Did this mod to my A178 yesterday using a bit of copper wire and a soldering pencil and yes, the spring disappeared as I was reassembling. Took a spring from a donor watch and now the countdown timer is active. Thank you for the video!
Not sure if you'll see this but thanks for this video! Recently picked up this watch as a nice daily wear, and was surprised when it didn't have a timer function. I thought that it was so simple, other newer Casio watches must have one. And through searching, I stumbled upon this. Not only was my hunch right, but this module has it too and was just arbitrarily locked out of the mode! Couple minutes later, now it has the one function I wanted added. Thanks a million!
Thank you so much! Your video gave me the confidence to try it out on my W800 and it worked like a charm. The lack of count down is the only 'miss' this watch had for my general use.
Thank you for the very informative video, i just did it today using my soldering iron. Its very cool to have this function because i use it most of the time 👍👍👍
For folks asking why features like Timer are disabled: Casio watches sometimes have timers or other features that are soldered and disabled to reduce costs by using the same hardware across different models. This allows Casio to produce a single type of circuit board that can be customized by enabling or disabling certain features through software or hardware (like solder points). Disabling certain functions through soldering can help differentiate models in terms of price, while using the same basic technology for efficiency. For example, a higher-end Casio watch might have all features enabled, while a more affordable version could have some features like the timer disabled, even though the hardware is essentially the same. This practice reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while allowing them to offer a range of products to different market segments.
Absolutely incredible. I can't believe the countdown timer isn't already available and I would have it without the spring to keep it silent. Thanks so much!
Greg, you are the master, thank you so so much. I've wanted to do this mod for so long and was thinking if the A178 that I already have could be even better. Best regards
The speaker on the back requires the 2 contacts, one being the spring on the left side there that touches the speaker itself. The other is that leaf spring on the lower right that makes a common connection. The battery holder is bent and was hitting the metal on the back and the speaker at the same time shorting it out.
Just did the mod by myself. I have several tips: 1. There is no need to remove the battery. Removing the metal encasing is enough to get into the module. 2. Use a fine tip soldering iron, the pcb may be damaged by the scrapping. 3. Yo desoldered the bridge number "0", but the other 4 also has uses. Soldering the first bridge it gives you access to 5 alarms, and the second disables Dual Time. I have no idea what the other two bridges are for.
Thanks Greg, I now learned a few more things to try if something is amiss with the rebuild. I wear my Optivisor magnifying tool when working on my watches with very bright LED LIGHT to help with tiny parts. Keep making your videos please.
So, Ian Rees has a blog covering what the different solder points do. You can enable or disable the dual time feature. I find this interesting as I absolutely HATE dual time. I'd rather just set the correct local time. Thanks for the Video! Helped a lot.
Hi Greg! Does the module of the W-800h fit inside of the A178w? It would be an awesome mod, because I always loved the look of the A178 and the module look of the W-800.
@@InspiredByActualEventsthe 201 module fit fairly well into the 178 case without objection but the 178 was a bit too big to squeeze into the 201 case. Sorry for the delay in my response.
Hi Greg! Greetings from Serbia. My Casio A178W was bought in 2009. Module number is 2519. It has completely different PCB and it has two solder balls (a kind of electrical jumpers). I am not sure that it is possible to mod my module to have countdown timer function.
Great video. Unfortunately, when I opened up my A178W, the circuit board was quite different. Actually, the entire internals were different -- the spring was in the top left corner and the battery, its back sticker and hold-down mechanism were different. There were several small solder points on my board, but none in the location or orientation yours showed. So, I had to close everything up and just keep my watch un-modded. At least it still works! I should note that the "test screen" you showed does not show "3233" on mine, but "2500" instead. I should also note that I bought this watch 12 years ago from Amazon for $17. I'm one happy customer!
It’s not surprising if Casio updated the module but, otherwise, sells this as the same watch you bought 12 years ago. That would explain all the differences you discovered.
THANKS SO MUCH. You did all the hard work and we ripped all the benefits. New on your channel. Definitely Liked & Subscribed. Question: Is that how you activate the Timer on all Casio watches? God bless.
The instruction booklet for this watch also covers the module from the F200W watch. So I would think that watch could also be modified. However, I can’t find anything online where someone specifically says they modified the F200W. So I don’t know whether to experiment with that one.
Thanks for the info here. I do not understand why Casio would limit the funtionality of any of their watches, especially the countdown timer which is incredibly helpful 🤔. Great video! 👍 ❤ ⌚
AFAIK the W800h, W96 and this one. F201 uses the same module, but has all features activated. Fun fact: you can put F201's module in this one's case. This will also allow you to see auto repeat for the timer and whether the alarms are activated.
A good thing to do if your gonna take the watch apart. A tiny bit of silicone grease on the O-Ring helps it last longer. Not that it really matters that much it is a super cheap watch.
My A178W has a different PCB and different battery holder. I could not do the trick. The foking spring fell down and I was fortunate that it stayed on my leg and didn't fall down to the floor.
2 days later, I have a watch with a countdown timer, first time ever pulling a watch apart and I had too do it about 10 times trial and error but I got it!
Did this mod to my A178 yesterday using a bit of copper wire and a soldering pencil and yes, the spring disappeared as I was reassembling. Took a spring from a donor watch and now the countdown timer is active. Thank you for the video!
Not sure if you'll see this but thanks for this video! Recently picked up this watch as a nice daily wear, and was surprised when it didn't have a timer function. I thought that it was so simple, other newer Casio watches must have one. And through searching, I stumbled upon this. Not only was my hunch right, but this module has it too and was just arbitrarily locked out of the mode! Couple minutes later, now it has the one function I wanted added.
Thanks a million!
Yup!! It worked for me. Don't know why Casio doesn't have all their watches with countdown timer. Great Every day watch.. thanks again
Thank you so much! Your video gave me the confidence to try it out on my W800 and it worked like a charm. The lack of count down is the only 'miss' this watch had for my general use.
Thank you for the very informative video, i just did it today using my soldering iron. Its very cool to have this function because i use it most of the time 👍👍👍
For folks asking why features like Timer are disabled:
Casio watches sometimes have timers or other features that are soldered and disabled to reduce costs by using the same hardware across different models. This allows Casio to produce a single type of circuit board that can be customized by enabling or disabling certain features through software or hardware (like solder points). Disabling certain functions through soldering can help differentiate models in terms of price, while using the same basic technology for efficiency.
For example, a higher-end Casio watch might have all features enabled, while a more affordable version could have some features like the timer disabled, even though the hardware is essentially the same. This practice reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while allowing them to offer a range of products to different market segments.
Absolutely incredible. I can't believe the countdown timer isn't already available and I would have it without the spring to keep it silent. Thanks so much!
No alarm also.
Greg, you are the master, thank you so so much. I've wanted to do this mod for so long and was thinking if the A178 that I already have could be even better. Best regards
The speaker on the back requires the 2 contacts, one being the spring on the left side there that touches the speaker itself. The other is that leaf spring on the lower right that makes a common connection. The battery holder is bent and was hitting the metal on the back and the speaker at the same time shorting it out.
Just did the mod by myself. I have several tips:
1. There is no need to remove the battery. Removing the metal encasing is enough to get into the module.
2. Use a fine tip soldering iron, the pcb may be damaged by the scrapping.
3. Yo desoldered the bridge number "0", but the other 4 also has uses. Soldering the first bridge it gives you access to 5 alarms, and the second disables Dual Time. I have no idea what the other two bridges are for.
Thanks Greg, I now learned a few more things to try if something is amiss with the rebuild. I wear my Optivisor magnifying tool when working on my watches with very bright LED LIGHT to help with tiny parts. Keep making your videos please.
So, Ian Rees has a blog covering what the different solder points do. You can enable or disable the dual time feature. I find this interesting as I absolutely HATE dual time. I'd rather just set the correct local time. Thanks for the Video! Helped a lot.
Hi Greg! Does the module of the W-800h fit inside of the A178w? It would be an awesome mod, because I always loved the look of the A178 and the module look of the W-800.
I was able to fit the module from an f201 into the a178 case. Saved me from the dreaded solder balls of doom.😂
@@bbishop2009 That's a great idea. Was it an easy swap? Or did you have to alter any pieces?
@@InspiredByActualEventsthe 201 module fit fairly well into the 178 case without objection but the 178 was a bit too big to squeeze into the 201 case. Sorry for the delay in my response.
Hi Greg! Greetings from Serbia. My Casio A178W was bought in 2009. Module number is 2519. It has completely different PCB and it has two solder balls (a kind of electrical jumpers). I am not sure that it is possible to mod my module to have countdown timer function.
Do you know if it is possible to do the 5 alarms mod like the W800?
it worked for me. thanks for the video. new watch now :)
Great video. Unfortunately, when I opened up my A178W, the circuit board was quite different. Actually, the entire internals were different -- the spring was in the top left corner and the battery, its back sticker and hold-down mechanism were different. There were several small solder points on my board, but none in the location or orientation yours showed. So, I had to close everything up and just keep my watch un-modded. At least it still works!
I should note that the "test screen" you showed does not show "3233" on mine, but "2500" instead.
I should also note that I bought this watch 12 years ago from Amazon for $17. I'm one happy customer!
It’s not surprising if Casio updated the module but, otherwise, sells this as the same watch you bought 12 years ago. That would explain all the differences you discovered.
THANKS SO MUCH. You did all the hard work and we ripped all the benefits. New on your channel. Definitely Liked & Subscribed. Question: Is that how you activate the Timer on all Casio watches? God bless.
How many of these watches are there that are capable of this mod?
Like a ton
The instruction booklet for this watch also covers the module from the F200W watch. So I would think that watch could also be modified. However, I can’t find anything online where someone specifically says they modified the F200W. So I don’t know whether to experiment with that one.
Thanks for the info here. I do not understand why Casio would limit the funtionality of any of their watches, especially the countdown timer which is incredibly helpful 🤔. Great video! 👍 ❤ ⌚
AFAIK the W800h, W96 and this one. F201 uses the same module, but has all features activated. Fun fact: you can put F201's module in this one's case. This will also allow you to see auto repeat for the timer and whether the alarms are activated.
Wow i would love to see if this would work on one of your g shock 910's.. Imagine a countdown timer with the time memo function aaahh what a dream
Will this technique work on F91 W ? ❤ Good video.
Thank you very much! really nice! I´ll try on mine .Any way to increase the alarm sounds or chimes...? thank´s
Thank you so much! I was about to buy a soldering iron for this. Pocket knife did the trick ;)
Why the reason to disable count down in this model by Casio company?! Thank you very much that's was so useful .u are great
Watching you scratching electronic circuit board 😳😱😠 was terrifying.
I wish there was a way to make the beep louder for this particular model. I think it has the weakest beep of all the vintage Casio's.
Phantastic !
WOW... Do you now if this is possible on a Casio F105w???
I own this watch. Hope i will do it some day.
A good thing to do if your gonna take the watch apart. A tiny bit of silicone grease on the O-Ring helps it last longer. Not that it really matters that much it is a super cheap watch.
Using a film of lightweight grease also adds the benefit of the seal not wandering around as you replace the cover and tighten the screws.
the battery is MADE IN INDONESIA?
Hi Greg please help mine is stuck on 0:00 and I do not know what to do
Cool bruh
Neat mod! I’ll be working on mine.
BTW do you know any Casio that has 3 countdown timers? I need it for my job.
I use a GRB-100 at work. It has five alarms and they can show as countdowns in the LCD window.
My wet dream:
Current time (mod) in every mode in every Casio (with appropiate lay-out display).
My A178W has a different PCB and different battery holder. I could not do the trick. The foking spring fell down and I was fortunate that it stayed on my leg and didn't fall down to the floor.
btw. my A178W was bought 15 years ago.
I gotta go get another one and try it, I want a count down timer for no reason other than it’s cool
2 days later, I have a watch with a countdown timer, first time ever pulling a watch apart and I had too do it about 10 times trial and error but I got it!
Greg buddy you should mod these watches and sell it