Date II - No Date Display?

[bucko170]

I have a Date II which works great and keeps good time but the date button only works with the assistance of the setting magnet.

I have checked out the previous threads and found a thread relating to over sensitive buttons, but can't find anything for ones that are under sensitive!

I have set the date and month and it works as it should, so I suspect the module is ok and it is the button at fault..........do they have a tendency to lose magnetism?

From reading the previous threads I understand that the reed switches were color coded depending on strength, is there any way to tell if the module is original\correct with the case?

Any quick and easy fix tips?

[BENRUS]

I recently had (still have) issues with a Date-Command that the date function stopped working. It stinks to have a useless button

I have been tinkering around with a few modules reed switches recently with the "too strong" magnet strength issue. With removal of the silicone/epoxy that holds the reed in place, and slight delicate crimping of the wires going to the reed...I was able to fix the problem by moving them inward.
If your reed switch on the date side has a little slack in the wires running to it, Maybe you might be able to gently straiten them out to get the reed closer to magnet/button?

My Date-Command that I'm having issues with is a sensor issue I think??? I can warm it up with a hair dryer for a second, and it will work for about 15 minutes...After that the time continues to work perfect, but with no date (I'm going to put this module in a P2, and get rid of the headache).

Good luck with yours!

[bruce wegmann]

The button magnets in the P2-3-4 series modules were typically AlNiCo 5, an aluminum-nickel-iron-cobalt alloy that is still an industry standard for many applications. It is one of the best materials for permanent magnets [permanent magnets, as the name implies, do not lose their magnetic strength unless 1. subjected to a very powerfut external magnetic field, or 2. heated above the Curie Point, the temperature at which a magnetic material loses its' magnetic properties...typically, many hundreds of degrees C.]. Mechanical shocks, even such as the thousands of Gs Time Computer tested their modules at, do not affect the strength of such magnets. The switches themselves, though, ARE subject to damage by mechanical shock or powerful external magnetic fields. So, given all that, my guess is that your switch, not the button, is the source of your problem. The leaves are only a few thousandths of an inch apart [.1 to .15 mm], so there is not much tolerance in the relative position of switch-to button. Not only is the separation distance critical, but so is the rotational orientation. So, with all these variables, it was not possible to be certain that one module could be transplanted into another case, with any reasonable expectation that the button response would be acceptable [the reason all such repairs were done at the factory, and why the color-coding of the switches, a not-always-successful attempt to make the parts interchangeable]. The simplest test is, with the module powered, and out of the case, short across the switch [a fine-pointed pair of tweezers are ideal; and do this only if you are properly grounded...any amount of static electricity is the kiss of death for these modules!]. If the date displays, it's the switch, if not, it's likely a break in the circuit deeper in the electronics, and probably not repairable. And beyond having good button response [where the display is activated when the button is about three-quarters of the way to the limit of travel...not a heavy push or a gentle touch], I can't think of any way to be absolutely certain that the module is exactly the same one that was in there when the watch left the factory.

[Led-Time]

Mick,

I've been having a similar issues with a couple of P2's, having tried known working P2 and a Date II modules ( you can reverse this one and try the two reed switches) but they wouldn't work I got thinking it was a magnet problem so I bought a gash stainless steel Hamilton case and swapped the buttons (a dead easy job by the way) now they work fine, it was a magnet problem after all.

Hopefully next week the P2 cases will be on their way to Hanno in Germany for module replacements...

[bucko170]

I bought a gash stainless steel Hamilton case and swapped the buttons (a dead easy job by the way)

I spun the module around and the date/month worked with the opposite button but the time did not display. If I hold the setting magnet (which is quite weak) against the button the date\month works. It seems as if the date\month display just needs a little bit more than the button is able to give.

I have cleaned the internals and around the reed but this did not do the trick, how easy is it to swap the buttons?

[charger105]

Sometimes they put a little piece of hi-mu sheet metal on the flat part of the button (on the inside of the case) to weaken a high strength button.

It's worth a look just to check that this isn't sitting on the inside of your button, effectively weakening your button.

Rgds,
Andrew.

[Led-Time]

Mick,

I used a hot air paint stripping gun to remove the crystal and to de-solder the button, I take it your Date II is stainless.

The job is very easy… gently heat up the case and using a fine screwdriver drag the tip over the solder joint on the button and when its reached the critical temperature you'll see the shiny surface of the softened solder then simply push out the button from outside to inside the case. If you have a de-soldering vacuum tool this is great for sucking up the old solder from the button recess. When fitting the replacement button keep a very gentle pressure on the back of the button again when it reaches the critical temperature it’ll just push in place then dab a few spots of solder around the button till it fills the joint (you’ll see this no problem) and that’s it all done.

If your not keen on the job send me your Date II case I'll change it over for you no problem.

[bucko170]

If your not keen on the job send me your Date II case I'll change it over for you no problem.

Thank you for the kind offer Klippie, but I will have to find myself a suitable SS donor first.

Sometimes they put a little piece of hi-mu sheet metal on the flat part of the button (on the inside of the case) to weaken a high strength button.

Thanks for the tip but no such luck, the inside of the button is clean and free from any coverings.

[Led-Time]

No problem, a seller on Ebay has been selling off a load of Pulsar cases recently they've been making nothing pick a couple of those up and you'll have spares too.

I wish I'd bought some myself...