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I believe Hanno (from Germany) owns that site so it maybe him who approves the membership. His screen-name is SASM. It may take alittle time as he doesn't post alot either.
Bulova Computron N7 (229 module) - Setting Question
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Another good guess, except that when cycling through the time (outside of setting mode), it will display time (one press) and date (second press) -- There's no third screen to indicate other time zones, and in the month-setting, where this mysterious number is, you have to cycle through ALL months to make it rise, which would mean dozens of presses to switch between time zones, not to mention that the month would have no effect on the time zone!
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Are ''dozens of presses'' the ONLY way to cycle through?
On my kitchen timer, I could set it from 0 to 45 minutes by pressing the minute button 45 times, OR I can press down the minute button and keep it pressed down while the times automatically cycles through the minutes, and doesn't stop until I let go of the button.
And I remember having LED watches where the numbers advance themselves automatically all the while that the RESET button is depressed.
.....................................................**It was just a thought**
On my kitchen timer, I could set it from 0 to 45 minutes by pressing the minute button 45 times, OR I can press down the minute button and keep it pressed down while the times automatically cycles through the minutes, and doesn't stop until I let go of the button.
And I remember having LED watches where the numbers advance themselves automatically all the while that the RESET button is depressed.
.....................................................**It was just a thought**
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I will only throw in two observations.
1. Just because that 1-5 digit deal is lit up and cycling when you are flipping through the months "Doesn't' mean its suppose to actually be there. I have owned 20+ LED watches and I have had some very weird digits light up when they weren't suppose to. I was able to confirm the oddities through good instructions with Pulsar and also I had another watch just like it for comparison, which leads me to #2.
2. In this thread Khatfull appears to have purchased a N7 Computron. Khatfull Computron Linkl. If in fact he was able to set his without issue as he claims and its the same 6 digit 254 module, why not ask him on that thread or PM him and ask him if that 1-5 digit deal is on his watch while setting it. If its on both his and your 254 modules then its meant to do something? Right? But if its not then it may be a module 'error issue'?
1. Just because that 1-5 digit deal is lit up and cycling when you are flipping through the months "Doesn't' mean its suppose to actually be there. I have owned 20+ LED watches and I have had some very weird digits light up when they weren't suppose to. I was able to confirm the oddities through good instructions with Pulsar and also I had another watch just like it for comparison, which leads me to #2.
2. In this thread Khatfull appears to have purchased a N7 Computron. Khatfull Computron Linkl. If in fact he was able to set his without issue as he claims and its the same 6 digit 254 module, why not ask him on that thread or PM him and ask him if that 1-5 digit deal is on his watch while setting it. If its on both his and your 254 modules then its meant to do something? Right? But if its not then it may be a module 'error issue'?
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This is a copy/paste from a computron single button listing that came up on ebay: "This is the single button six digit version with perpetual calendar that compensates for leap year. Pushing once displays the time and two rapid pushes displays the date. Seconds are displayed with the hours and minutes simultaneously. To display the seconds for an extended time, the pusher is held in on the first push. The display automatically shuts off when the pusher is released. Five consecutive pushes on the pusher enables the setting mode for time and date."
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Ooh I think I get the prize!
Will you do the test I suggested? (I don't understand why 5 instead of 4 but maybe you'll break the code if you test it!)
Will you do the test I suggested? (I don't understand why 5 instead of 4 but maybe you'll break the code if you test it!)
Wow! What detective work. Perpetual calendar! It’s wild that there’s no documentation of this sophisticated function. I mean, I can’t even find any kind of N7/254 manual or technical docs!
I don’t know if I have the patience to do the “test”, but how could I even guess which year in the leap year cycle it is if it goes up to five??? This is starting to remind me of Spinal Tap!!
I don’t know if I have the patience to do the “test”, but how could I even guess which year in the leap year cycle it is if it goes up to five??? This is starting to remind me of Spinal Tap!!
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That's the point, we don't know! But if you set it to 11:59pm on 2/28 #1 and 2/28 #2 and 2/28 #3 and #4 and #5, and then wait and see what date comes next, you will have data that might help us understand the function.
Then you might want to see what comes after 12/31 #1 through 12/31 #5? Maybe you will find it has a 4-year cycle that makes sense. Or maybe you will find a deeper mystery, or just despair! Who knows?
If you collect all the data I think we can reverse-engineer the function of it. (This is what some of my friends call a "geek trap")
Then you might want to see what comes after 12/31 #1 through 12/31 #5? Maybe you will find it has a 4-year cycle that makes sense. Or maybe you will find a deeper mystery, or just despair! Who knows?
If you collect all the data I think we can reverse-engineer the function of it. (This is what some of my friends call a "geek trap")
Major update!
I contacted this seller, who has had some prolific sales of LED watches recently, and they got back to me!
Copied below is her answer to our quandary:
Well, I think I finally have an answer for you, about your Bulova! ..Well, sort of.. I contacted a guy who is VERY well known in the watch collecting community, and he says your extra digit IS a leap-year function, BUT, that yours must have some sort of internal 'glitch', that's causing it to count up to 5, rather than ending at 4. BUT, as long as it's working okay otherwise, and keeping time, I think the general consensus was that you should probably just leave it alone. Anyway, his replies (both of them) were rather lengthy, but here they are::
"I have two of these and always thought, from memory, that it was a leap year setting where 4 = the leap year. That way the watch can keep track of February 29th leap year.
Now i have to dig the watches out, add batteries and see what mine do. I am thinking it is a leap year function and your friends is becoming geriatric (aging electronics and corrupted ROM).
I will get back to you on this. Also surprising is the lack of internet information on the caliber!
Geoff"
And:
"Yes, i was correct, leap year function leading me to suspect that your module is suffering age related electronic failure.
Just to make sure, 5 pushes to get into set mode. When you get to month display cycle through twelve months to get the digit to turn over by one, cycle again for the next digit and so forth until you reach leap year 4 then it should start at one again as mine do.
Pull batteries and short the contacts with some tweezers then re-insert and set the watch again, does the error repeat?
In conclusion if the reset battery change short procedure does not rectify the error then the error is in the PCA. This may be due to age or faulty PCA from the factory.
As long as it keeps time who cares!
Geoff"
So, there 'ya go...that's the best info I have been able to get, is that it IS a leap-year indicator, but for some goofy reason, YOUR watch is counting to 5, rather than 1-4. But, ohh, well, at least it works...LOL.
I am absolutely boggled that we'd be looking at a "bug" or "corruption" on this, especially since the watch functions so perfectly otherwise, but there you have it -- I guess programming these things back in 1977 wasn't an exact science and sometimes an "additional digit" (or in this case, an additional YEAR) found its way in? Feels like I have a very special, unique Computron on my hands, one that, in its own way, gives me a little extra time!!!
I contacted this seller, who has had some prolific sales of LED watches recently, and they got back to me!
Copied below is her answer to our quandary:
Well, I think I finally have an answer for you, about your Bulova! ..Well, sort of.. I contacted a guy who is VERY well known in the watch collecting community, and he says your extra digit IS a leap-year function, BUT, that yours must have some sort of internal 'glitch', that's causing it to count up to 5, rather than ending at 4. BUT, as long as it's working okay otherwise, and keeping time, I think the general consensus was that you should probably just leave it alone. Anyway, his replies (both of them) were rather lengthy, but here they are::
"I have two of these and always thought, from memory, that it was a leap year setting where 4 = the leap year. That way the watch can keep track of February 29th leap year.
Now i have to dig the watches out, add batteries and see what mine do. I am thinking it is a leap year function and your friends is becoming geriatric (aging electronics and corrupted ROM).
I will get back to you on this. Also surprising is the lack of internet information on the caliber!
Geoff"
And:
"Yes, i was correct, leap year function leading me to suspect that your module is suffering age related electronic failure.
Just to make sure, 5 pushes to get into set mode. When you get to month display cycle through twelve months to get the digit to turn over by one, cycle again for the next digit and so forth until you reach leap year 4 then it should start at one again as mine do.
Pull batteries and short the contacts with some tweezers then re-insert and set the watch again, does the error repeat?
In conclusion if the reset battery change short procedure does not rectify the error then the error is in the PCA. This may be due to age or faulty PCA from the factory.
As long as it keeps time who cares!
Geoff"
So, there 'ya go...that's the best info I have been able to get, is that it IS a leap-year indicator, but for some goofy reason, YOUR watch is counting to 5, rather than 1-4. But, ohh, well, at least it works...LOL.
I am absolutely boggled that we'd be looking at a "bug" or "corruption" on this, especially since the watch functions so perfectly otherwise, but there you have it -- I guess programming these things back in 1977 wasn't an exact science and sometimes an "additional digit" (or in this case, an additional YEAR) found its way in? Feels like I have a very special, unique Computron on my hands, one that, in its own way, gives me a little extra time!!!
Little update, one of the eBay sellers sent me a copy of the 254 manual! Attached!
![Wood Grey Font Rectangle Pattern]()
![Font Paper Signage Document Circle]()
![Font Parallel Rectangle Publication Paper product]()
![Font Parallel Paper Document Typesetting]()
![Font Rectangle Parallel Number Typesetting]()
It's being weird for me.
Maybe someone else can figure out how to embed them as images or upload the attachments?
Here's an Imgur link
Maybe someone else can figure out how to embed them as images or upload the attachments?
Here's an Imgur link
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It's already fixed....
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