Seiko SBPG001 odd behavior

LJUSMC · Jan 22, 2015

Hey guys,

I started a thread on this in the public forum, but I thought I might have some better luck here on the Seiko/Citizen forum.

The battery charge level indicator on my Seiko SBPG001 is acting funny. The battery indicator has 3 blocks (Low,Med,High). When I take the watch off my arm and place it in my window, the charge indicator drops to "Medium" within a few minutes and stays that way. But, oddly, when I put the watch on, after a few minutes it jumps back up to "High" and will stay that way as long as I'm wearing it.

This is even when I'm inside a dark or poorly lit room, so I know it doesn't have anything to do with me going out in the sunlight.

I know that battery charge level indicators on watches is more of a novelty and doesn't always reflect the actual charge level of the watch, and since the watch is functioning flawlessly, I'm genuinely not concerned about it. But, I am curious if there is a technical explanation for why this would occur?

Here is a pic of a Seiko SBPG001 to show you what watch I'm referring to. This pic was shamelessly lifted from Google, and I do not take credit for it.

I did an "all reset" on the watch as an experiment, but it didn't change anything. At 12:49AM I did the reboot procedure, and then re-set the time/date, etc. At 12:51AM, I set it on the sofa beside me to see if the battery indicator dropped. At 12:53, I noticed that it was at 2/3, so I put it back on my arm. Two minutes later, at 12:55, it's at 3/3. VERY STRANGE!

Any ideas? The watch is working perfectly, I'm just curious as to why the battery seems to get more charge once I start wearing it. I have owned 2 prior SBPG001's and neither did this.

Thanks for any input.

xevious · Mar 2, 2015

Strange, no replies on this. That's very odd to me. Maybe something to do with the cold, and the warmth of your wrist brings it back to normal function? Are you in a low temperature environment?

mcnabbanov · Mar 2, 2015

not many people here have this watch I imagine. I've got a few solar watches with indicators, not this model or seiko even, but none of them have had this problem. Like you said I wouldn't be too worried about it. Could very well be the winter weather, batteries don't really like the cold, so you might be onto something with your body heat

carpoon · Mar 3, 2015

I've never seen the inside of the Seiko digitalis, but on most other digitalis when you open the back there is an AC reset point that you short with a paper clip or tweezers between that point and the battery. This usually fixes any unusual problems.

LJUSMC · Mar 3, 2015

xevious said:
Strange, no replies on this. That's very odd to me. Maybe something to do with the cold, and the warmth of your wrist brings it back to normal function? Are you in a low temperature environment?

Well I was going to update the thread, but since there were no replies, I didn't see the point.

But, now that it's gathered some interest, I'm happy to report that the watch started working normally. I guess the battery was just between charge levels, and something having to do with my body temperature was bringing it up. I ended up leaving it in a window for several days, and the battery never dropped below full after that.

But, it doesn't matter anymore, because I sold it. Typical WIS.. LOL

xevious · Mar 4, 2015

carpoon said:
I've never seen the inside of the Seiko digitalis, but on most other digitalis when you open the back there is an AC reset point that you short with a paper clip or tweezers between that point and the battery. This usually fixes any unusual problems.

Actually, the manual says to hold the A, C, and D buttons simultaneously and it'll cause an IC reset. So no need to take off the back and try an AC reset (which may actually not even exist, because that's a CASIO convention).

Ouylle · Mar 18, 2015

I just bought this watch, received it with two bars, left it for about 10-15 hours under bright sun on my balcony over a few days and nothing changed. Stuck at two bars. The previous owner never saw the third bar either. I guess all I can do is mourn this damn third bar and enjoy this very nice watch whatsoever.

Did any owner finally found a way to solve this issue, without returning the piece to Japan (which, from Switzerland, would eventually cost more than the watch itself)?

I like it very much (comfort, style, functions) but feel a bit stuck and underwhelmed with my slightly crippled example.

BTW, it syncs nicely to GE77 from Geneva, both manually and automatically.

Topher1556 · Mar 18, 2015

I would have originally said to the OP that possibly the temperature change was causing a difference in the power needed for the watch. But glad to know it sorted itself out.

Ouylle said:
I just bought this watch, received it with two bars, left it for about 10-15 hours under bright sun on my balcony over a few days and nothing changed. Stuck at two bars. The previous owner never saw the third bar either. I guess all I can do is mourn this damn third bar and enjoy this very nice watch whatsoever.

Did any owner finally found a way to solve this issue, without returning the piece to Japan (which, from Switzerland, would eventually cost more than the watch itself)?

I like it very much (comfort, style, functions) but feel a bit stuck and underwhelmed with my slightly crippled example.

BTW, it syncs nicely to GE77 from Geneva, both manually and automatically.

I'd guess there's nothing wrong with your watch. You need to allow it more time to charge. It can take multiple days in full sun to completely charge.

xevious · Mar 28, 2015

I have a feeling that the used SBPG001 that I bought suffered a deep discharge at some point that compromised the battery. While it will get to 3 bars after soaking in direct sunlight for a few hours, about 15~30 mins after being removed from the sunlight it drops back to 2 bars. It'll stay on 2 bars just fine... although it's not what I'd call "solid" power. Also, when the watch is warm the back light causes just a little LCD segment washout when looking at it directly head-on, but if the watch is cold (e.g. sat next to a chilly window), pressing the back light causes the digits to almost fade out completely. So there's definitely a sensitivity to temperature (something CITIZEN and CASIO seem to withstand much better), somewhat supporting what was stated by the OP.

Incidentally, does anyone know how to remove the backing on this watch? I've examined the press-fit backing and can't determine where the "leverage" slit would be. Because nobody has responded to my inquiries about the correct battery (which the owner's manual doesn't state either), I figured the next best step is to open the thing... if I can just figure out how in a way that won't cause any scratches or dings.

Ouylle · Mar 29, 2015

Hi Guys ! Many thanks for the feedbacks ! I've an update: eventually, as it was under full bright sun last weekend, I saw it reach the third bar. First cloud: back to the second. Weather has been cloudy lastly in Geneva ever since so... stuck to second bar. It's been charging for 2 weeks now.

BUT: there is obviously hope ! Summer is coming with higher temperatures and a brighter sun. In the meantime, I still have my new GW-5000 to enjoy (which seemingly switched to DST this night, while sitting on my wrist, and never dropped it's battery indicator below H)... and about 30 mechanicals to keep busy with. How could I not keep smiling ?

Best to all !

Ouylle · Apr 25, 2015

Following on the last two posts, leaving the watch for three full weeks under bright sunlight finally got the battery indicator to three bars AND remain there for more than 5 minutes ! Actually for an hour now ! YEAHHH !

Ottovonn · Apr 25, 2015

Ouylle said:
Following on the last two posts, leaving the watch for three full weeks under bright sunlight finally got the battery indicator to three bars AND remain there for more than 5 minutes ! Actually for an hour now ! YEAHHH !

lol

I wonder if this is a recurring issue with this watch. I just gone one from another member a few days ago. It's been stuck on the second bar for a while. It's really sunny today, so I left it on the window sill for an hour. The battery indicator reached 3 bars then dropped back to two shortly after. I'll leave it there for the whole day and hope that mine reaches full charge.

Ouylle · May 15, 2015

Ottovonn said:
I'll leave it there for the whole day and hope that mine reaches full charge.

If it behaves the same way mine did, you'll need way more than one sunny day. Rather 20. However, my watch is now stuck on three bars and has remained there, although it didn't see much sunlight lately.

Seiko SBPG001 odd behavior

LJUSMC

xevious

mcnabbanov

carpoon

LJUSMC

xevious

Ouylle

Topher1556

xevious

Ouylle

Ouylle

Ottovonn

Ouylle

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