Is this Hughes module toast?

[Wade]

Acquired this 25mm Hughes module (from a Compuchron watch) from the usual place. When I powered it up all the digits are garbled. I lifted the black foil covering the face of this module and see lots of battery salts/corrosion especially around the main processing chip, which probably causing electrical shorts, thus scrambling the display. Is there a way to safely clean this corrosion off without damaging the wire bonds? Perhaps drip some CLR on it?

Funny thing is that I think the watch is still functioning despite the garbled display. So at least the quartz crystal is still good. I would like to save this guy as the 25mm Hughes modules are hard for me to find!

http://yfrog.com/06hughes25mmmoduletoastj

[james_stan]

For such a rare module I'd be inclined to wait for the opinion
of one of the really experienced guys. I know that those teensy wires
scare me.

I have been working on a couple of scrap litronix, one of whuch has the bare wires and on the other they're potted. I have no idea how robust these bare wire are (to touch or static) ..but I have managed to coax some life out of the 'potted' one.

.. a useless post but I share your concerns.

James

[james_stan]

Hi Wade

This post mentions cleaning up a Hughes module with CLR (which I'm guessing is some solution of citric acid) ..

http://www.dwf.nu/viewtopic.php?t=3614

but Retroleds does say to avoid lifting the cover to the wirebonds..

Hopefully someone with some more to offer will be along soon..

Good luck

James

[retroleds]

The wire bonds are extremely fragile - generally speaking, unless you are working under 10X or greater magnification, you can't see to move a small tool (like a needle) carefully enough to not rip them to shreds. You could try the CLR followed by a drop or two of clean water, but I suspect the CLR is going to chew what is left of the bonds bonds in half. Cleaning battery contacts and such is acceptable as they are much thicker and robust. Your milage may vary.

You may have to consider it one to learn on... if that is an unacceptable reality, then collecting vintage digital timepieces may prove too stressful - some things cannot be fixed.

[Wade]

You may have to consider it one to learn on... if that is an unacceptable reality, then collecting vintage digital timepieces may prove too stressful - some things cannot be fixed.

Thanks, I'll give the CLR a try. I think you're right and my chance of success will be very low, but I won't be too distraught over it. At least I'll have a good Hughes quartz crystal for my parts box.

[retroleds]

At least I'll have a good Hughes quartz crystal for my parts box.

That's the spirit!! Usually a good push will tip those off the board - they are very sturdy little guys. Alternately, scrap off some of the silver epoxy around the leads on the side where you are adventuring before giving it a shove