Congratulations on your channel, I follow with great interest and I want to thank you, I have found many help and many guides to repair some watches of my modest collection! Thanks 👍👍👍
If going the polorizing filter route, I would make up shims from the left over material, drill appropriate size holes and install them under the lcd clamps. That way you can tighten the screws properly and would not have to worry about the lcd moving around. Good video.
I've removed the old polariser and replaced it with a new one but there are some modules where letters and symbols are printed on the polariser itself. Pasting the new one over the old makes a lot of sense!
Thanks for helping me finally understand how my Casio Pathfinder display could malfunction (it it is mostly faded until stored in the dresser away from light). Also, the compass readings now only say north or east (regardless of direction). It was a swell watch for about a year (maybe less). Excellent video.
My parents bought me this Seiko watch back in 1983. I wore this watch for 20 years , until moisture was getting in and would show up in the display. The O-ring on the battery cover had dried out and I used electrical tape to cover the battery cover. But in the summer time when you would sweat the electrical tape would move and the moisture would get in. One day it just died and I threw out the watch. To bad your videos weren’t around then , I would of mailed it out to you to see if you could fix it. By the way love all your videos , keep them coming.
With apologies for digging these comments up after 5 years, I have a question about a faded LCD/Casio T-2000 project I'm plotting… If you measure an existing Up Converter capacitor which has already degraded, won't the replacement with a capacitor of an equivalent value also provide insufficient power? Really you need to know what spec that component had at the factory. Also, so many thanks for these videos. It’s a great (and also scarce) resource.
From my experience, it has always with the polarized film. Especially watches above 6 or 7 years from production date. It seems that watches that kept in a long time in the drawer or dark places may subject to the fading LCD. If it was less than 5 years or less the condenser might contribute to the failure. This is a good video anyway!
If you read the capacity of a damaged condenser you have a wrong reading. When you replaced the capacitor with one of the same capacity you have no changes. The question is, what was the original value of the capacity before the damage!
I agree on that. And furthermore, this type of ceramic capacitor (MLCC) is known for a loss in capacitance over a long time, caused by changes happening in the ceramic material. But it can also regain its full capacitance by heating it above the so-called "Curie temperature" (around 125 °C). This heating process must last for about half an hour, so the short soldering time is usually not enough to reverse the capacitance loss. But IF some of the loss has been regained, the capacitor will lose a lot of it again in the first time after the heating. That's why measurements immediately after heating may give unreliable results. The capacitor should rest for a couple of hours before being measured.
Today I successfully de-aged the capacitors in the 549 module of my Casio w-780. I unsoldered them and put them on a cooking plate for 1 hour at the lowest setting, which gave a an average temperature of approx. 170 °C. They all regained a considerable amount of capacity, but like I said before, in the first few hours after heating, you can literally watch them lose some capacity again, until it stabilizes on a higher level than before. So it's hard to say how much capacity they gained in the end, since the soldering heat also has an influence on it. But I guess it's somewhere around 30% or more. Unfortunately this did not solve the problem with the display, which shows a changing amount of fading in several segments. So the loss of contrast is not evenly distributed among the whole display, and it's not always the same at the same spot. What is even more strange: When I activate the test mode (all segments visible) the fading effect is gone!! And if I supply the module with a higher voltage (around 3.5 to 4 V), that eliminates the effect too. Right now I'm a bit clueless as to what is causing this. Any ideas?
Reading the bad cap and selection of near same value would not fix the issue. The cap should be listed in the service manual. Looks like he had a manual. Why didn’t he look up the proper valve in the manual.
Great video are you self taught,another great watch and informative video 40 years ago I remember looking at that watch in a shop window,it's on my list.
Generally nothing happens to ceramic MLCCs with time. Sometimes they crack across and then they fail, either losing the bulk of their capacitance or going short, but there is no gradual expected decline in capacitance, no chemical changes, these are extremely inert materials, so they shouldn't be replaced unless indicated by measurement. It's a good idea to measure in-circuit so you don't have to needlessly damage the substrate by soldering if you have a good idea of the circuit overall in cases where there isn't a lot of parallel capacitance, and if it measures too low or you get a resistance measurement across is too low, then replace. Boost circuit capacitors are not critical in capacitance, 10-20% is fine. They have variation from the factory. Thing is you never know whether your new MLCC will be a quality manufactured product that is going to last (especially if you haven''t bought it off Murata, TDK or Kemet), or whether it has a hidden fracture or material inconsistency from the factory that can cause it to crack; and the process of desoldering and resoldering MLCC can fracture them via thermal shock, so desoldered MLCC should normally not be reused even if they measure OK. So if your in-circuit measurement gives you a good indication that they're fine, leaving them alone is an adequate course of action.
In my case I can't find a local distributor of polarizer replacements. So I use polarizer films from old LCD panels. Some of them are thick and touch enough to peel without damage and can be recycled. I use solvents like lacquer thinner when peeling off the film using Xacto knife and wiping off the glue.
Cleaning the zebra strips and display contacts with some alcohol can also help with a faded display. I did this with an old LCD game and the difference was night and day. I just received a watch that has a very faded display (more clear when looking at an extreme angle). It also fades out when pressing a button (not when pressing the light). Also the digits change slowly. I think this is probably a bad capacitor, or a dirty contact somewhere.
tenho um Casio G-shock DW5600 máquina 901 e troquei a película polarizadora e ficou bom. usei a película polarizadora de uma calculadora. ficou muito bom!
When LCD watches first came out, the displays only had a life expectancy of around ten years, before the chemicals inside degraded... and unfortunately, that is still the case today - even with large back-lit TV screens.
There are actually some early manuals from Citizen that informed you that you LCD will last 40.000 hours if I am correct, so that is just under 4 years. But they still work today so probably they were guestimating.
I think that if the original capacitor is bad, the reading in the multimeter is giving the bad capacitor value, so changing it for a new cap with the bad capacitance is useless. You would need to know the original capacitor specifications.
Great! I usually remove the old one, a tricky job but works nice... I had done one few days ago, it was a Casio W-350,module 152 with a reddish front polarizer film.
The other advantage of removing the old filter is that you can use it as a template to cut the new one! I think you would definitely have to remove it if you wanted to invert the digits and background colours. I use polarising filters for a gameboy which are cheap on ebay.
Very interesting video. It made me inspect my old Casio W-780 with the 549 module again. It has a very strange contrast problem, I've never seen before. Instead of an evenly weak contrast over the whole display like in your video, it shows a "dynamic" loss of contrast depending on what is shown on the display. That means, the same segment can have full contrast at one time and weak contrast at another, depending on what the other segments show. Or a segment that is supposed to be off, is sometimes visible with a weak contrast. So this can obviously not be cured by simply sticking a new polarizer on top of the display. So after watching this video, I started to think about whether this phenomenon could also be caused by a weak capacitor. Unfortunately I can't find any technical document about the Casio module, nor any information about such behavior of an LC display anywhere else. The module has three capacitors in a row, so I don't even know which is the up converter (if any). What do you think, may this problem be related to a weak capacitor? The display also shows a very slight amount of the rainbow effect, but it's barely visible.
That is most likely a problem with contacts on the zebra strip, specifically the common or ground line. Power returning is variable depending on load (how many segments are active). If one segment is consistently faded, that would indicate the problem is on that driving contact only. In either case, the fix is to remove and clean the zebra strip with isopropyl alcohol (aka IPA 99%, aka electronics cleaner). Sometimes one side of the zebra strip has a contact glue film on it, and that can make the job harder as the cleaning solvent will remove that glue as well - makes reassembly much more difficult. You can try cleaning only the unglued side, and that may work. Do not attempt to apply any glue yourself, it will just ruin the display, as is the case if you just smear that glue across the contacts and then try to reassemble it. (misplaced glue will insulate the contacts and prevent it working.
@@Chrisamichey thanks I'm going to look into this zebra strip, got an old Bape G Shock that was supposed to just need a battery but it's about 20 years old. I put the battery in and I could see the numbers but they were faded. Within about 5 minutes I could no longer see the numbers or display but back light still works so I know the battery is good. One of the buttons was sticky and inactive so I thought maybe if I gut it and clean all the contacts with alcohol maybe it would work, while I have it open I'll play around with polarizing film as well
I enjoyed your video. Thanks for posting. The problem I see is that you measured the capacitance and then replaced with exactly the same. Your result was just what I expected. If it was the capacitor, then the value you measured was the value after it drifted, not the value it was when it came out of the factory. I appreciate you do mention that you can't find the original specs, but replacing like for like will result in no change.
Yes I agree, I hoped that other paramaters of the capacitor would have been outof spec, so a new one I knew at least those were fine. A variable capacitor would have been a good idea thoughu to test.
You were very brave to attempt the fixes - both the capacitor fix and the polariser fix. Inspired by your videos I have just bought a non functioning Seiko 0439 5009 on eBay.
Yep, agree with Richard. I’m no expert, anything but, but it would have been worthwhile replacing the cap with one 30% to 50% above what you read from the old one, and also replace the other cap (right beside the first) at the same time.
"Attaching the film to the display is much more riskier".... he hasn't seen me use a solder iron. For him it's much more riskier.... for me putting that film on, I could do in my sleep. Thanks for the video
I would imagine that before attempting either of these two fixes, you'd stick a new battery in, right? Then, if that doesn't change anything, proceed to the capacitors...
Very comprehensive video! I’m wondering if you have anything about LCD screen Seiko 0644? Digits on the screen are faded pretty badly plus the fact that the battery last 2 days only. Any advice? Or video how to disassemble? Thanks in advance!
Very amazing video again. In my opinion it would be better to cut the polarizing film before some smaller to prevent what you described, that the film is liftet by the guides. Because the visible part of the display trough the window is smaller than the LCD itself. I think it can be 1mm away from the border without beeing visible later. And the thickness of the display would be the same as before in the areas of mounting the brackets. On the other hand not so easy to install. What do you think?
Thank you for these very helpful videos. Do you happen to have any recommendations for watch repair in California? Preferably someone with your attention to detail?
Getting a venerable Seiko 0439 back to life thanks to your video! Where did you get the polarized adhesive film? Thanks so much for sharing!!! Long live to Vintage LCD! (Thanks to you)
I have a vintage lcd digital watch which display is pretty dim. Thanks to you I know that it probably needs a needs a new polarizer. But I’m a noob and don’t want to mess up the watch, also I would like to add a led backlight to better see the time in the dark. Furthermore it needs a better sealant on its back cover plate for more sweat resistance. Would you be able to help me out?
I wonder if you could have removed the old polarizing film first? When I have modified negative LCD's to positive (I hate the dark LCD's), I have always taken the old film off first. Thanks for the video. I've got an older 1545 module Casio DW-5600E with a faded display. I'm going to try to invest some time in taking the old polarizing film off and installing new film.
Great video. 3 Casio CQ-82 multi alarm clocks have just come into my possession & they all have the same faded displays. Can the same kind of film help fix the problem?
Thanks for your videos! I'm doing an AC reset on a vintage Casio Skywalker. The 12:00 comes up during the reset, but if i stop the reset the module goes blank again. If i hold in a button while doing the AC reset the watch works but a bit more faded. If i let the button go it goes blank again. I wonder if you have any suggestions?
Hi there, What a great fix. I have a Timex Expedition that the chime and alarm are faint. How do I get this to sound louder? the pieso sounding plate is fine and the battery is good and strong as it was replaced but still the problem persists, Can you help in what to look out for?
hello sir, is there any differences between removing the old polarizer instead of new polarizer stick on the old polarizer? why in this case it is not becoming negative display when you've tested it?
Hi, my old Orient music alarm watch has also faded digits and in addition there is like a rainbow shade that makes the vision even more difficult. I guess it is due to the aging of the original polarizing sheet inside. I´d like to ask the community if someone has removed the original sheet before placing a new one and if this job is easy. I see a high risk of broeaking the LCD in doing so, so i´m not convinced it´s worth enough. Any tip is welcomed
I don't think that this issue is related to the SMD capacitors because these are not electrolytic capacitors (!) I had the same issue with 3 CASIO's from 80's and i fixed it without any new parts. I simply cleand the contacts on the PCB which has contact to the two Elastomers (looks like rubber lips) and the the Elastomers itself with a Q-Tip and a bit Isopropyl alcohol. Afterward the contrast of the display was again perfectly.
So i bought an old G shock needed a battery change, i put the battery in and noticed the screen was very dim and actually missing some pieces of the numbers before losing all the numbers completely. Back light still turns on. So i think i need to do the up convertor trick. I hope watching this video helps me figure it out!
Hi, very helpful video, thanks for it. I´m a watches entusiast, specially mechanical ones, but I like the old school lcd ones too. Few months ago I purchased an old scrappy "citizen cryston lc", as far as I know a really old model. I put a new battery on it but barely turned on. I cleaned all circuits with isopropyl alcohol and after that it turns on, but after 1 or 2 seconds the screen dies slowly, then turns on again only for die again. Do you think the problem is one of that 2 you talk in the video? there´s almost any information about those watches
Hi, from your description, No, I don't think it is a faded LCD. But I have come across this behavior "watch turns on for a few seconds then display fades out". In those cases I replaced all the components on the board but never really did a successful fix. Some people say it is due to heat and that it affects the crystal and other components. Sorry I can't be of any more help but my experience is limited with that issue. regards, TIbi
Hi ,, I’ve been looking for these filters and can’t find them on eBay. What I can find is big sheets self adhesive but for galaxy phones . They are very cheap but was wondering if they would work? Is a polarising filer just a polarising filter or are there many types . ?
Hi, Michael Reitberger posted a link below in the comments with a supplier but there are many variations and I don't know if they make any difference, but what I can tel you us that I used this one: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polarized-Film-faded-digit-Negative-Display-mod-Spare-parts/323235191374?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Oh gosh. I have a 1973 Gruen Teletime (Pacemaker) incoming. The seller says the display is perfect, but even in the pictures, it looks very faint. I might have to source a replacement screen. Not sure I can fix with a polarising filter.
Hi, do you know how to determine if the lcd watch is broken or not? the lcd from my old watch is not showing any sign but I check from the lcd contact in the board there is voltage about 1-2V.
I have been working on that, but it seems there is not a single fault. Sometimes the polarised filter get damaged and you have a chance to replace it. But when those Newtonian rings appear it is tricky, I haven't found anything against that thus far. Replacing a burnt polariser is something like this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JJ-yw4YA1OQ.html
I don't really understand a lot of electronics theory but from my logic I would derive that if the capacitors have drifted over time to a different value, the replacement should have their original value and not the current one because that is the wrong, drifted one. Does that make sense? Or do capacitors work in a different way.. Would appreciate if someone could help me on this
If the capacitor value shifted then why would you use the value of the defective capacitor? I would think a higher value would be needed to restore the charge state.
hello I have a casio m-15 melody and the screen has the numbers engraved even if it is without a battery how can you repair those screen or clean greetings
Dear Vintage Digital Watches, I have a Seiko A359 digital LCD watch that has two problems: 1. It is losing time; and 2. The digits while still showing good contract are a bit fainter than previously and sometimes the display goes out completely when the ambient temperature is cool. Is there any possibility that I could send you this watch for an overhaul and repair?
I know next to nothing about digital watches (yet...just starting), but I do have some experience with 70s and 80s electronics via a love for arcade machines and games consoles. If you’re going to change one capacitor- change them all. I’ve seen a 40 year CRT screen shine like new after that
Hi! very good repair reports. I have a question for you about the repair of Casio's watch??? There is the next the situation: clock Casio DB 31 and CA 50 in them one and the same the reason. when the battery is inserted the watch run if you can get the battery and insert back the clock is not included , you can several times to set and get the battery out and that does not happen. the clock will lie down 5 - 10 minutes without battery, then insert the battery the clock starts to go again. It happens that inserting the battery indication on the LCD is not complete and seconds do not go. it is necessary to remove the battery and reinsert and then maybe the watch will work normally or do not show. Is that some kind of capacitor? if Yes, what and how to define it???
Bonjour et bravo pour vos vidéos très intéressantes j’ai une montre citizen mouvement lcd 9460A les condensateurs ne sont pas soudés sur la carte mère et sont manquants avez vous les caractéristiques des condensateurs et leurs valeurs pour le remplacement merci par avance Gilles
