Pulsar 3502 problem

[Scylla]

Hello

I have a Pulsar 3502 Sport which stopped working about a year after I bought it. It was a while ago, but I seem to remember the touch-sensitive button becoming less and less reliable, then it stopped altogether. I replaced the batteries but no joy.. I'd like to get the watch working again, and wondered what my options are - does anyone have any similar experiences please?

Thanks for reading

Best

Damian

[Ade51]

Hi, I've had a similar issue with one of my previous 3502s. Cleaning the touch buttons with alcohol water and using a moist little finger to activate worked however it was always hit and miss with fingers with hard skin on them. I'm sure someone who knows more about Pulsar touch sensors can give you more advice.

[azimuth_pl]

Test the module out of the case, place it with batteries down on the caseback and connect the caseback with the command pins on the module.
If it works then it's a cleaning procedure of the case buttons.

[coconutman351]

I'm also having a problem with my Pulsar Sport. Watch was working fine then one day no display so I assumed the battery needed replacing. Got new batteries yesterday and installed it. I only get 00 00 on the LED display and it stays on. Anyone had a similar problem? I'm hoping there is a "reset" procedure if it gets into that mode.

[coconutman351]

Hi All, just a followup on my 3502 problem, I initially thought the problem might have been a battery leak and I removed the main circuitry module from the battery holder. Under magnified inspection everything looked good and all wire bonding were cleanly in place. I'm still unclear how all this can happen by a simple battery change, although I don't know if the module simply went bad on its own due to its age. Any ideas on a possible fix or where I can get my hands on a replacement module?

[azimuth_pl]

Did you try the easiest of the easiest to swap the quartz?

[coconutman351]

I don't think it's a quartz issue. All the digits light up, not the single digit scenario, so I'm assuming the on-board oscillator to multiplex the LED display is working. Could there be a scenario of an oscillator partially working? In any case I can try it as I do have some spare crystals and see what happens....I appreciate the suggestions though!

[bruce wegmann]

I'm surprised to hear of problems with the Sport model. In fact, until now, I don't recall ever hearing of one that was misbehaving. The 800 module was well-engineered, and is widely considered to be the most reliable one that Time Computer ever produced (it's the one many call "bullet-proof"; I don't know when that got started, but we may finally have to lay that description to rest). The 5503 Touch-Command Dress watch uses the same module (a rare variation has the inertial switch for the Auto-Command feature installed).
In any case, if this was my watch, I'd be inclined to save myself a lot of effort and heartache and simply buy a replacement from Greg Ratcliff; he has a good stock of original modules at a good price.

[coconutman351]

Thanks Bruce, I've actually reached out to Greg as recommended by LordPulsar, however I've been unsuccessful in reaching him via email or through the PM in this forum. Any ideas how I can reach him? Also, this is on of two 3502s I purchase from you a few years back, it's been running like a charm all these years and I've been very careful to replace dead batteries immediately to prevent any battery leakage. The case and crystal is still in pristine condition as it is one of my prized LED watches that I always store in my watch collection case.

[coconutman351]

Does anyone know of another source to obtain a 3502 module? I'm kinda in limbo here w/o a working module. All digits still light up as zeros that does not turn off every time I insert new batteries and the touch buttons have no effect on the screen. Any suggestions at this point would be greatly appreciated.

[azimuth_pl]

Greg is likely your best shot unless somebody else bought some modules from him and would like to sell them.
Be patient and you'll get there :) Sometimes it takes a few years to restore a vintage watch.

[charger105]

I bought a NOS TC module from Greg a few years back.
500 is written on the packet it came in. Pretty sure it's for the TC Dress or Sport models.

If you're interested I'll hold a bettery in it, and see what happens...........not sure how to test a TC model without a case.
PM me if interested.
Rgds.

[coconutman351]

Thanks azimuth_pl for the encouragement and yes you're right, it takes patience to properly restore a vintage watch.

Charger105, I just sent a PM to you, thank you also for your help.

regards,
Coconutman351

[azimuth_pl]

Andy, you can test a touch module the same way.
Simply put the module with batteries on the caseback or a metal surface and short the button contacts with the caseback.

[charger105]

Just tested it and it works fine.
I jut touched the contacts with my finger.
Bottom contact - time and then running seconds.
Top contact - DOW and then date.
It entered setting mode, presumably with multiple contact touches. All parameters were settable. Flashing colon after setting until bottom contact is touched.
Here's the module. It's 25.3mm in diameter:

TC_Module.jpg

Rgds.

[coconutman351]

Yes, this is the exact module that my 3502 contains. Thank you for testing and posing photos of the module. I believe 99.99% that this is the 1 for 1 replacement for my Pulsar Sport. If you are willing to part with it, yes, I'm interested in this module. I just wonder how Greg was able to get these modules, was he a supplier to Pulsar or did he buy up the excess inventory? You can PM me on how you want to handle the transaction.

thank you Charger105 and azumith_pl, this forum rocks...

Regards,
Robert

[bruce wegmann]

Greg is the son of Eddie Ratcliff, who managed the Time Computer Service Department at the factory at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Eddie was given a large stock of parts to continue repairs and honor the last of the three-year warranties on Pulsar watches. I believe that continued even after Rhapsody bought all the physical TC assets, and continued selling Pulsars out of stock for more than a year. Then, Rhapsody sold all remaining interest in Time Computer to Seiko, who took the Pulsar brand name and ran with it. It should be noted that Seiko never has, and almost certainly never will, make a Pulsar with an LED display; all current Seiko Pulsars are LCD only. I am sure that Greg still has some 500 and 801 modules in stock. Oh, and yes, the same module goes in both the 5503 and 3502 models. Greg and his father continued doing repairs, as parts availability permitted, through the early 1990s.

[coconutman351]

Thanks Bruce for the background. You should write a book on the history of the Pulsar Time Computer Saga. They did revolutionize the watch industry but unfortunately lost their market share when LED watches became massed produced. I still remember my childhood days of staring that the Pulsar Time Computer through the display window saying "one day... one day". It certainly took the attention away from Rolex and other fine swiss watches. In Hawaii I have yet to see anyone wear a vintage Pulsar or Omega watch. My collection includes P2 SS, P2 Date SS, P3 GF and a P3 GF with a persistent display date function, P4 GF Executive and 3502A and B and an Omega TC2.

[azimuth_pl]

Not bad for a Pacific collection :)

[coconutman351]

Nice, I should name my collection as such.. the pacific LED watch collection... :) Seriously though I must be the ONLY LED watch or Pulsar TC collector in Hawaii...

[coconutman351]

Andrew, I just received your module and installed it in my 3502 Pulsar Sport. It's alive and well! Thank you for all your help to get this Pulsar Sport operational once again. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you everyone as well for your suggestions.

regards,
Robert

[charger105]

Brilliant
Pleased to hear the module arrived safely and that it was what you needed.
Rgds.