DC IN Power cable is hard to get out

[Jens Rosengren]

Lately the DC cable from my battery plate to my Scarlet has been getting harder and harder to get out. Today I had to use tools to get it it out - manpower alone could not defeat this beast.

My question is, can I grease it and with what? Is there anything else I can do to smooth the process?

 

[ericyoung]

Grease is a bad idea - if it gets on your contacts it'll potentially cause bad connections, and be almost impossible to clean out of the socket.

If it's difficult to get out, it indicates either a worn/damaged/warped socket or a worn/damaged/warped plug or something fouling the locking/release mechanism. Lemo connectors are precision made - even slight burrs, dents or warping (from being stood on perhaps) can be enough to prevent smooth operation. Examine the plug (most likely) for damage to the external shell, the locking prongs, the release collar, and the keying ridges. If there are burrs, you may be able to carefully file them off with a needle file (be careful of the metal being filed off - don't let it drop into the connectors or the camera!).

Otherwise, if you know what you are doing, you could replace the Lemo connector or potentially just the outer shell and release collar. They need to be disassemble/assembled correctly to ensure the correct orientation of pins, so don't mess with it unless you are competent.

 

[shatek king]

Turn the camera upside down and take it out. Sounds funny but it works for me

 

[Jens Rosengren]

Grease is a bad idea - if it gets on your contacts it'll potentially cause bad connections, and be almost impossible to clean out of the socket.


If it's difficult to get out, it indicates either a worn/damaged/warped socket or a worn/damaged/warped plug or something fouling the locking/release mechanism. Lemo connectors are precision made - even slight burrs, dents or warping (from being stood on perhaps) can be enough to prevent smooth operation. Examine the plug (most likely) for damage to the external shell, the locking prongs, the release collar, and the keying ridges. If there are burrs, you may be able to carefully file them off with a needle file (be careful of the metal being filed off - don't let it drop into the connectors or the camera!).


Otherwise, if you know what you are doing, you could replace the Lemo connector or potentially just the outer shell and release collar. They need to be disassemble/assembled correctly to ensure the correct orientation of pins, so don't mess with it unless you are competent.

The lock/unlock function works alright. I do think its a plug, I'll try it out on a friends epic to see if its the plug or the socket of my scarlet. I'll give your suggestion a try, thanks

Turn the camera upside down and take it out. Sounds funny but it works for me

I tried today, it got really stuck. It worked in the past, but its only getting worse!

Thanks for your suggestions guys

 

[Robert Hart]

The release collar may have got a bit of grit in it and may be coming up short of its full travel. The trusty canned air with little skinny straw attached, turned upside-down and a short shot only of liquid gas into the collar, then agitatation of the collar on the plug body whilst the liquid gas boils off might be your best friend. Once you have finished agitating the collar, turn the canned air can correctly upright again and blast out the collar to remove any water condensation which may have been attracted. Allow the plug a few hours to dry out just to be sure. Wear gloves and eye protection. You do not need freeze burns on your corneas. If that does not work, the little cams inside the collar may have become worn and failing to release cleanly. When removing Lemo plugs, push the rear body of the plug inwards against the camera with one hand whilst you pull the collar back with the other. That may assist you. It also helps to conserve the plugs from wear. - Please take heed of better brains than mine who contribute here, especially if they offer cautions against potential hazards I am not aware of.

 

[Stephen Williams]

Lately the DC cable from my battery plate to my Scarlet has been getting harder and harder to get out. Today I had to use tools to get it it out - manpower alone could not defeat this beast.

My question is, can I grease it and with what? Is there anything else I can do to smooth the process?

Out of interest why do you keep removing the cable?

 

[Jens Rosengren]

Out of interest why do you keep removing the cable?

I travel a lot with my gear. It won't fit in the peli-case unless I do

 

[Jens Rosengren]

Turn the camera upside down and take it out. Sounds funny but it works for me

I tried this a second time, and after slowly pulling the plug and holding the camera with the socket down for about 2-3 minutes, it finally released. Weird, but once again. Thanks

I think I'll need to fix it though!