pulsar calc watch

[clockace]

i just picked up a s/s calc watch at a nawcc show for cheap. near mint with stylus and box and booklet. no wallet card. only thing that doesn't work reliably is the flick function. sometimes does but mostly not. anything there that can be replaced without dismantling the whole thing? peter

[bruce wegmann]

Sometimes, if a watch sits for a long time [as in years], the mercury bead that normally does not stick to the longer part of the electrode starts to cling, or "wet", the metal, making for an unreliable 'break" part of the function. I have found that occasionally, if you give the watch a thorough shaking [for a minute or so, at 3 or 4 cycles per second], it will break the residue free, and return the switch to normal function [for a while, at least]. If not, the only fix is a switch swap; fortunately, the calculators use the same switch as the P4s, so a replacement should not be hard to find. Still, unless this is a major irritation for you, I'd be inclined to just let this go, unless you have the tools, parts, and skill to do the fix right. The calculator modules are complicated and relatively delicate, and it would be a shame to lose the whole watch over a minor problem. [And yes, I could do it, but it wouldn't be on my list of favorite repairs]. Try the "shake and bake" fix first, and if it doesn't improve, we'll go from there...

[LEDluvr]

Just read this post but commented it in another thread.
One thing to consider clockace - and I'm sure Bruce knows all about this - once the 'flick of the wrist' feature is working, often times it works even if you don't intend it to. Sometimes it will go off unintentionally, displaying the time even though you don't really want to see it at that momtent - thus 'unnecessarily' draining the battery.
At least it does on my watch.

It might not be such a bad thing if this feature doesn't work.

[clockace]

i had already tried the "shake & bake" method w/o too much success. i have worked at it some more with slight[very] good results. in working with clocks that have mercury vial pendulums i have often noticed that after many years there is a black residue inside the vials. maybe this residue is what prevents good contact in the switch. i did have to put my synchronars aside for a while so i could wear this one. peter

[LEDluvr]

i did have to put my synchronars aside for a while so i could wear this one. peter

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through withdrawls ...
Maybe if you wear a sych in the evening hours only for now?

[clockace]

believe it or not, that IS what i have been doing. wore my synch most of today. now have the calc on. is that sick or what? peter. ps, still no good results with the shake and bake auto command. i am going to ignore it and see if it sorts itself out.

[LEDluvr]

believe it or not, that IS what i have been doing. wore my synch most of today. now have the calc on. is that sick or what?

LOL!
I bet most of the regulars here have done that - I know I have. And on plenty of ocassions....

[clockace]

i am also wearing a late 1950's hamilton electric with the 500 movement in it. that's the one with the 2 tiny contact wires in it. the 505 was later with better contacts. peter

[charger105]

Sounds like you've made another good score with the Pulsar calc Peter. If I were in the US, I'd be lurking around these NAWCC conventions at every opportunity !

Anyway, I'd just leave it alone too, if I were you. There are a lot of exposed wire bonds on the calc modules, which as you know are a pain to deal with. Mines got a sticky calc function button, but I can get it to work if I press it in the sweet spot, so I'm just leaving it for now.

Azimuth has some good details and images of the Pulsar calculator module and disassembly if you're interested:

http://crazywatches.w.interia.pl/photo/ ... lator.html

Rgds,
Andrew.

[retroleds]

If you decide to "go in there" on a Pulsar calc module, I would seriously suggest you give the display a good visual inspection for any lose wire bonds, and then seal the display BEFORE proceeding. What Poitr doesn't mention is you have to lift that umber(reddish-brown) piece of plastic to clean the contacts. The plastic coming loose isn't a problem, it's location isn't that crucial; however, if it bumps into the wirebonds on the display, game will pretty much be over unless you have the patience of Job. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_(Biblical_figure)

[J Thomas]

[retroleds]

I have a suspicion that you've been there before.
Jeff

Did you mean marriage or kids - oh wait, wrong forum, you meant Pulsar calc. watch.

This is actually sealed(in the 18k gold calc.) - if you look closely you can see the line where the epoxy ends one the traces at lower left. Shiny at leftmost corner, then changing slightly...

[J Thomas]