Speedy clocks - why?

[Jan Panteltje]

Seventies? Does it have the "digital" flip card display? Those things
are probably worth money as collector's items.

Nope, had some like that in my shop
This one has just the normal hands, and a buzzer (piece of metal against
the coil) as alarm.
Round and round it goes.
All plastic inside.
It says: 'Made in Germany'

 

[Tom Del Rosso]

You are looking at the output of a DC to AC converter?

Well, I thought of maybe the computer's UPS being responsible, but could
the output feed back to the input line that much? The output shouldn't
even be converted while line power is present. I haven't tried it with
both UPS's unplugged though.

Maybe the inverter is always active, and since it has a 3-winding
transformer coupling it to the line, the output shows up there. But the
line should have a much lower impedance than the transformer, so could
it be powerful enough to do that?

 

[Tim Hubberstey]

I wonder if anyone still has that kind of clock. I know we don't have
any in our house.

Are you sure? Almost all of those 24-hour light timers use synchronous
motors. Same with older appliance cycle timers (dishwashers, dryers, etc.).

If I didn't still have one (my stove), I would probably get one. They're
a great way to answer the question: "How long was that damn power failure"?

 

[Tom Del Rosso]

See s.e.d.

He meant to say a.b.s.e.

 

[Jan Panteltje]

Well, I thought of maybe the computer's UPS being responsible, but could
the output feed back to the input line that much? The output shouldn't
even be converted while line power is present. I haven't tried it with
both UPS's unplugged though.

Maybe the inverter is always active, and since it has a 3-winding
transformer coupling it to the line, the output shows up there. But the
line should have a much lower impedance than the transformer, so could
it be powerful enough to do that?

Dunno, but it cannot be much else I think.
Scope a mains socket, and then you know.
I think the converter will not be in 'parallel' with the net.
JP

 

[Tom Del Rosso]

If I didn't still have one (my stove), I would probably get one.
They're
a great way to answer the question: "How long was that damn power
failure"?

And they're good for solar motors. It's easy if you get a recent unit
with a plastic output pinion, which fits onto the pager motor. The old
ones have thin metal gears stacked to make a pinion, and they don't fit
the pager motor, so you have to find a gear from somewhere else.

http://www.solarbotics.com/resources/static/misc/otu.php

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

Are you sure? Almost all of those 24-hour light timers use synchronous
motors. Same with older appliance cycle timers (dishwashers, dryers, etc.).

Sure, there's the garden light timer, and the washer, maybe the dryer
(though I think it's electronic.. I don't think the knob moves- I
always have it set to sensor switch-off) and several other small
timers for accent lights, but I don't think I'd notice 10 minutes on
any of them.. they are not really clocks..

If I didn't still have one (my stove), I would probably get one. They're
a great way to answer the question: "How long was that damn power failure"?

Whereas the electronic ones only answer (at best) "How long since that
damn power failure"?

There's probably an active market for the old clocks such as the one
that John Larkin has- a whole group of (presumably) young people seem
to be buying up the ugly squarish furniture (teak, anyone?) and stuff
that I remember seeing as a kid, just as they did the art deco stuff.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[John Larkin]

He meant to say a.b.s.e.

Um, right.

Note the red/white powerfail indicator. To clear the flag, you tilt
the clock.

John

 

[John Larkin]

Sure, there's the garden light timer, and the washer, maybe the dryer
(though I think it's electronic.. I don't think the knob moves- I
always have it set to sensor switch-off) and several other small
timers for accent lights, but I don't think I'd notice 10 minutes on
any of them.. they are not really clocks..


Whereas the electronic ones only answer (at best) "How long since that
damn power failure"?

There's probably an active market for the old clocks such as the one
that John Larkin has- a whole group of (presumably) young people seem
to be buying up the ugly squarish furniture (teak, anyone?) and stuff
that I remember seeing as a kid, just as they did the art deco stuff.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

There's a trend to decorate in the hideous 1950-1960 style
swirl-formica dinette set mode. Ugh.

John

 

[Ken Taylor]

I don't know why it should, any more than what goes on in France should
indicate the state of affairs in Germany.

Besides, we can't annex Canada till we're done in Iraq.

-- Mike --

The worst of working to a schedule.

Ken