Over built boat anchor alarm clock

[josephdaniel]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I don't really know where else this would fit...

Does anyone know of any manufactures that made a LED alarm clock that was really over built and used allot of discrete components and not very many IC's?

[josephdaniel]

Well, I am probably just gonna buy an old Heathkit and find the manual and rebuild the thing! I have always wanted one and even though the model i'm looking at won't have a radio but I think I will be fine :P after all I do have a huge stereo system that I spent over $300.00 completely rebuilding!

[Tim R.]

GE had some really interesting stuff back in the 1970s, featuring Nixie-like VFD tubes, solid construction, and largely discrete components. Most of these came in the form of clock radios, but I do know of at least one early-70s model that was a standalone clock, built almost to military spec, and fits the bill almost perfectly. Only catch is they are pretty rare and expensive...

Westclox was an early pioneer in digital timekeeping, and I own several of their early digital clocks. They were made in the USA, although not built quite like tanks. They are very simple electronically, and all of mine still work fine. These turn up on eBay occasionally, sometimes NOS, and rarely go for more than $30.

I'll try and dig up model numbers, etc. for you when I get home.

Hope this could be of some help!


-Tim

[Tim R.]

Or you could go the "fake digital" route with one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKV0YRwCggc

Also a GE clock, this uses the Telechron Digitel (sic) movement to mimic a digital clock. A mechanical drivetrain opens and closes a series of shutters to form the different digits. These were made in the USA in the mid-70s and are quite solidly built.

I own two of them and both work. One sat in a guest bedroom plugged in for 30 years, and it still operates like new. Model 8138. They turn up every now and then on eBay, commonly as part of a Japanese clock radio.

[Tim R.]

Westclox' first digital clock, the Big Ben Solid State:

http://clockhistory.com/0/westclox/s...tyle-42-1.html

I have two of these, an early and a later example. At some point there was a revision that changed the layout of the controls. The website only shows the early type.

Westclox also made digital versions of the Dunmar model and some others, essentially sticking digital components in the cases of their anolog clock models.


GE introduced the C4390A digital clock radio in 1971, followed by the C4360A in 1974. These are the VFD clock radios I mentioned earlier. They are very similar, with a different control layout being the defining feature between the models. I believe some of the early ones were made in the USA, but manufacturing shifted to Singapore fairly early on.

Here's some info on a C4630A:

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/general..._e_7_4690.html

A C4390A:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...neral-16664831

I can't remember the clock-only model's number, and a Google search didn't turn anything up. I do remember there being a detailed article on it somewhere, though.


-Tim

I don't remember the model of the clock-onl;u

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by Tim R.

Or you could go the "fake digital" route with one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKV0YRwCggc

Also a GE clock, this uses the Telechron Digitel (sic) movement to mimic a digital clock. A mechanical drivetrain opens and closes a series of shutters to form the different digits. These were made in the USA in the mid-70s and are quite solidly built.

I own two of them and both work. One sat in a guest bedroom plugged in for 30 years, and it still operates like new. Model 8138. They turn up every now and then on eBay, commonly as part of a Japanese clock radio.

Man, I've got to get me one of those.

[Tim R.]

Originally Posted by KV-1926R

Man, I've got to get me one of those.

Here you go:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221245790309...84.m1423.l2649

[Jon A.]

Thanks. That would make a nice replacement for my so-called RCA clock radio, purchased at China-Mart. Hopefully the seller is willing to ship to me, and First-Class. I just lifted up said clock radio to check underneath; sure enough, "Made in China". It was 2008, I didn't know any better.

Got it, yay. Now if only someone would be willing to forward the other item I want. May have to take it outside this forum.

[Tim R.]

Originally Posted by KV-1926R

Thanks. That would make a nice replacement for my so-called RCA clock radio, purchased at China-Mart. Hopefully the seller is willing to ship to me, and First-Class. I just lifted up said clock radio to check underneath; sure enough, "Made in China". It was 2008, I didn't know any better.

Got it, yay. Now if only someone would be willing to forward the other item I want. May have to take it outside this forum.

Awesome! There was one listed for $250 recently on eBay. No one bid, I wonder why...

These clocks are really cool, especially when the digits morph. Almost hypnotic. And because the display is backlit by a pilot light, you can change the color of the digits. I replaced mine with a blue LED and it looks sweet.

If you need any parts, I have a spare mechanism and I've taken one of these apart before (not a project for the faint of heart....)


-Tim

[Tim R.]

Also, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bl5kSr8C3Q

This is absolutely fascinating. A digital clock made entirely of Dekatrons and Nixie tubes, no IC's involved. You can actually see how the time is derived from the power line frequency.

I plan to build one of these someday, doesn't seem like it would be too challenging...

[Jon A.]

$250, geez. Thanks for the offer, duly noted.

Ahhh, I was wondering what to do about the light color, if anything, aside from adding some kind of lens. I assumed those lights ran at line voltage. I didn't spot a transformer in the video.

Edit: simultaneous post, almost. I saw yours pop up when I submitted mine. Must check out that other clock now...

Edit 2: Whoa, that's the craziest clock I've ever seen (I mean that in a good way). Yes, I see what you're saying. The Dekatron clock requires the 60 Hz pulse of our line voltage. Wouldn't work in the U.K. of course.

[Tim R.]

Originally Posted by KV-1926R

$250, geez. Thanks for the offer, duly noted.

Ahhh, I was wondering what to do about the light color, if anything, aside from adding some kind of lens. I assumed those lights ran at line voltage. I didn't spot a transformer in the video.

The bulb is a regular 6.3v pilot light, if I remember rightly. This clock is truly overbuilt, as the pilot lights not only have their own transformer, but it's also tapped for the bright/dim switch. You probably didn't see it as the transformer is mounted inside the case.


-Tim

[Jon A.]

Now to overbuild it even further, by adding LEDs of multiple colors and some kind of internal switch to select each. Don't want to put any holes in the case.

[Tim R.]

You could even take it a step further and get a couple of these:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...nging-led/778/

Heck, I think I might just do that...

[Jon A.]

Now THAT's a novel idea!