After wasting many hours searching for someone that had the recommended Panasonic 1.7v batteries in stock (versus the standard 1.5v battery found everywhere) and trying a couple of suggestions to improve the battery / terminal contact, I decided on trying the solution provided by blackduk on this thread (http://www.fixya.com/support/t1595282-olympus_fe_310_battery_problems), with very slight modification.First I just placed the capacitor across the terminals and closed the battery door. It increased my shots per battery from about 10 to about 50. (Not great, but probably because the connection wasn't even as good as a 'cold solder'.) But it was enough of an improvement, and as the battery door never closed properly with this 'fix', I decided to go with soldering. Afterwards, I went through two battery sets in testing. Both times I got in excess of 300 images, with flash on all photos and zooming in and out while the flash charged!
Instructions:Accessing the terminals was easy. Just remember, it is the thin front panel of the camera that comes off (after removing 6 screws). Facing the lens, the 4 long screws need to be returned to the right side and bottom of the camera. The 2 short screws need to be returned to the left of the camera. Measure and clip the wires on the capacitor. Have a hot iron. (Initially I didn't have it hot enough and singed the plastic trying to get a good join. Hotter for a shorter period makes a better solder and won't melt the plastic.) Tin the terminals. Grip your capacitor wire with needle nose pliers, hemostats or some other heat-sink when soldering. Do it. (Mine is far from a pretty piece of work, but functionally it is perfect - and you can't see my goofs once the face plate is back on.)
Parts:I ordered the capacitors from Talon Electronics. I got Axial, instead of Surface Mount, with the same specifications blackduk provided. A quantity of five, Item Number TNC0019, 2.2uF 10V Molded Axial Tantalum Capacitors, cost me $7.23. That included shipping (they were .25¢ each). I ordered through www.talonix.com.Good Luck,Andrew
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