MD-12 malfunction

[rjacksonphoto]

Just bought an "excellent condition" MD-12 on Ebay. Arrived today and it

doesn't work. No sign of power despite three different sets of batteries and

cleaning all of the contacts with a pencil eraser. Tried the battery holder

from another unit in it without effect. Didn't work on either of my FM2n's.

I've emailed the seller but was curious if anyone had an idea I should try

while awaiting a response.

[john_tarrant]

Sometimes MD-12s can appear 'dead' when they are not at the start/finish of a cycle. Notoriously this can happen part way through a strip of film too!

Try shorting out the contacts to see (by this place a metal object (I normally just use base plate of FM2n) over the 4 brass contact pins on the top surface at the opposite end of the upright grip). A bit of fiddling will trigger the motor if this is the problem. Maybe somebody will offer you guidance as to which particular pins you should short-out; I just simply short the lot and it works. Hope it works!

[michaelging]

I believe it was the two outside pins that you short to reset the motor.

[rjacksonphoto]

Well, thanks but no cigar. No effect. I'll see what the seller has to say.

[todd peach seattle, washi]

A couple random thoughts from an ex-MD-12 user:

 

Try holding the battery compartment firmly in place with the palm of your hand while you fuss with it. The retaining screw doesn't really apply the ideal pressure for the unit. If that works, at least you'll know the problem is in the battery tray to contact interface.

 

I forget the brand, but some batteries have unfortunate 'dimples' in just the wrong place for an MD-12; they make lousy contact.

[rjacksonphoto]

Thanks, Todd, but looks like this drive is dead.