PXW-X70 Froze Up on Clock Set Menu

[Ray Paula]

Hi, My PXW-X70 is stuck on the Clock Set Menu after being stored for a while without installing batteries. I have been charging my batteries but, haven't used the X70 since last summer. Upon installing a fresh battery and opening the LCD, I found it to be stuck on the Clock Set menu. Thinking that there may be an internal battery issue (if it has one), I went ahead and removed my external battery and plugged in the X70 to my Sony dual battery charger. It's been charging now for over 8 hours and is in the same state. Has anyone here ever experienced this problem? If so, is there an internal battery? Can it be replaced? I would sincerely appreciate your help in letting know what's going on? Thank You. Ray

[Christopher Young]

Have you fired it up WITHOUT a battery? Just off mains power? Try that to check the camera is ok.

Most likely your battery has gone down too far, it can go into a protective mode to prevent the battery going into a state of reverse polarity. There are various ways of waking them up. Watch these videos for some ideas. The jump start technique shown in the drill battery video works for most Lithium based batteries. Like everything. Any advice given if acted upon is at your own risk. :) Good luck!

Chris Young

SECRET to Fix Drill Batteries that Wont Charge - YouTube

Camera battery Dead?... TRY THIS FIX - YouTube

[Ray Paula]

Thank you Chris. My external batteries are all good. I've had it plugged into my Sony battery charger for several days now without any luck. Only thing I can think of would be an internal battery but., I don't know if there even is one? Everything seems to be powering up when turning it on, it's just froze up on the Time Set menu on the LCD. Appreciate the help. Ray

[Keith Rollinson]

A quick web search revealed the following:

"The camera has an internal rechargeable battery for maintaining the date, time, and other settings. This information remains saved in the camera regardless of whether the main battery pack is installed or not, or whether the power if off or on. The internal battery is continually recharged when the camera is turned on and in use.

NOTE: The internal battery discharges gradually if the camera is only used for short periods of time. If the camera is not used at all for approximately 3 months, the internal battery becomes completely discharged."

I still have an AX-100, the consumer version of the X70 - it too has an internal battery which no longer retains settings for any period of time. Does not appear to be an end user replaceable.

[Ray Paula]

I still can't revive my PXW-X70.... I've been charging it solid now for almost three months w/o the battery installed. No luck, the screen is still locked Clock Set Menu. Surely there must be a way to replace the internal battery..... I've come to a dead end. If anyone has figured out how to bring the X70 back to life, I would sincerely appreciate your input. Thank you. Ray

[Christopher Young]

Ray.

Yes, the X70 does have a backup lithium storage battery. But it is really only a service tech's job. It's on the MS-1204 Board.

When it is replaced, the battery holder has to be replaced at the same time. The following are the instructions straight from the service manual.

"Replace the battery holder (BH4301) together when replacing the lithium storage battery (BT4301) on the MS-1024 board. (The battery holder removed once cannot be used again.) When mounting these parts, mount the new battery holder first and attach the new lithium storage battery next."

The service manual can be obtained here:
https://elektrotanya.com/sony_pxw-x7...wnload.html#dl

See the attached JPG

Good Luck

Chris Young

[Ray Paula]

Thank You Christopher,
I downloaded the manual in which I just looked at it briefly. I can see that it would be a somewhat complex to do. I do have experience with soldering small projects due to making up my own microphone, speaker, etc. cords along with other projects but, never with camcorders, cameras and such.
One thing that caught my eye was the following on page 2-7 which has me oblivious;

2-6. Precaution on Replacing the MS-1024 Board
2-6-1. Angular Velocity Sensor
Before replacing the board with a repairing board, be sure to record the sensitivity indicated on the angular velocity sensor on the repairing board.
The recorded sensitivity indication must be stored in the repairing board.
Method of the angular velocity sensor sensitivity writing:
Start the Adjust Manual in the Adjust Station and execute the “Angular velocity sensor sensitivity adj” on theADJUST tab.
NoteThe sensitivity of the angular velocity sensor is indicated only on the repairing board, but is not indicated on mass production boards.

As far as the repair itself, I'm confident I could with some step by step instruction. I'll study the manual closer to see what's all involved. On the other hand, I can see where someone that's knowledgeable along with having experience would get the job done properly. With that being said, I would probably have it repaired instead of doing it myself.
Thanks again, I sincerely appreciate the download link for the manual along with your help & advice. This has certainly enlightened me in moving forward. Ray 👍 Happy New Year to You & Yours!

[Christopher Young]

No problems, Ray. I'm pretty proficient with a soldering iron etc. but when it comes to calibration of specific hardware / firmware which often requires dedicated factory kit I rather pay a trained Sony tech to do it. Good luck whichever way you go!

Cheers
Chris