18 Jan 2006, 08:36
I have checked a few of my P2s and P3s, and a good percentage [the majority, in fact] show 10:00 when batteries are installed [that is, at what I call initial power-up], so this would seem to be a peculiarity of the circuit logic, and perfectly normal. Inability to call up the time by pressing the button suggests either a defective reed switch, or an under-strength pusher magnet; a failing quartz crystal would seem to be ruled out here. Re-polarizing the button magnet is possible, using a rare-earth magnet, but you need to get both the field orientation and strength correct to get reliable switch operation [tricky, at best]. Replacing or adjusting the existing switch [if determined to be intact] is likely to be the least time-consuming approach. Replacement should be done only with another Pulsar switch, as these were manufactured specially to match the field characteristics of the button magnets.