Sharp VL-Z series (1,3,5,7) DEW Message which shuts down camera
Aside from Soldering:
Aside from soldering, here are a number of fixes which have been reported - some temporary and others have turned out to be permanent.
1. A couple of people reported that they were not secure about taking a soldering iron to their camera, so just poked the contacts with an ice pick or screw driver, and it began working again. Try this when you are away from home and suddenly the DEW Message comes on. Remove the batteries, poke the contacts, & reinsert the batteries.
2. Sometimes just removing the small CR1216 battery which keeps the time display, will get it working again, though most report it only works for a little while. When you remove the main battery, this little battery is located under a small plastic slide at the upper right of the compartment.
3. One person reported that out of desperation he put the camera in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours and that it began working again. My experience is that there is a better connection when the camera is cold than on hot days, however this too, is probably not a permanent fix.
4. Another said: I wrapped aluminum foil around the contacts in order to lower the resistance and it worked. Accomplishing the same thing, another person said, "Just run a bead of solder between the contacts and essentially cut the dew sensor out. Worked on my camera." I haven't tried either of these myself, so would appreciate feedback from those who have found it successful.
5. Another person reported cleaning the contacts with a cotton swab soaked with alcohol (mineral spirits) , got his camera working again.
6. Just recently on our new forum, someone had success placing a small magnet near the dew sensor for a minute or so, and another reported it worked for him as well.
You may want to try some of these other reported fixes and let us know how it worked for you
1. A couple of people reported that they were not secure about taking a soldering iron to their camera, so just poked the contacts with an ice pick or screw driver, and it began working again. Try this when you are away from home and suddenly the DEW Message comes on. Remove the batteries, poke the contacts, & reinsert the batteries.
2. Sometimes just removing the small CR1216 battery which keeps the time display, will get it working again, though most report it only works for a little while. When you remove the main battery, this little battery is located under a small plastic slide at the upper right of the compartment.
3. One person reported that out of desperation he put the camera in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours and that it began working again. My experience is that there is a better connection when the camera is cold than on hot days, however this too, is probably not a permanent fix.
4. Another said: I wrapped aluminum foil around the contacts in order to lower the resistance and it worked. Accomplishing the same thing, another person said, "Just run a bead of solder between the contacts and essentially cut the dew sensor out. Worked on my camera." I haven't tried either of these myself, so would appreciate feedback from those who have found it successful.
5. Another person reported cleaning the contacts with a cotton swab soaked with alcohol (mineral spirits) , got his camera working again.
6. Just recently on our new forum, someone had success placing a small magnet near the dew sensor for a minute or so, and another reported it worked for him as well.
You may want to try some of these other reported fixes and let us know how it worked for you
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Alan Taplow on
-
LOL
I received this message today from Gregory F. Miller:
"You know,
I did a drop test on the carpet with my Sharp VL-Z3 from about 2 feet
and it started working again.
Go figure."
I wonder how many camcorders started working again as soon as they were heaved into the garbage can. :-)
Peace,
Alan
-
Permalink Reply by Gerritsen on -
Alan, My latest problem after "resolving" the DEW hick up is now...that I am unable to get the hinged door to close with or without a tape in it. When I switch on for recording I get a blinking RED tape in the right top of the didplay and when switching to play I get a similar WHITE blinking tape alarm. All kinds of actions attempted...too many to mention here. Nothing in the manual adresses a possible solution to this problem ...no reset button found to bring the camera back in a normal performance....I hope you have a possible solution for this akward situation. ...Hope to hear from you soon. My regards, Jan Gerritsen, Netherlands.
-
-
Hi Jan,
I haven't personally experienced the problem you are having - perhaps some others on this forum will have a good answer. I know that when the dew message is on, the tape holder won't close with a tape in it --- it just keeps popping open. But once the contacts are resoldered and the tape compartment closes, it usually has worked for me.
The only reset I'm aware of is to to take the batteries out and then reinsert them.
Hopefully someone else has a better answer.
Peace,
Alan
-
Permalink Reply by Gerritsen on
-
Hi Alan,
thanks for yr prompt reply...I have resoldered the contacts again and surprise surprise...I could get the cassettedoor to close and also the DEW signal is out again. Need the SHARP the coming week urgently...so I hope it will keep on working. At the moment it is warm and humid inHolland and I have to make many videos indoors and outdoors ...so it will be a real test whether it will not let me down!! Thanks for comments...it encouraged me to resolder AGAIN !
Keep you posted after a few weeks uninterrupted operation Bye Bye Jan.
About
Badge
© 2009 Created by Alan Taplow on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
