Back in 2006, I got a Graymark Binary clock kit for Christmas. I actually finished it about 2 weeks ago (finaly!). It took forever because the instructions were missing. There was a lot of stuff I could do without the instructions, but I eventually got to a point where I couldn't go any farther and It just sat on the desk for months before I finally remembered to call Graymark and ask them to send me a manual.
Once I got the instructions, it was all smooth sailing from there (sort of). I was able to put all the chips in the right way, but alas, It wouldn't work. After realizing that I had the voltage regulator backwards, two LEDs lit up. from there I had to figure out why the LEDs weren't blinking. I got out the oscilloscope and began to look through the manual for where the clock pulse output was. after I found it, I found a break in the trace. I put a blob of solder on that and the LEDs started to blink. Well, not really. They actually turned off after a second. This was obviously a signal that I got something to work but had other problems. Oops! I put all, except for two, of the LEDs in backwards. Darn. If you ever get one of these clocks, make sure that all the LEDs are in the right way! I had to flip 16 of them around. The traces on the circuit board are thin so I had several traces come loose at the solder pads. Not a big problem in most cases, but Some of the LEDs were a bit loose after that.
I also had to put a heatsink on the voltage regulator because it seemed to get hot and it smelled kind of burnt inside the case after I took it out after a 2 day test run.
Right now I have to work out how to make the thing keep time accurately. I has gained 16 minutes in the week and a half I have had it on and it gained 6 minutes last night. This morning I sat in bed watching it flash through 10 seconds in about 5 seconds repeatedly. Sometimes it would speed up and then it would go back to normal.
Oh, well. Its fun to watch it blink at night.
Maybe I'll have to make a crystal oscillator for it.
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4 comments:
I was lucky enough to get one of these, do you happen to still have the instructions?
Josh,
I made one of these for my mother 30 years ago. But it's gone now. Is there any chance you'd sell me yours?
Greg
I bought one of these off eBay. But now it quit working. Would you please scan the instructions?
Josh hello, I just got one of these clocks. I am looking for the manual and schematic for the Graymark clock! I am willing to pay for printing and postage. I like to keep manuals with my collection. I have had mine now for about 2 weeks. It was keeping good time until I put it next to my TV. It gained 7 minutes during Men In Black the movie. It is only when the TV is on. I will look into it for sure and the schematic would make for faster understanding of how the pulse conditioning from the divider is put together. Contact me at jroorthuys@yahoo.com if you can. Thanks in advance, Jim
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