Paul Friend , Apr 12, 2005; 09:49 p.m.
I thought I had seen a string or link about replacing the internal
battery in the 7000 (a do it yourself bit) but can't seem to google
it again on photo.net. Want to try changing the battery on a "spare"
body--any links, instructions, advice, etc.
Thanks,
Paul
Michael Hohner , Apr 13, 2005; 01:52 a.m.
Full instructions: remove battery holder, unscrew the (AFAIR) three screws that hold the chrome plate in the battery chamber, replace battery, re-assemble everything, done.
Bill Thorlin , Apr 13, 2005; 03:47 a.m.
Just looked and there are 6 little screws to remove.I used a very small horologists screwdriver (phillips screws at least that is what I call them).Take care as there are little wires attached so do not pull the plate,lift then slide out the battery and then into reverse.
If I can do it you can !
Bill Thorlin , Apr 13, 2005; 05:51 a.m.
Paul - forgot to say please let us know how it worked out.In my case the camera gradually got back to full working mode but a few days later it went dead again.I assumed there was an internal power drain and did not bother again considering the value of the camera (monetary not sentimental).Your experience may throw some light on this for me.
Paul Friend , Apr 14, 2005; 05:47 p.m.
The basic change went fine. One minor point--the six screws are of two different lengths--the longer ones go toward the back and the shorter ones toward the front. A small flat blade screwdriver can come in handy for gently prying the plate up after the screws are removed (mine was a little "stuck").
Replaced the battery, but no life so far. This was not my body and has been stored a while, so it may be more dead than batteries can resurrect--I'll give it a bit longer to see if the electrons just need to warm up a bit before giving up totally.
Paul
Bill Thorlin , Apr 15, 2005; 04:09 a.m.
Mine took nearly 3 days to get going and about the same to die again - patience needed.
John Driskill , Mar 13, 2010; 09:42 p.m.
I read these responses and found a seller on Ebay who sold the battery as well as instructions. The internal battery plate has six screws. The back row by the back of the camera are long. They are fairly easy to remove with a #00 phillips screwdriver. The front row by the space for the battery holder are short and take time to remove. (I cursed a lot with these screws) I had to hold the camera in my lap to work on the screws. I used a high power magnet to hold the screws after I removed them as well to pick up one that got away. I used a small straight blade screwdriver to carefully lift the battery plate up. It has a few wires attached. The 3 volt battery, a CR 2016 is located inside with the plus side down. It will pop out with a little nudge of the small straight blade screwdriver. Place the new battery in and reverse the process. With the 7000 camera body I purchased on Ebay for $10, it was good to replace the dead leaking battery when I did. Of course I spent more to get a screwdriver set at Radio Shack at $15.00 and the batteries off the internet from a vendor. I did the same with another 7000 body I got off of Ebay also and it was the same as far as the front row of short screws. I hope that this will help anyone wanting to restore their classic camera to full working condition. According to the seller on Ebay, the battery life is 5 plus years. Of the Minolta AF cameras, I like this one over my other HTsi camera since you can really use the controls for the manual settings. Enjoy, John C.
