Jump to content

Recommended Posts

10 minutes ago, jdm said:

On the other hand probably the ideal all-in-one quartz tester doesn't exist.

I am in the process of building a custom tester based on the Accutron 600 test set.  I choose the 600 because I have a pristine 700 and dont mind hacking the 600.  I like the test set because of the huge 25ua meter!

I am designing a variable battery source using a miniature digital volt meter mounted on a 3D printed module that plugs into the hole in the 600 test set (where the leads are stored).  This is not a "does everything" tester either.  It will let me test for low and high battery voltages, and also test pulse current.

The picture shows the current state of the module--basically got the 3D print done.  The electronics will be trivial.

2021-12-21 07_03_55-20211221_070158.jpg ‎- Photos.png

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The combination quartz watch testers  are as jdm said over priced   I got hold of one and took it to bits, the cct board is or was then cobbled from somthing else to do the job and the wiring was terrible as was the soldering. I threw it away and only saved the transformer (line release) and built it to another case Its still working which is more can be said for the rest.  I tracked the originol to India but got no response from the people who made it, which was not surprising.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

The combination quartz watch testers  are as jdm said over priced   I got hold of one and took it to bits, the cct board is or was then cobbled from somthing else to do the job and the wiring was terrible as was the soldering. I threw it away and only saved the transformer (line release) and built it to another case Its still working which is more can be said for the rest.  I tracked the originol to India but got no response from the people who made it, which was not surprising.

The hard part for me is the mechanical features.  Making probes, holder, mirror and all in a nice station. I am thinking about buying a mini mill to make parts for things like this. Crazy...I know

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi       LWS  There was a Tester/power supply designed and made by Martin Catt, it was on the net   I built one a while ago it works ok and would be a doddle for you I am sure. Have a look at thr pdf's below as they contain all the instructions. Its pretty handy.

catt_pwr-supply_01.pdf catt_pwr-supply_02.pdf catt_pwr-supply_03a.pdf catt_pwr-supply_03b.pdf

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some good ideas on the mechanical aspects for sure. 

His circuit is overkill IMO. I have not read or tested to confirm, but I would expect almost no real current drawn by a watch. Therefore the source resistance is no big deal. Using regulators to achieve 0.001 ohms source resistance is not necessary. What is important is an extremely low ESR capacitor in shunt with the watch. 

I am planning on using a shunt regulator and a resistor divider with a pot...a very simple design. At least, that is where my head is now.

Another thing I learned from the docs is the need to go all the way down to 0.8 volts.

Edited by LittleWatchShop
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There were even more simple probes, all you need imo.
Just an U-shaped wire, pointed tip on one end, 2 mm plug on the other:

Probes2.jpg.23dcb8a44da2a6f8a41617478dffc4c7.jpg

 

Usually a quartz is tested contactless, without opening the watch. A piezo receives its 32 kHz vibrations, processed by a narrow band (quartz filter) amplifier.

Frank

Edited by praezis
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
On 9/7/2021 at 4:28 AM, Plato said:

If money were no object then I'd buy a suite of Witschi equipment.

However, the closest I can afford is what I picked up on ebay a few years ago. A Portescap 5007. It has three probes so one for +V, one for gnd and the other to take measurements. I just had to make some leads for my PSU and scope. Under £30 including the connectors:

IMG_0004.thumb.JPG.b8b40bb89a5d53248b02fa68997846f1.JPGIMG_0005.thumb.JPG.665f5047b5f915ce9a41264073a05549.JPGIMG_0006.thumb.JPG.7ebebc27d5a00f0300c9a07f92d79433.JPGIMG_0007.thumb.JPG.ff3444585df34c17209bc84aec3b3212.JPG

@Plato, what is the diameter of the viewing window?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Hi Thats nifty all I use is a mirror and a frame with a bit of glass on the top, maybe should inprove it now looking at yours and do a better job  .

Do you have a 3D printer?  I can post the stl files.

Alternatively maybe I could design and print one to fit your glass and mirror and swap for barrels.

Edited by LittleWatchShop
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, watchweasol said:

Hi  My Nephew has a printer and he does bits for me when I need them  thanks for the offer though.    regarding the barrels, The mougin movement, size are approx  36.5 Diameter X 25.5 depth and the width of the ring teeth is 3.5 depth I have a couple of barrels.

This is what I measured the other day while still in the movement.  Looks like what you have is a little different.

 

2022-01-24 11_56_31-french barrel.vsd - Microsoft Visio.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Strategy change.  For now, I wanted to have a variable voltage source to power watches.  This is not integrated with anything.  Just a standalone voltage source with readout.

That is a 10-turn pot, so I can make fine adjustments (though that is not necessary).

Not the best 3D print, however.  My printer has been giving me a few fits here of late.

2022-02-07 14_03_05-20220207_134759.jpg ‎- Photos.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Similar Content

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Thanks Dell. I thought about silver soldering. Have never done it but would like to give it a go. Do you think to put flux on the butted joint then run the solder in or to maybe brace it with a piece of scrap spring steel?
    • Never and others. Yes, like you I do spend a fair amount of time reading the contents of this forum. I find it better that any other. Clear, lucid, no Prima Donas, and most of all an easy access without adverts. All thanks to Mark. God bless you mate. You give so much to many of us. What if? No Mark? Hypothetically. A forum. I did run a forum for a few years. Really enjoyed it, but became so engrossed that it did affect my health. I gave to to others to run. Not been back. It was very successful and rivalled a number of large paying sites. No adverts, no others but me. I did ask and listen to members comments and it worked well.    Costs Having a domain name, £10 annually.  Register the site with a forum company, free. Build the site using the forum company guide lines, free. It looked and ran almost the same a Mark's. All the same facilities. The cost was only £5 per month, but counted visits (views). If I recall, it was that price for 5,000 views. Each extra 5,000 views increased the price by £2 per month. Success was my own personal undoing. From £5 per month initially, it rose to £60 a month and looked like increasing. This was 10 years ago. I could not afford that, and asked it anyone would like to take over and someone did. I would assume that this is the price that Mark is funding for us all. His return is our continued comments on the internet about his course, and the fact that many of the big names on YouTube mention him as their Tutor. Those of us who have done, and are still using, his course, benefit. In comparison to other courses, I can't believe how cheap it is, and the value is exceptional. It is the structure that gives the value. Long may Mark reign. Ross  
    • Hi all, total newbie to watchmaking and I've had a bit of a mishap. Just completing level 2 and was doing ok, but I was just on the last part of the reassembly of my ST3620 when the balance end stone shot across the room, just as I was trying to see if I had put the correct amount of oil between it and the balance end, aarrrgh! Been on my hands and knees combing the carpet for 20mins looking for it but to no avail. Does anybody know where I can get a replacement from and what to look for please?? Thanks.
    • Get someone local to tig it ,very easy fix and should only take a few minutes so probably wouldn’t cost much ,or failing that get it very clean and silver solder it. Dell
    • Hi, The winding pin is not split, well that's how it was when I obtained the watch. The movement is front-loaded and here's a picture of where the case screws are fitted. The face picture is before I dismantled it. Quick update.  I've always had a nylon ring sitting in the parts try that I wasn't sure where it went and left it to the last thing as I know it must be part of the case assembly. Anyway, looking at the picture in my last post you can see, just under the winding stem, a white-looking object, this is the nylon ring 🤭 So, I had to remove the dial again and replace the ring. Once this was all back together I placed the movement in the case and realized my initial problem maybe is not a problem as it looks like I can screw the movement back in the case and then place the hands as the dial is nearly flush with the outside of the case anyway so I'll be able to check for alignment. if all is good then just fit the crystal and bezel 🤔 I can't think of any issues with this approach but please comment if you think I've not thought of something. Another lesson learned as well. Take more pictures not just of the movement parts and location 😅
×
×
  • Create New...