Coolpix 4300 backup memory?
 

Since I left my D50 in the UK, I was pleased to be given one of the above last night. It seems to work, but every time I change the battery, the settings revert to default. Not a problem, except for the date/time etc., and changing batts in the field would be a full minute's job.

Is this normal, or is there a little battery somewhere?

to quote from page 18 of the manual

"The camera’s internal clock-calendar is powered by a separate, rechargeable
power source, which is charged as necessary when the main battery is installed
or the camera powered by an AC adapter (available separately). After charging
for about ten hours, this power source can provide roughly ten hours of backup
power. If the main battery has been removed for an extended period, or
removed before charging is complete, a flashing icon may appear in the
monitor, indicating that the clock needs to be reset."

http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/.../CP4300man.pdf

So charge it up first!
Presumably its hidden inside so cant be exchanged



edit

You can download the service manual as a 3-part RAR file from
Nikon Coolpix 4300 Service Manual free download,schematics,datasheets,eeprom bins,pcb,repair info for test equipment and electronics
That says theres a capacitor in there holding the charge. I assume its soldered to the circuit board - I've not checked the details

Thanks again Milo.

I have got the manual pdf link - one of those you have to download every time - but didn't spot the relevant bit in time available.

Roof leaking, irrigation system not squirting, mini-van still missing, son's back yard flooded and tortoise needing mouth to mouth - How the heck is this retirement?

So, hopefully, the capacitor will revive after a charged battery is left in for a prolonged period as I don't have the external power supply unit.

Back to misfire problem. Valve lifters the next suspect item I'm told.

cheap to purchase

And you CAN download the manual.
Right-click it and select "download"

My first digital camera.

Used for work, it has been dropped, kicked, bashed, etc and still works!

Not a high resolution but gives good pictures - keep hold of it.

Grunt, my first digital camera as well. Very pleased with it, at max. size and resolution A3 prints are possible. Also bought the extra wide lens attachment for it - excellent. Snag with it one can't use the viewfinder but only the rather small monitor. Done several panoramics, print size about 30"x8".

Dropped it once, no harm done....

You may find that the capacitor 'never revives'.
Daughter had this same problem several years ago with her first digital camera (Olympus, IIRC). Checked on the web and found that backup capacitor failure was a common problem - and a) new caps not available and b) replacement would require camera to be dismantled, anyway.
Our current digital compact (Canon A710) uses a lithium battery for backup, which can be replaced - just like backup on PC motherboards.

After longer pause in usage, I started again using my lovely Nikon Coolpix 4300 camera. However I noticed that each time when I replace my battery for a new one, I lost all the settings and date. That is very annoying at least.

I get the service manual and there is no word about the backup battery, however on one image the battery is visible clearly:

http://s11.postimg.org/vdqtzf7bn/Nic...embled_top.jpg
(page 17)

So my question is - what battery type this is, so I can obtain it before I try to replace it :) Thanks for the information.

PS. the 135uF 330V custom capacitor is there for the flash only, I hope?
http://s11.postimg.org/bum8q28k3/Nic...led_bottom.jpg


That was my inquiry to Nikon and I hope I could post soon how they replied and what was my result from attempted fix of this camera...

I asked Nikon support and the reply is hillarious:

Hi xxx,

Thank you for contacting Nikon, Regarding your earlier model Coolpix 4300 the correct battery to use would be the EN-EL1 model. I understand every time you remove the battery your loose your settings and date. Please try the following;
1. With camera powered off remove battery and memory card for about 30 seconds
2.ensure you are using an approved card Answer Title: Approved CF Cards - Coolpix 4300 Answer Link: https://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans...tail/a_id/5094
3. Reinsert just the battery and power the camera on
4. Hit the menu button and in the set up menu (icon of the wrench) select "Reset all"
5. Ensure camera in the full auto and test the camera with and with and out a card if possible

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to call back at 1-800-NIKON-US.


Have a great day,
Miriam

Nikon Customer Support

https://support.nikonusa.com/app/acc.../i_id/16482778

...

Not a word about the little battery type/voltage. Nothing. Useless "support"...

Nikon support will never answer questions about non-user replaceable parts. They will only give repair info to authorized repair facilities.

Besides, you asked them the wrong question. The 4300 does not have a backup battery. What you see in the top picture is a memory backup capacitor. Similar to the one below:

https://www.westfloridacomponents.co...EECS0HD104.jpg

You'll have to check the repair manual to see if the capacitor specs are listed (voltage/capacity), or open the camera and see if there are any markings.

Yashica 35mm of the Rivitess' failed after being dropped, in the case, 18" onto soft grass. She was upset, it was a plastic but very good camera - value c 160 quid.

I pleaded, tekkie to tekkie, for the guy to give me a steer. English bloke, same background as me, but wouldn't budge on helping. He sighted the danger of the high voltages and I exclaimed we'd both worked on colour tellies, how's this going to hurt me?

Nothing.

I found one of the tracks on the ribbon cable had fractured and again begged for a part. He sounded kind of surprised about the find but still no. I bid him good day and bypassed the track. It worked. Then I got one hell of a nip from the flash circuit.

Failed after being dropped 45cm onto soft grass ? Sounds like a pretty poorly built camera to me.

Good to hear you managed to sort it in the end.