Outdoor Clock

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 2:47 pm     Post subject: Outdoor Clock

Hey folks, here's the deal. I want to make a big ole' clock on a concrete block wall. I want to use an atomic movement (#10171) and 17" hands (#66764) I'll figure out later what to do about the numerals. I plan to have this mounted, without any protective covering on the wall. It gets pretty hot here, usually ranging between 105 and 120 in the summer and sometime very windy. Will this setup work?

I had purchased a 24" atomic clock at Sam's Club which failed after a little over one month.

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:57 pm     Post subject:

To be honest, something to this nature has not been tested before. Movements are generally specified for interior use (although we do sell an exterior cover for our standard quartz movements). I admit that I am quite intrigued by the idea. The 10171 has a maximum dial thickness requirement of 1/4" - - so the concrete will have to be relatively thin. However, I am certain you have already accounted for this. At any rate, please feel free to check back within the forum. I will be seeing if our engineering department can offer any additional information in regard to movement operation temperatures.

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:11 pm     Post subject: I'm going to give it a try

Actually, I was going to mount the movement directly onto the concrete block with some sort of minimal thickness plastic or metal dial "face" of 6" - 8" in diameter to hide the movement. I'll look for your weatherproof cover and add that to my list. If it all works, I'll forward photos.

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:32 pm     Post subject:

O.K. so after reading about the atomic movements, the face will be plastic, not metal. My question is about the exterior cover. I can;t find it on your site. I'm ready to order and I need to have that too.

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:30 pm     Post subject:

I have heard back from our engineers, and there are some concerns.

In regard to temperature, the clock may not be able to receive radio signals when the temp is above 100F. In contrast, the clock mechanism should still function “OK” under temperatures as high as 120F. The electronics may temporarily detune at 100F+, however they would return to normal operating status once the temperature cooled. In the meantime, this should not affect functionality of the clock itself... as it would only affect the ability to receive radio signals (and would occur only during the hottest portions of the day). Since any RC movement/clock receives signals best in the night time hours - - I do not think this would be a major concern to you (as the movement would have a chance to self adjust to coordinated universal time every evening - pending signal reception strength in your area). Remember - when the movement is not busy looking to receive the signal, it is working like a normal Quartz clock.

The other concern involves the hands in relation to the effects of wind in your area. The 17" hand is only recommended for a "still air" environment. I am told that even a closely located oscillating fan can affect 17” hands (stalling the movement or slipping the setting mechanism). In English (rather than engineering) this means that wind could affect the hands so that the movement will not know where the hand location is positioned at (especially important when the movement receives the signal). As a side note - remember that you must initially calibrate the movement to identify the position of the hands to the nearest hour of actual time.

The end result would be an eventual incorrect time display (even when the movement is properly receiving the radio signal). They suggest that a smaller balanced hand (10" or less) would probably fair better, but they do not recommend the 17". As a side suggestion, it may be possible to encase the dial/hand portion with Plexiglas/glass/wood/etc, which may provide a more stable environment for the hands to operate within.

The cover I reffered to is only sized for our standard Q80 quartz movements (movement ex: #10002). Unfortunately, there is not a cover for the RC movements. Being that timekeeping should not be effected by hot temperatures (as mentioned previously), this should not be an issue. You should not have a problem if the movement is exposed. You may even be able to set up your clock so that the clock face provides "shade" for the movement during the hotter portions of the day.

And yes - - the clock face can not be metal (which would hamper signal reception).

I hope I was able to help. Best of luck...

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:39 pm     Post subject:

In addition, it should also be noted (as a general rule of thumb) that our engineers do NOT recommend exterior movement use. Because of this, please understand that exterior use may void the movement warranty.

I apologize that this was a separate post, however I wanted to make certain I drew your attention to it (as it does bear importance if the movement should happen to fail as a result of the elements - particularly rain). After all - - monsoons may very well be a concern also.

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:11 pm     Post subject:

Chris - Thanks for all the information. I have digested most of it and, since I already placed the order, I'm going to give it a try. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" someone once said. If it doesn't work "open air" I can always scale back the hands then enclose the whole thing. I just love tinkering around.

Ralph