Electrical problem with Z-1p (PZ-1p)

Andrea K · 04-23-2018, 01:13 AM

Hi,

saturday I loaded in a Z-1p (PZ-1p), not used for a few months , a roll and a new battery. The film is loaded without problems. Sunday I go out to take some shots.... I turned it on but the camera shown the battery icon, after some try the camera become hot in the handgrip top zone and starts to smell of burnt plastic. I removed the battery. Now when I put the battery inside the camera and I turn it on... the process restart! I changed the battery... same behavior.

Anyone encountered same problems? Is there a solution?

Thank you.

Not a Number · 04-23-2018, 01:34 AM

The has got to be a short circuit somewhere. A component broke or burned out or a switch or relay jammed. There is no way to tell except opening up the camera and finding the cause.

Since it uses a specific type of battery it's not likely that the voltage is wrong.

**UncleVanya** · 04-23-2018, 06:21 AM

Was the battery the correct, non rechargeable one?

Andrea K · 04-23-2018, 06:26 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Was the battery the correct, non rechargeable one?

Yep. I have another Z-1p that works with these batteries.

**Bob 256** · 04-23-2018, 08:31 AM

Sorry on that one. It sound's like it's time to retire the camera - repair would cost more than you'd pay for getting a used one on ebay (they are a great camera). Sound's like maybe the main drive motor gave up and even finding a replacement would be pretty hard so you'd be turning to a used one for parts. Getting a used one in good condition for a replacement might be the way to go if you want to stay with the PZ-1p.

It's a sad story when an older model develops a problem since repair and parts become a real issue, but it's bound to happen at some point and you're stuck with the decision on where to go from there. Check ebay and you might be surprised - sometimes nearly mint items float to the surface and show up.

You didn't mention trying to remove the film - possible jam may have caused the problem but it doesn't sound good with the heating issue - probable permanent damage. In any case, I would have the film out of the camera before testing it again.

Andrea K · 04-24-2018, 03:01 AM

Thank you for the "remove the film" hint. I already removed the film but not tried also to use the camera. I will do.

redbirdpete · 04-24-2018, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by Andrea K

Thank you for the "remove the film" hint. I already removed the film but not tried also to use the camera. I will do.

Have a good look in the battery compartment, maybe compare it with the second camera. If you are lucky something has got in there or gotten bent and is shorting the battery rather than the camera itself.

04-23-2018, 01:13 AM	#1
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	Electrical problem with Z-1p (PZ-1p) Hi, saturday I loaded in a Z-1p (PZ-1p), not used for a few months , a roll and a new battery. The film is loaded without problems. Sunday I go out to take some shots.... I turned it on but the camera shown the battery icon, after some try the camera become hot in the handgrip top zone and starts to smell of burnt plastic. I removed the battery. Now when I put the battery inside the camera and I turn it on... the process restart! I changed the battery... same behavior. Anyone encountered same problems? Is there a solution? Thank you.

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04-23-2018, 01:34 AM	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The has got to be a short circuit somewhere. A component broke or burned out or a switch or relay jammed. There is no way to tell except opening up the camera and finding the cause. Since it uses a specific type of battery it's not likely that the voltage is wrong.

04-23-2018, 06:21 AM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	Was the battery the correct, non rechargeable one?

04-23-2018, 06:26 AM	#4
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Was the battery the correct, non rechargeable one? Yep. I have another Z-1p that works with these batteries.

04-23-2018, 08:31 AM	#5
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,378	Sorry on that one. It sound's like it's time to retire the camera - repair would cost more than you'd pay for getting a used one on ebay (they are a great camera). Sound's like maybe the main drive motor gave up and even finding a replacement would be pretty hard so you'd be turning to a used one for parts. Getting a used one in good condition for a replacement might be the way to go if you want to stay with the PZ-1p. It's a sad story when an older model develops a problem since repair and parts become a real issue, but it's bound to happen at some point and you're stuck with the decision on where to go from there. Check ebay and you might be surprised - sometimes nearly mint items float to the surface and show up. You didn't mention trying to remove the film - possible jam may have caused the problem but it doesn't sound good with the heating issue - probable permanent damage. In any case, I would have the film out of the camera before testing it again.

04-24-2018, 03:01 AM	#6
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822 Original Poster	Thank you for the "remove the film" hint. I already removed the film but not tried also to use the camera. I will do.

04-24-2018, 05:09 AM	#7
redbirdpete Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gwynedd, Wales Posts: 89	Originally posted by Andrea K Thank you for the "remove the film" hint. I already removed the film but not tried also to use the camera. I will do. Have a good look in the battery compartment, maybe compare it with the second camera. If you are lucky something has got in there or gotten bent and is shorting the battery rather than the camera itself.