Capital D-1 Exposure Meter

[macgreg]

Yesterday I got hold of this light meter. It is essentially brand "new" as the previous owner had never used it.

My question is, what kind of battery should I use ? The instruction manual doesn't say anything at all about battery.

 

[AgX]

Meters of that period typically took those large Mercury cells or the eqivalent size Alkaline cells.

I would check it with that Alkaline cell against a modern meter for correct metering.
I guess some fellows already did that check and can tell more.

Otherwise, you have to
-) buy/make an adapter
-) modify the meter

 

[snapguy]

olde

I have been led to understand that it takes a PX625 battery which may be an old mercury battery which may need a replacement. They are available on the Internet cheap. I hear it is a fine exposure meter.

 

[AgX]

PX625 is a Mercury cell, but there are also type 625 Alkaline cells.

 

[macgreg]

I guess sth like this would do ?

http://www.amazon.com/Duracell-E625GBP-PX625A-Alkaline-Battery/dp/B005AWYBR6

And if so, would it be necessary to modify the meter ?

 

[AgX]

That should be the right size. (At least the one common with meters.) What you see offered is the Alkaline version.

Try it or wait for others to report their findings on it.

 

[macfred]

The Duracell has 1.5V - the old PX625 got 1.35V.
I think it is necessary to modify the meter.

You can try the WeinCell MRB625 http://www.amazon.com/WeinCell-MRB625-Replacement-Battery-PX625/dp/B00009VQJ7 -
those will fit. The WeinCell are pricey and some people reported, that the MRB625 don't last long ...

 

[David Allen]

Bothy hand-held and in-camera CDS meters of the period used the PX625 Mercury battery - which is now banned. The only replacement that I know of that delivers a stable voltage of correct level is the WeinCELL MRB625. The other alkaline replacements are not suitable as, through varying voltage, they will give inconsistent readings. The silver oxide replacements deliver too high a voltage so you would need to recalibrate the meter.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

 

[AgX]

Those Alkaline cells have been used decennia ago, so they might work depending on the circuit of the meter.
The problem is that when those Mercury cells came out they were unique and thus there was no need to specify. So from that one could deduce in general that lacking of specification is a hint a Mercury cell being necessary.

 

[AgX]

One member had in general good results with using Zinc-Air cells, and after use taking them out again and resealing them again.

Due to their low price they could be a alternative even in case of premature death.
But I do not know whether the size 625 is widely available.

 

[wiltw]

Bothy hand-held and in-camera CDS meters of the period used the PX625 Mercury battery - which is now banned. The only replacement that I know of that delivers a stable voltage of correct level is the WeinCELL MRB625. The other alkaline replacements are not suitable as, through varying voltage, they will give inconsistent readings. The silver oxide replacements deliver too high a voltage so you would need to recalibrate the meter.

^^^

There is a a PX625-sized adapter device, which takes a 1.5v 386 silver oxide battery and regulates it down to constant 1.35v needed for metering accuracy by most meters which used the PX-625. Dead Link Removed

 

[macfred]

^^^
Good advice !
I tried a similar adapter on a Minolta Hi Matic - it doesn't fit the battery slot …
Perhaps the adapter will work better with the Capital D-1 Exposure Meter.

 

[macgreg]

That adaptor seems to work quite well and I read good reviews. I might give it a try.