I doubt WD-40 would help, as the noise is not coming from friction between moving parts. If memory serves, the black plunger caps are simply pressed on to two vertical posts. Those posts are connected to a plastic connecting rocker arm that pivots in the center. (I know it’s a bad description. Imagine a see-saw where the two vertical posts are the riders.) I’m guessing the mechanism itself is prone to noise, and there is nothing in the case of the clock to serve as soundproofing.
But I hasten to add that I am the very last person who should talk about anything mechanical.
I saw one Game Time II clock which had a thin silicone rubber ring put around the base of the plungers to stop the clicking of the plastic button. Most of the noise problem comes from the action of the internal rocker arm and varies from clock to clock. I have a Game Time I which is very noisy. A similar Game Time II clock barely makes noise at all; there seems to be a smoother action in the way the parts come in contact.
The DGT’s seem to have a quieter “thunk” sound. The Saitek Pro has a similar quieter thunk when you press the buttons. Almost all of the old analog clocks had a pronounced “click” from metal on plastic or wood contact. The Pal Benko clock had thin rubber washers at the bottom of the plunger buttons and was quieter than the other analog clocks. Of course, the ticking of the clocks used to cover sound of the clicking of buttons. I still remember the soothing, rhythmic sussuration of the ticking of the old clocks. It was a white noise that almost put you to sleep. In modern tournaments with silent digital clocks, other ambient noises, like buzzing phones and people eating potato chips, stick out.
The ZmartPro does not have the lighting problem. Roberto did a great job. large displays, easy to program, and it only uses 3 AA batteries. The metal case helps too.
As for my clock I am working on…I have a feeling that if I post anything the message might get pulled as advertising.
