Synchronar MK I module

[rklumpp]

Hello there,
in these pictures you see a MK I module in very bad shape.
What do you think? Is there still any life in it?
I'll tell you in a couple of days...

Regards

[leddwatch]

Good luck!! Looks like the oscillator circuitry is gone and one of the demand reed switches will need hotwiring, I think it may work with an oscillator mod chip. Ive always thought that the synchronar logic chips are always the most robust of any of them, unless they are wiped out by battery acid.

We're holding our breath here....

[rklumpp]

Yep, you're right leddwatch!
After attaching an oscillator chip (you see it in the background) the module is working perfectly!
It will still be a long way till it's back in a watch case, but it's worth the effort.

[Synchroserious]

Well good job there rklumpp.Barry just informed me you managed to get several working.I take it this was a previously opened unit.The trimmer and QC is missing on the first photos

Did you remove it to use the higher drain oscilator chip instead of using it or a new one in combination with the can type QC?

Wonderfull to see those old Monsanto dots work but what are you going to do about attaining accuracy using the Osc chip :?

[rklumpp]

Hi,
I've got the module the way it is shown in the first pictures. I have nothing removed. I wonder what has happened to it.
And Barry is right: In the last lot I have bought from him, there were three working modules. One of them is the one shown here.
In the meantime I have resoldered the reed switches. I hope I have the time to post some pictures during the week end.

About the osc chip: Because the PCB is badly damaged where the osc circuitry was formerly, I guess I will "implant" simply an osc chip.

[rklumpp]

Here the promised pictures with the now resoldered reed-switches.

[rklumpp]

Hi,
now I have attached an osc chip. The module is working as supposed.

[digibloke]

Really nice work, especially replacing the display drivers. You must have very steady hands.

I can see that you've got your chip connected to the + and - power connections but how do you determine which of the old oscillator connections to attach it to? I can't see the third connection on your pic.

[rklumpp]

Hi Digibloke,
a steady hand and luck is what you need. Especially luck.
I will post later a picture with the actual wiring. When you magnify this picture you'll see an arrow and a circle, where I have connected the osc chip.

[digibloke]

I will post later a picture with the actual wiring.

Thanks. I'd appreciate that.

[Handy]

Nice work mate.

I'm learning as much as I can about Synchronars as I am saving up for a new one from Howard.
I was going to buy a faulty one but I'm never really very lucky so I'll buy a new one.

Good luck with your repair work and I look forward to seeing the completed item soon.

Cheers,
Ian

[rklumpp]

Hi digibloke,
here's the picture with the soldered osc chip cable. It doesn't look like much, but it works.
Next I will try to reattach the solar panel. Never done this before, so this can take a while....

[digibloke]

Thanks a lot for that. You've certainly found route 1 when it comes to getting a signal into the IC. I can't help but wonder if it's possible to make a connection to where the original quartz was soldered onto the circuit board. That way, on a complete module the solar cells could be left in place.

Looking forward to seeing your finished project in a case.

DB.

[rklumpp]

Hi,
sure it's possible to make a connection where the original quartz was. I will show you later (or tomorrow). In this case however the pcb was badly damaged so that there were no usable conductive strips any more.

[rklumpp]

Hi,
here you see where the quartz was soldered originally. You can attach the osc chip on either conductive strip.

[digibloke]

Coolio. Thanks :D

[Synchroserious]

OK, as long as everyone understands there is no need for the Osc chip and that it is easier to put a regular QC right where the photos indicate.This way everything will work as it is supposed to.

[rklumpp]

Sorry Synchroserious,
but that's too easy thinking. In order to get the quartz working you need:
1. Quartz
2. Trimmer (resitor)
3. capacitor AND
4. oscillator circuit, commonly known as op amp (operational amplifier)

The oscillator circuit is part of the IC which contains the binary logic.

The original patents shows that a Synchronar needs them as well. If any of these components is malfunctioning, the resonant circuit won't work.
I have a lot of modules on my table where this is the case: All external components are present and checked, but no resonance!

[Synchroserious]

There is no flaw that would call for de modifying the watch using that Osc chip.It may be that parts such as the trimmmer,AKA trimming capacitor,tuning capicitor and the original Quartz crystal are missing.But that is no reason to use a high drain Osc chip with no adjustment range.
You are right the Osc circuitry is on the chip(the real chip is an integrated circuit and not simply a chip that is quartz Osc inside of a chip looking package).


You may have things on your bench but a Synchronar never had a trimmer resistor as you call it.The patents were filled way before the date on your recent image and have nothing to do with this mirracle pill like the one Phil used on Pulsars he was selling.He had his cake without admitting they were not original and EAT BATTERIES even FASTER. Then when he was done selling he got to eat some cake for his contribution to saving THOSE CIRCUITS!

There is no way possible for Phil or anyone else to look at a photo and conclude that it needs the so called Osc chip. I hope you can agree on that if nothing else.BTW Phil was very wrong about the batteries on a Synchronar and like other things he is deceptive about,refuses to apologies or admit to.

[rklumpp]

Please leave this Phil business out of this thread, Synchroserious. I don't know about it and it has nothing to do with what I've stated above!

You're right about the trimmer: It's a capacitor, not a resistor! Sorry for the mistake.

You're right as well that you can't guess from a picture if a osc chip is needed or not.

But again, leave other stuff out of this thread.

About my modules: Believe me, I have checked them again and again and only as a last resort I use an osc chip.

[Synchroserious]

No offence really intended rklumpp,I just get carried away with folks that do so much guessing games and not a simple email.I have enough wisdom to know it is possible a small percentage of these offeriings may have been rejected 20-30 years ago for having an (internal IC osc problem) but that does not mean they were all that way nor is it a common thing like some choose to believe.Sorry about the Leddwatch thingy.he knows I respect him despite some unanswered agenda.

[rklumpp]

That's okay for me.
I just try to get as many modules working as I can. And with no documentation and only (more or less) defective modules, it's hard work to assemble knowledge.

So what I post here is based on my experience with the material on hand.

Regards
Remy