Minolta Flash Meter IV arrived with "stuck" sliders for ON/OFF switch.

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

HI. I have a mechanical question - as opposed to a deep photographic question. I am an avid Med Format shooter, mostly outdoors / landscapes. Decided to try a few indoor shots - and I recently purchased a Minolta IV flash meter. It arrived today - and once I placed batteries into the unit, it powered up - except the slider switches on the left side of the unit are incredibly stiff/stuck. It took a lot of pressure to move them. I am not sure how to go about fixing this? Any suggestions would be helpful. Are they fixable? Am I out of my area of expertise .... help?

I am not 100% I posted this in the right forum, so if not, please let me know and I will move the post.

Andrew.

AgX · Mar 21, 2022

Welcome!

I got a similar issue with a Gossen meter, and solved such issues at other photographic and non-photographic appliances. Without knowing the meter in question, I would open the meter and inspect the switch. Sometimes a switch only needs to be re-assembled correctly, or having a touch of oily contact cleaner applied or a bit of lubricating done at sliders. It depends on your expertise on electrical appliances, whether you would go this way. In the worst case you would have to exchange the switch, if available..

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

Thanks. I opened (carefully) the meter. The switches are, in fact, underneath a circuit board that was well secured under the cover. So, I stopped.
I suspect a lubricant and some sliding might be in order. What would you recommend as a suitable lubricant??

AgX · Mar 21, 2022

Most successful on sliding switches even of the most cheap kind was Contact Cleaner "60" from Kontakt Chemie aka CRC. It is a volatile-solvent based potion that leaves an oily residue. It is only available as spray with a tube, but still likely leaves a mess. I rather would apply it as tiny drop.

BrianShaw · Mar 21, 2022

I don't intend to be offensive and contradict, but most contact cleaners leave no residue. So they will be great for making everything squeaky clean but no lubrication. Perhaps lubrication isn't really necessary if everything is squeaky clean.

https://www.crcindustries.com/products/catalogsearch/result/?q=contact+cleaner

So if lubrication is desired, it is important to select the right contact cleaner; the one AgX mentions seems different from many other contact cleaners:

https://www.gmelectronic.com/spray-cleanser-kontakt-60-200ml#product-detail

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

Thanks! I looked at the switch carefully. Nothing to indicate "dirt" that is making it stick. So, I took a small chance and used a drop of wd40. fter 5 mins of working it in, it is much improved. I am not 100% with it, so I think I'll need a longterm lubricant choice. Is the Kontakt 20 the same/similar to wd40, or ar these cleaners/lubricants on totally different trajectories?

BrianShaw · Mar 21, 2022

What material is being lubricated in the switch? That will help determine what lubricant would be best. In general, though, I'd suggest a teflon dry lube on non-electrical sliding parts of hte switch. After a no-residue contact cleaner for the electrical contacts.

WD-40 tends to go gummy over time. Probably not a great choice.

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

On the outside of the meter. I am sending an image - if that helps.
Not sure what to do now - kind of committed to the WD40 track. But, I am sure I can leave it for a while and clean/lub again in the future??
Cleaner then a teflon dry lube?

Kino · Mar 21, 2022

I would suggest Deoxit liquid. Use the absolute minimum, one or two drops, on each switch. WD40 is not a lubricant, even though people use it as such.

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/...MI0bvh18TX9gIVesmUCR1R2wvrEAQYAyABEgLbjvD_BwE

BrianShaw · Mar 21, 2022

Andrew Levine said:
On the outside of the meter. I am sending an image - if that helps.
Not sure what to do now - kind of committed to the WD40 track. But, I am sure I can leave it for a while and clean/lub again in the future??
Cleaner then a teflon dry lube?

It looks like you spritzed plastic on plastic slider parts, not the electrical contacts (unless some of the WD-40 spray penetrated, which it probably did). I would clean it as quickly as possible with a plastic-safe non-lubricating cleaner and see if it works better that way.

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

OK. Hmm.
Now I am slightly more confuse (and a tiny bit worried).
If I understand the thread above, first I need a cleaner then a lubricant? And only a cleaner if that cleans it and it works fine.?
Isn't there a lub like WD40 that cleans and lubs at the same time? Or did I miss that above?

Ha, who would have thought there was such a wide spectrum of expertise out there??

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

Quick Follow up:

How about this ? : https://www.amazon.co.uk/WD40-Anti-...=teflon+non-lubricating+cleaner,aps,72&sr=8-7

Or this??? : https://www.amazon.co.uk/CRC-Plastic-Contact-Cleaner-Aerosol/dp/B000BXKZVA

AgX · Mar 21, 2022

BrianShaw said:
I don't intend to be offensive and contradict, but most contact cleaners leave no residue.

This was to saying of the manufacturer the very first contact cleaner. It is the standard type cleaner in West-Germany since many decades at any electronics workshop. The manufacturer got a variety of contact cleaners and preservers, dependant on application. The type "60" acts at oxide-layers, cleans, and leaves a thin oily residue, which covers metal surfaces and lubricates. If wanted one may clean the switch etc. after use again with dedicated solvent sprays. But to my experience the lubrication is most benefitial at least at cheap sliding switches. I use it myself since my teenage days.

AgX · Mar 21, 2022

Andrew Levine said:
Quick Follow up:

How about this ? : https://www.amazon.co.uk/WD40-Anti-Friction-Lubricant-250ml/dp/B00KPUBO5A/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1A1LE9XENUMNJ&keywords=teflon+non-lubricating+cleaner&qid=1647879416&sprefix=teflon+non-lubricating+cleaner,aps,72&sr=8-7

Or this??? : https://www.amazon.co.uk/CRC-Plastic-Contact-Cleaner-Aerosol/dp/B000BXKZVA

Teflon potions of any kind contain teflon powder. This is the last stuff I want at any electrical contact.

Anyway, I gave my advice based on my experience. If this cleaner does not make, and keep, the switch working again, there is a severe mechanical problem and a disassembly is unavoidable.

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

Thanks AgX. So, if it is only plastic switches, then there is a related product that can help me. I am looking at a few web sites and have not found a perfect product for "plastic" that cleans and lubricates. I think I will keep looking, unless you can send me a link to review??

It is good to know that the product has been around for many years and is reliable! Thanks for your historical view on this. Very helpful.

Chan Tran · Mar 21, 2022

Andrew Levine said:
On the outside of the meter. I am sending an image - if that helps.
Not sure what to do now - kind of committed to the WD40 track. But, I am sure I can leave it for a while and clean/lub again in the future??
Cleaner then a teflon dry lube?

Oh you have the Flashmeter III and not IV. I have one with the broken mode switch. One day it just broke in pieces. I bought another one those. I like it very much.

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

Yes, I like the unit. Nice sized, reliable, accurate. It is a shame that I am having so many issues! Really want to find a way to fix the sticky switches.

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

AgX said:
Teflon potions of any kind contain teflon powder. This is the last stuff I want at any electrical contact.

Anyway, I gave my advice based on my experience. If this cleaner does not make, and keep, the switch working again, there is a severe mechanical problem and a disassembly is unavoidable.

Is this the one you suggest?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TETE-Konta...d=1647880715&sprefix=kontakt+60,aps,62&sr=8-1

Chan Tran · Mar 21, 2022

Andrew Levine said:
Yes, I like the unit. Nice sized, reliable, accurate. It is a shame that I am having so many issues! Really want to find a way to fix the sticky switches.

I actually have 3 in total. My first one I bought new in 82 or so and sold it in 85. I bought a used one sometimes in 21st century and the mode switch broke 3 years ago. I bought another one. I still like it although I have the flashmeter VI which I bought new also.

AgX · Mar 21, 2022

Another thing to consider as you say "sticky":
I had several camera in hands were levers, sliders and such got stuck due to a sticky substance. Most likely some beverage that got splashed onto, wiped off, but nonetheless got sucked into slits. Here a water based solvent may help, but disassembly and cleaning would be best

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

Chan Tran said:
I actually have 3 in total. My first one I bought new in 82 or so and sold it in 85. I bought a used one sometimes in 21st century and the mode switch broke 3 years ago. I bought another one. I still like it although I have the flashmeter VI which I bought new also.

3 of them! OK, that is more than me. I tried Gossen for a few years and then I bought a Sekonic spot meter (I love it), but as time goes on, I am going back to the simple and effective. Minolta has that down pat for me. Good Luck !!

AgX · Mar 21, 2022

Andrew Levine said:
Is this the one you suggest?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TETE-Kontakt-60-Contact-Cleaner-Spray/dp/B000YJ2AZU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZPGC0LKEGB4D&keywords=KONTAKT+60&qid=1647880715&sprefix=kontakt+60,aps,62&sr=8-1

I cannot open Amazon links, but I referred to this:
http://www.kontaktchemie.com/KOC/%C...JsWauL9WOyu6l4QmJFJD7DGtJgKHgE83_DkRjGdVHfA--

Andrew Levine · Mar 21, 2022

Thanks. The link did not work for me either, but I found the KONTAKT 60 product. Thanks for the help, I will order some and see how that works!

AgX · Mar 21, 2022

One only needs small amounts, thus buy not too large of a can.

shutterfinger · Mar 21, 2022

On this side of the pond I use CRC QD Electronic Cleaner https://www.amazon.com/CRC-Industries-03130-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B000RY5D0G?th=1 red can in the US.
WD40 has morphed into a product line. The original WD40 https://www.wd40.com/history/ dries out in a few months and leaves a sticky residue behind, same is true for 3in1 oil. Both are not recommended for camera or photo equipment.

Minolta Flash Meter IV arrived with "stuck" sliders for ON/OFF switch.

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