Peter42 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 This might appear to be an odd subject here but I know that a lot of motor caravanners have radio-controlled clocks in their 'vans. I have owned one for about 3 years, and every time the clocks are put forward or back (as happened last weekend) mine seems reluctant to update. It is now 60 hours since the change and it is showing no evidence of change. I have looked at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) website (they control the atomic clock which sends out the signal) and followed their guidelines, which, basically, are to align the clock with Cumbria ( almost due North from my location), take out and replace the battery and wait. When I did so, the hands wound around to the 4o'clock position and stopped. It normally takes about 10 days or so before restarting, despite the NPL website stating it should start within minutes. Does anyone else have a similar problem? Before anyone saying that it must be a cheap import, it was bought from the Science Museum. :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 We have one for the motorhome and a small alarm clock type at home - both have always updated by next morning - they could have done it within minutes but I'm never awake at 2 a.m. to check and see! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philman Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I have one of these and it had changed to the correct time by when I got up in the morning. My one also has a 'Foreign' setting where I can set it to local time when I am abroad. I don't think it changes automatically when it is on that setting. Check to see if yours has a similar function, if so change it back to the GMT setting and it should be ok. Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Glad mine still has a winder, what a worry. *-) *-) *-) *-) *-) LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Ours work OK - suggest you consider binning it and getting a new one as they are only about a tenner in Argos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Think yours is knackered - (technical phrase) C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondo Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Clive - 2009-10-27 5:01 PM Think yours is knackered - (technical phrase) C. Does that mean it's broken Clive :D :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Clive - 2009-10-27 5:01 PM Think yours is knackered - (technical phrase) C. Thanks, Gents, it certainly seems that mine is knackered, as Clive says, but it has always been like it from new. Perhaps a visit to Argos is called for. Its good to know that they are not all alike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Of all the 'portable' clocks I have bought over the years I have always had the best and most reliable service from the 'Acctim' brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Check that its a UK type and not a continental version, my first radio controlled clock came from Aldi and turned out to be pre tuned to German time signals. Works ok but is usually a week late changing. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 davenewell@home - 2009-10-27 7:53 PM Check that its a UK type and not a continental version, my first radio controlled clock came from Aldi and turned out to be pre tuned to German time signals. Works ok but is usually a week late changing. D. I have checked and it appears to be British-manufactured but there is no indication of which signal it picks up. I cannot remember where I purchased it but it has the logo of the Science Museum. Perhaps I'll leave it until next week before I bin it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 You do have to wonder about the judgement of anyone who considers that Plymouth is the capital of Cornwall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 Tracker - 2009-10-28 12:52 PM You do have to wonder about the judgement of anyone who considers that Plymouth is the capital of Cornwall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a well-known fact that there are more Cornishmen (and women) living and working in Plymouth than in any Cornishl town or city! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 Tracker - 2009-10-28 12:52 PM You do have to wonder about the judgement of anyone who considers that Plymouth is the capital of Cornwall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a well-known fact that there are more Cornishmen (and women) living and working in Plymouth than in any Cornishl town or city! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 Tracker - 2009-10-28 12:52 PM You do have to wonder about the judgement of anyone who considers that Plymouth is the capital of Cornwall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a well-known fact that there are more Cornishmen (and women) living and working in Plymouth than in any Cornish town or city! In my book, that makes us the biggest provider of Capital in Cornwall! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 Ooops! Over active fingers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Peter42 - 2009-10-27 3:35 PM This might appear to be an odd subject here but I know that a lot of motor caravanners have radio-controlled clocks in their 'vans. I have owned one for about 3 years, and every time the clocks are put forward or back (as happened last weekend) mine seems reluctant to update. It is now 60 hours since the change and it is showing no evidence of change. I have looked at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) website (they control the atomic clock which sends out the signal) and followed their guidelines, which, basically, are to align the clock with Cumbria ( almost due North from my location), take out and replace the battery and wait. When I did so, the hands wound around to the 4o'clock position and stopped. It normally takes about 10 days or so before restarting, despite the NPL website stating it should start within minutes. Does anyone else have a similar problem? Before anyone saying that it must be a cheap import, it was bought from the Science Museum. :-( They sell Science Museum clocks at Argos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borderer Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 My son lives in Cherbourg. His radio controlled clock (cheap...from Argos?) keeps picking up the UK signel and switching back to UK time...then back to French and so on :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted November 1, 2009 Author Share Posted November 1, 2009 Just come back from a week-end Meet to find the clock has now restarted and is now 4hours 20 minutes slow ( or is it fast?). The Dustman calls on Tuesday, it gets binned tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Before you bin it - have you checked the batteries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Tayside Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Going from what you've said - had it for three years and that it eventually sets to the correct time, I'd guess that the problem is due to a weak signal being picked up. If this is the case the remedy lies in relocating the clock until it can pick up a decent signal and re-sync with NPL. We've two radio sync'd clocks at home (and a watch) and one of the clocks is very insensitive and has to be moved in order to get a decent signal. Don't have an accurate clock in the van cos when it it time doesn't matter :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Dave Tayside - 2009-11-03 12:00 AM Don't have an accurate clock in the van cos when it it time doesn't matter :-D Unless you have a ferry to catch! I never alter the base van dashboard clock when we are abroad then at least I do have a basic UK time to work to when changing countries! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dikyenfo Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Since the transmitter moved from Rugby many people have had difficulties with reception. Also mine is foreign and you have to set the correct time zone before using and there are twelve to choose from in plus time and minus time so dont give up just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 Thanks for all the replies on the subject. I have checked the batteries, relocated it from the South end of the house (downstairs) to the North of the house (upstairs) and there is no setting for altering the time or the time zone. I have followed all the advice from the National Physics Laboratory to no avail, so I will be doing a drop test shortly (Drop test into the dustbin, that is). But, again thanks for the interest everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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