It is currently 28 Mar 2024, 20:15


P2 segments: 1 brighter than 0

  • Author
  • Message
Offline

dixda

Member

Member

  • Posts: 4
  • Joined: 10 Jan 2017, 23:51
  • Location: Beautiful BC, Canada

P2 segments: 1 brighter than 0

Post10 Feb 2017, 16:11

Hi all, First post here.

After lurking this very informative forum, I have been able to revive my 3013 module.
I used the vinegar, water, alcohol soak. I am very pleased with the results, I'm sure many here can relate.
I now have a functioning stainless P2 Astronaut.

After pressing the button for the past week, i noticed that, in daylight, the 1 and seven are brighter.(also colon)
I attribute this to there being more LEDs in the other numbers and the power draw for those displayed.
Is this normal? Old age?

I also have Hamilton QED with a PLT-1 replacement module that doesn't show this effect, with the exception of the colon.

At this time I'm just happy to have my "Bond" watch working and was wondering if this is normal for a module from that era?
Last edited by dixda on 10 Feb 2017, 22:14, edited 1 time in total.
Offline

dixda

Member

Member

  • Posts: 4
  • Joined: 10 Jan 2017, 23:51
  • Location: Beautiful BC, Canada

Re: P2 segments: 1 brighter than 0

Post10 Feb 2017, 22:12

Being that our benevolent benefactor, Hanno also has replacement modules.
I should probably say that I bought the PLT-1 before I knew there was an SASM.
I would have prefered the Hamilton original module repaired than replaced.
Offline
User avatar

bruce wegmann

Pulsar Moderator

Pulsar Moderator

  • Posts: 1287
  • Joined: 02 Aug 2004, 02:13
  • Location: San Diego, CA

Re: P2 segments: 1 brighter than 0

Post11 Feb 2017, 22:30

This is a common effect, an artifact of the multiplexing scheme used on the early LED watches. The driver transistors on each digit were capable of sourcing only so much current, so, the power had to be "shared" among enabled segments in each digit. The fewer the number of powered segments, the more current each could receive, and so appear brighter. 1s and 7s are always brighter than 0s and 8s, for example. The effect becomes more noticeable as battery voltage drops.
Offline

dixda

Member

Member

  • Posts: 4
  • Joined: 10 Jan 2017, 23:51
  • Location: Beautiful BC, Canada

Re: P2 segments: 1 brighter than 0

Post12 Feb 2017, 15:34

Thank you. As I suspected. Indeed this effect has become more apparent since I cannot stop pushing the button.
I will have to keep up with the batteries, I use the silver oxide 357's, Duracell or Eveready.
Offline
User avatar

bruce wegmann

Pulsar Moderator

Pulsar Moderator

  • Posts: 1287
  • Joined: 02 Aug 2004, 02:13
  • Location: San Diego, CA

Re: P2 segments: 1 brighter than 0

Post12 Feb 2017, 20:55

I'm partial to the Renata brand, myself. Swiss-made, top quality; never had one leak on me. Not saying there's necessarily anything wrong with the others, but I did get one Eveready that was dead, fresh out of the package, and a Duracell that leaked. So, until something better comes along, I'll stick with what has performed best.
Offline
User avatar

dutchsiberia

Techno Mage

Techno Mage

  • Posts: 635
  • Joined: 23 Dec 2011, 00:25
  • Location: Grootegast, Netherlands

Re: P2 segments: 1 brighter than 0

Post12 Feb 2017, 21:43

Interesting, Renata batteries took out two of my Seiko 7t59 watches, circuits are unobtainable. The batteries were still working while they leaked, bought from a reputable source.
I'm trying Seizaiken batteries at the moment :)
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/seiza ... rcury-free
Offline

dixda

Member

Member

  • Posts: 4
  • Joined: 10 Jan 2017, 23:51
  • Location: Beautiful BC, Canada

Re: P2 segments: 1 brighter than 0

Post14 Feb 2017, 00:26

Sorry for your loss.
Bruce, I have found that the Eveready and Duracell are generally lower voltage than the packaging states.
I use my multimeter to pic the best two out of the 3pack. It seems that some are as low as 1.35V
My guess is they lose a little sitting on the shelf.

Return to Pulsar and Hamilton

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests