2020, 09:39 AM

Probably something to look for in the low shutter count closet queens that will appear in the next decade.

fayssal · 12-19-2020, 05:05 AM

Essalam aleykoum,

I was facing same issue with my old K30, I used to do a fast batteries replacement ( I had two ) to avoid time and date deleting.
It's due to capacitor death

**photogem** · 12-19-2020, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by fayssal

I was facing same issue with my old K30, I used to do a fast batteries replacement ( I had two ) to avoid time and date deleting.
It's due to capacitor death

Again, it is NOT a capacitor, it is due to a lithium battery.

The capacitor is a myth.

Very important because writing about capacitors makes people believe it is capacitors.
But it is an MS414 lithium
Well documented!
And any person implying that it is an ELNA supercap and who would exchange the MS414 with the ELNA would experience
a very strong drainage of the main battery up to death of that battery.

So my recommendation: Better to read the whole thread first.

Ah... just 3 days ago I had to replace the MS414 on a K500.
It is a tricky soldering job, because you need a tiny needle plus a lot of heat!

stevebrot · 12-19-2020, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by photogem

Again, it is NOT a capacitor, it is due to a lithium battery.

The capacitor is a myth.

It seems to be a myth that has "legs", at least around these parts, probably because Pentax has used capacitors in some models.

Originally posted by photogem

But it is an MS414 lithium
Well documented!

It is well documented on the K-30/K-50. Have you disassembled a K-3 or have a link specific to that camera?

Steve

**photogem** · 12-20-2020, 02:33 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

It is well documented on the K-30/K-50. Have you disassembled a K-3 or have a link specific to that camera?

right one in front of me, I have two of them.
The backup battery is on the backside of the mainboard, which in this case I shall not take off because this one needs replacement of the display.

**Rondec** · 12-20-2020, 03:55 AM

My K-01 does this when I change batteries. Oddly, if I change batteries fast enough, it doesn't forget.

(I need super hero type reflexes for the job).

fayssal · 12-20-2020, 04:40 AM

Hi Photogem,

You're right with proofs below, and like Steve said may be some series contains capacitor

You Tube

You Tube

**steamloco76** · 12-20-2020, 06:08 AM

Originally posted by photogem

Again, it is NOT a capacitor, it is due to a lithium battery.

The capacitor is a myth.

Very important because writing about capacitors makes people believe it is capacitors.
But it is an MS414 lithium
Well documented!
And any person implying that it is an ELNA supercap and who would exchange the MS414 with the ELNA would experience
a very strong drainage of the main battery up to death of that battery.

So my recommendation: Better to read the whole thread first.

Ah... just 3 days ago I had to replace the MS414 on a K500.
It is a tricky soldering job, because you need a tiny needle plus a lot of heat!

One thing I know for certain, it is not worth the $300 minimum charge to have Precision Camera tear into my otherwise pristine K-3 to replace the MS414!

**photogem** · 12-20-2020, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by fayssal

Hi Photogem,

You're right with proofs below, and like Steve said may be some series contains capacitor

The first video has been prooved wrong already here on the forum!
The second is worth nothing, because all videos by those digi-service guys are just to confuse but not to help!

So base don which personal experience is your own proof?

12-13-2020, 10:15 AM	#21
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	Originally posted by photogem to bad, but if you got the K3 from a forum-member, maybe there is a chance for some compensation? I bought a package deal with the K-3, battery grip, for $500 shipped. I don't think the owner had used the camera much in the months before I purchased it. Last edited by steamloco76; 12-16-2020 at 06:26 AM.

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12-06-2020, 03:28 PM	#16
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	Originally posted by photogem That is a problem of the internal MS414 battery. This is a Lithium-type which goes bad when the camera sits without its D-Li90 battery for a long time unused: It discharges beyond a certain limit which kills the battery (Li-Ions go bad for the same reason if discharged too strong). Only chance: Disassembly + DIY or sending it in (which is expensive, the mainboard has to be removed to get to it) The soldering here is critical, tiny contacts! The forum member from which I purchased the camera neglected to mention the dead memory battery. I assume it was part of the reason they sold the camera. Oh well, I guess I will have to re-check the two lenses I know require fine focus adjustment on the K-3 and note the setting under the lens cap. Have to set it manually every time. The date and time don’t bother me, both ofmy Q series cameras never hold it either.

12-06-2020, 10:49 PM	#17
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Try one thing: In the menu set the time when it automatically switches off to OFF, so that it won't switch off. Then leave it switched on for lets say 5 hours. Then try again (and don't forget to set the menu back as you need it)

12-12-2020, 11:02 PM	#18
pkboy Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Lantau Island Posts: 890	This started happening to me after I left the k-3 in a cold room (12 deg C) without the battery because it was charging. After that, the internal battery was just gone.

12-13-2020, 02:57 AM	#19
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	Originally posted by photogem Try one thing: In the menu set the time when it automatically switches off to OFF, so that it won't switch off. Then leave it switched on for lets say 5 hours. Then try again (and don't forget to set the menu back as you need it) Unfortunately, this did not work. I’m glad I only have two lensed which really need fine focus adjustment. I will just avoid using them on the K-3.

12-13-2020, 05:56 AM	#20
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	to bad, but if you got the K3 from a forum-member, maybe there is a chance for some compensation?

12-15-2020, 09:39 AM	#22
EnglishBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Maryland Posts: 159	Probably something to look for in the low shutter count closet queens that will appear in the next decade.

12-19-2020, 05:05 AM	#23
fayssal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 127	Essalam aleykoum, I was facing same issue with my old K30, I used to do a fast batteries replacement ( I had two ) to avoid time and date deleting. It's due to capacitor death

12-19-2020, 11:24 AM	#24
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by fayssal I was facing same issue with my old K30, I used to do a fast batteries replacement ( I had two ) to avoid time and date deleting. It's due to capacitor death Again, it is NOT a capacitor, it is due to a lithium battery. The capacitor is a myth. Very important because writing about capacitors makes people believe it is capacitors. But it is an MS414 lithium Well documented! And any person implying that it is an ELNA supercap and who would exchange the MS414 with the ELNA would experience a very strong drainage of the main battery up to death of that battery. So my recommendation: Better to read the whole thread first. Ah... just 3 days ago I had to replace the MS414 on a K500. It is a tricky soldering job, because you need a tiny needle plus a lot of heat!

12-19-2020, 12:34 PM	#25
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by photogem Again, it is NOT a capacitor, it is due to a lithium battery. The capacitor is a myth. It seems to be a myth that has "legs", at least around these parts, probably because Pentax has used capacitors in some models. Originally posted by photogem But it is an MS414 lithium Well documented! It is well documented on the K-30/K-50. Have you disassembled a K-3 or have a link specific to that camera? Steve

12-20-2020, 03:55 AM	#27
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	My K-01 does this when I change batteries. Oddly, if I change batteries fast enough, it doesn't forget. (I need super hero type reflexes for the job).

12-20-2020, 06:08 AM	#29
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	Originally posted by photogem Again, it is NOT a capacitor, it is due to a lithium battery. The capacitor is a myth. Very important because writing about capacitors makes people believe it is capacitors. But it is an MS414 lithium Well documented! And any person implying that it is an ELNA supercap and who would exchange the MS414 with the ELNA would experience a very strong drainage of the main battery up to death of that battery. So my recommendation: Better to read the whole thread first. Ah... just 3 days ago I had to replace the MS414 on a K500. It is a tricky soldering job, because you need a tiny needle plus a lot of heat! One thing I know for certain, it is not worth the $300 minimum charge to have Precision Camera tear into my otherwise pristine K-3 to replace the MS414!

12-20-2020, 06:45 AM	#30
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by fayssal Hi Photogem, You're right with proofs below, and like Steve said may be some series contains capacitor The first video has been prooved wrong already here on the forum! The second is worth nothing, because all videos by those digi-service guys are just to confuse but not to help! So base don which personal experience is your own proof?