Pulsar P1 Modules with one possible promo?

[g13watches]

I have what I believe to be 4 Pulsar P1 Modules. 3 of them are identical and appear to be standard factory recalled modules and one is different in that all the circuits are lettered.

These are from the personal collection of a former Hamilton Watch Co. Employee.

I am curious about any information any one can offer me. I am especially curious about safe storage and testing! The gentleman who sold these to me had them in the original acrylic cases but those are in quite poor condition at this point.



I am new to this forum so I apologize in advance for any failures to follow protocol. I will post the other pictures after this *test*

Thanks,
Rusty

[bucko170]

Wow quite a find, it will be interesting to see what other members have to say about these.

Welcome to the forum.

[g13watches]

[abem]

Wow,

That is an amazing find!

As you probably already know, the P1s were recalled a few months after their initial release so most of the original modules were replaced and destroyed. I'm probably mistaken about this, but I was under the impression that the total number of known Electro Data original 25 chip modules was in the high single digits. If so, this is quite an incredible find.

I have a 25 chip module from a "Salesman's sample" P1 that has all of the chips numbered like the first sample in your set:


Mine only partially works - the display driver electronics seem to work but the digits don't seem to be advancing.

That's a very impressive find! Every year a few more rare Pulsar artifacts seem to emerge.

-abe.

[Diginut]

.

Amazing stash you have there. Like historically important stash ..

Here's some old photos of my old 25 chip module from a few years ago, now sold. Between us there's 6 surviving modules straight off, and I know of two others in the UK, so I wonder how many really are out there ?!?

When I showed this module to collectors the first question was always 'what do the letters mean?'. Simple. Back then integrated circuit density was extremely low, although early logic gate families did exist. It amazes me that early surface-mount style 'chips' were actually available to make this module possible. Each letter here probably represents a particular logic function, for example A=Decoder Driver, G=quad 2 input nand gate. You can almost work it out using the P1 schematics in the patents and the unpopulated PCB track image ...

module light sensors.jpg

ED 25 chip PCB not inc wire links.jpg

trimmer cap adjustmentcc.jpg

[Diginut]

and more ..

P1 6 digit 25 chip module 2 2.jpg

ED copyright 1970 and patent numbers.jpg

ed 31414 pat pend cc2.jpg

[cte]

Simply... WOW! I hope you can get them to work. Please keep us updated.

[Diginut]

.. and the module number was 0058.

case back serial number 2.jpg

[charger105]

Yes, this is quite an important find. Congratulations !
I would like to see the "original acrylic cases" they came in, just out of curiosity.
If anyone's interested, here's a nice shot of the replacement P1 module, with it's storage case:

viewtopic.php?f=82&t=6202&p=39886&hilit=ledwatch+module#p39886

Be careful when handling these movements. In case you hadn't realised, the display is made up of unprotected wire bonds.........one bump and they'll break.
Do you know what this guy did at Hamilton ? It could be interesting to hear his recollections in a public forum (like this one ).

Rgds.

[charger105]

.

Here's some old photos of my old 25 chip module from a few years ago, now sold. Between us there's 6 surviving modules straight off, and I know of two others in the UK, so I wonder how many really are out there ?!?

Hanno has a working one, so that makes at least 9:

viewtopic.php?f=79&t=6628&p=42709&hilit=institute#p42709

[g13watches]

I am local to the Lancaster Pa area where the Hamilton factory was located. In the past few years I have happily dealt with a few living employees of Hamilton and sadly a few of their estates.

I will be auctioning my collection of Hamilton and Pulsar items online in the near future. I will gladly post the details for that auction and any future finds I am fortunate enough to run across.

I appreciate all the help and will post my other Pulsars in the appropriate channels so I can get accurate details and let everyone out there know what we are finding.

[g13watches]

Here are the acrylic cases that 2 of the modules were in

[fronzelneekburm]

Wow, totally missed this thread. I did not know that P1 module first version acrylic transport cases still existed. thanks so much for sharing the photos. I'd bet Hanno could get one or two of these working again, after all he's a super guru with electronics and the only person i know where who invented, designed and built a complete LED watch module from scratch (And invented some replacement modules for vintage models...).

[g13watches]

the auction for the modules and prototype pulsar p1 will be on the 31st of this month. You can view the auction at http://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/aucti ... category=0

[Diginut]

Some of the interesting Pulsar history mentioned above is showing up on ebay today, with a bizarre auction format. Why not just list it on ebay as normal ?


"Salesmans" P1 / 25 chip module :-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pulsar-P1-Unusu ... 463d56e59c


There's also four P1 early 25 chip E/D modules :-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pulsar-P1-origi ... 463d56e57d



And some "interesting" variations on the P3 case design :-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pulsar-P3-Starb ... 463d56e4ec

[charger105]

Yes, that is a weird format Never seen that before.
The items don't appear on Ebay Australia. Weird.