MIRANDA BATTERY CASE PROBLEM

tonyowen34 · Aug 9, 2017

THIS IS A DUPLICATE POSTING AS I DO NOT KNOW IF RANGEFINDER OR THIS FORUM IS BEST
I cannot remove the battery cap on the cds meter used with a Miranda G camera.
The cap has a silvered knurled outer ring and a 'dimpled' inner central section.
However no matter what I try the cap does not come off.
The manual states remove by turning CCW.
Any help or suggestions welcome

regards
Tony

E. von Hoegh · Aug 9, 2017

Superglue the end of a butterknife, or other flat metal object to it, use this as a lever. Acetone will remove it.

Paul Howell · Aug 9, 2017

Don't be surprised if the old battery has leaked corroding the threads..If it was an old mercury battery I would be careful cleaning it up, use gloves. Not much mercury but still just to be safe. Once you get the cap off if the connectors are not completely corroded off and the meter is still active, I use hearing aid batteries, with the Sensormate and EE, the cap fits very tight, I drilled a small hole in the cap as zinc air batteries need air to work.

David Lyga · Aug 9, 2017

If you can fit a coin (penny or nickel) into the compartment slot, then grab it with a pair of pliers and, holding tightly, turn CCW for your dear life. I have Spotmatics that absolutely cannot be rectified this way, so entrenched are the threads with dried battery waste. - David Lyga

E. von Hoegh · Aug 9, 2017

David Lyga said:
If you can fit a coin (penny or nickel) into the compartment slot, then grab it with a pair of pliers and, holding tightly, turn CCW for your dear life. I have Spotmatics that absolutely cannot be rectified this way, so entrenched are the threads with dried battery waste. - David Lyga

I had a Mamiya that someone did this to. The cell compartment was torn loose and rotated free under the baseplate, camera became spare screws.
A little ammonia on the threads might dissolve the corrosion; don't start with oil because it will soak in and prevent the ammonia from doing it's work.

AgX · Aug 9, 2017

Butterknive, coin...

Best use a tool that exactly fits (in radius and thickness). I once made such and it fits exactly the great majority of my cameras.

But still there maybe the issue of corrosion. You can try sipping a little bit of 25% acetic acid into the threading.

tonyowen34 · Aug 9, 2017

I've tried exerting pressure/torque but to no avail - its extremely difficult to grab hold of the cap as it is almost flush with the surface of the meter into which it is screwed.
There is no slot into which a screwdriver/coin could ne fitted.
I've tried an eraser pressed hard against the dimpled surface of the cap AND tried pushing with a screwdriver and knife blade against the knurling.
The super glue option is possible as that would ensure a large torque BUT I think it a last resort.
One alternative is to do away with the meter (after all it is an accessory) - but I do not have the original speed dial to put back on in place
regards
Tony

AgX · Aug 9, 2017

If there is no or no usable slot, aside of the glue approach, one can drill two holes to fit a selfmade tool or spanner. If really exactly done it would not harm the battery, nor ruin the cap.

Another approach would be disassembling the body to get access to the cap from the other side (depending on built of the body).
The last resort would be milling-out the cap.

E. von Hoegh · Aug 9, 2017

tonyowen34 said:
I've tried exerting pressure/torque but to no avail - its extremely difficult to grab hold of the cap as it is almost flush with the surface of the meter into which it is screwed.
There is no slot into which a screwdriver/coin could ne fitted.
I've tried an eraser pressed hard against the dimpled surface of the cap AND tried pushing with a screwdriver and knife blade against the knurling.
The super glue option is possible as that would ensure a large torque BUT I think it a last resort.
One alternative is to do away with the meter (after all it is an accessory) - but I do not have the original speed dial to put back on in place
regards
Tony

I've been using that method to loosen things like watch backs for which I cannot get the proper wrench, it works perfectly and has never so much as put a mark on anything. The cover is probably locked on by corrosion, patience and ammonia/weak acid might loosen it.

tonyowen34 · Aug 10, 2017

EUREKA - problem solved
removing the dimpled disk reveals two pin holes in the 'metal case' which enables the cap to be removed
regards
Tony

dynachrome · Aug 10, 2017

For other stuck battery covers I know of three solutions: penetrating oil, freezing the battery cover with propellant from canned air (can turned upside down, use eye protection), drilling two holes in the cover and using a spanner wrench.

AgX · Aug 11, 2017

tonyowen34 said:
Removing the dimpled disk reveals two pin holes in the 'metal case' which enables the cap to be removed.

I do not rember ever having seen such design. Thank you for sharing.

Well, there are designs with plastic coin-slot cover and metal construction undernereath (eg. Minox 35), but then cover and metal threading are moulded together.

tonyowen34 · Aug 11, 2017

AgX said:
I do not rember ever having seen such design.

Some further information:- The 'dimpled pad' had/has some 'sticky' adhesive that enabled it to adhere [albeit not permanently] to the 'metal ring' I've found that if I push the pad back into the ring it 'seems to' click into place and stay there; until I lever it out again!!
regards

Tony

MIRANDA BATTERY CASE PROBLEM

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