Uh oh... my Soligor light meter is acting oddly!

[Removed Account]

Tonight I broke out the 4x5, and spent some time lovingly arranging 3 pears on a table. After about 15 minutes or so spent focusing and adjusting lighting I was ready to take a meter reading. Out comes my trusty Soligor Spot Sensor-II, I point the circle at the shadows, pull the trigger and... nothing. Where the heck is the needle to give me my shadow reading? I pull the battery out and put it back in, pull the trigger again and note that the battery light comes on. Still no movement on the dial.

Any ideas as to why this is happening? The meter worked just fine a few days ago, so I'm thinking that despite the red light indicating that the battery is OK it may be on its last legs; I won't know until I can pick up a new battery to check it. As an aside, does anyone here have a link to where I can find the manual online? A google search came up empty and I didn't get one when I bought the meter so I don't know if the manual mentions anything about this. If any of you good folks would be so kind as to check your manual for this problem I'd be greatly appreciative!

 

[dpurdy]

I would take the easy step first. Replace the battery and see if all is well.

 

[bobwysiwyg]

Claim to have one here.

http://www.photobooksonline.com/books/userbk92.html

 

[naeroscatu]

Justin, by all means please post your findings. I also use a Soligor spot meter II
with a 9V battery and would like to know what problems to expect. thanks

 

[Galah]

Me too!

Justin, by all means please post your findings. I also use a Soligor spot meter II
with a 9V battery and would like to know what problems to expect. thanks

Me too!

 

[Removed Account]

I just tried putting a fresh battery in, but no luck. This is very strange as the meter has worked beautifully for many months up until a few days ago. I'll try opening it up and seeing if something got stuck.

Any other ideas?

 

[Curt]

Make sure the battery terminals inside are clean, my garage openers started doing this and I cleaned the terminals and they worked consistently again.

 

[Removed Account]

Hi Curt, how do I clean the battery terminals? If that's the problem it's a much cheaper solution than $95!

 

[Removed Account]

After looking up shipping information and the cost of a replacement meter at KEH I've concluded that it's less expensive for me to buy another Soligor than it is to have this one repaired. I cracked it open today and even though I don't know much about how they work I think the problem is the circular thingy (that I think is the photo diode). Any reason why this might suddenly stop working, or tips on how to fix or replace it? If I can get it working again that'll save me about $140 at least...

 

[Chan Tran]

My bro got the Soligor at Goodwill for $10 and he thought he paid too much.

 

[John Koehrer]

Technical terms like "circular thingy" are just a little vague, Justin.
Anyhow, you say the needle didn't move. As long as you have it open, can you carefully move it carefully?manually? A toothpick or bamboo skewer should be safe. It has a hairspring to move the needle. Take a close look a the spring to see if it has a crossed coil caused by a bump.
To clean the battery connector I use a fiberglass brush or pencil eraser.

You don't mention whether you have an Ohmmeter. If you do you can check that the photocell changes resistance as you point it to and away from a light source. If it does then.....
Clean the switch contacts with the edge of a dollar bill or very fine sandpaper or contact cleaner.
If nothing has worked so far you can resolder all the contacts in the unit.