Quartz Clocks (Battery Operated)

In summary, the author is trying to build a circuit that will cut voltage from 5 to 1.5 volts. This is not going to work and is in error on the part of the author.
  • #1
John1397
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I never had quartz clock I see you need to use carbon battery, I am thinking start with 1000 ohm resistor and see if clock runs with alkaline battery if not just keep lowering resistance.
 
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  • #2
John1397 said:
I never had quartz clock I see you need to use carbon battery, I am thinking start with 1000 ohm resistor and see if clock runs with alkaline battery if not just keep lowering resistance.
I run all my clocks with alkaline batteries. Where did you read that carbon batteries are required?
 
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  • #3
John1397 said:
I never had quartz clock I see you need to use carbon battery
I'm with @anorlunda -- I don't understand your question. Do you have a datasheet for the clock you are asking about?

Or perhaps are you asking about how to build a crystal oscillator circuit? There are some requirements on the oscillator circuit (like using an unbuffered inverter for some configurations), but you would need to tell us more in order for us to help you.

crystal-oscillator.png

https://www.gadgetronicx.com/square-wave-generator-crystal-oscillator/
 
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  • #4
John1397 said:
I never had quartz clock I see you need to use carbon battery, I am thinking start with 1000 ohm resistor and see if clock runs with alkaline battery if not just keep lowering resistance.
A crystal regulated wall clock will run on any battery voltage from about 1.1 volts to 2.0 volts. I use rechargeable Ni-Mh cells at about 1.2 volt.

Do NOT use a resistor. The crystal oscillator runs continuously, but once each second the clock takes a short pulse of charge from the battery to advance the clock mechanism. A resistor will drop too much voltage during the pulse, which will then upset the oscillator.
 
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  • #5
anorlunda said:
I run all my clocks with alkaline batteries. Where did you read that carbon batteries are required?
The manufacturer in China says not to use rechargeable or alkaline batteries even Seikos website says no alkaline batteries, seems to me on DC you only have volts and amps.
 
  • #6
See what a seller on Ebay writes about batteries.
 

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  • #7
All battery-operated equipment must run off a range of voltages, since batteries vary over their useful life. Both Zn-C and alkaline batteries are nominally 1.5 V and spend most of their life between about 1.5 - 1.3 V

NiCd and NiMH have a lower voltage, starting around 1.3 V and spending most of their life around 1.2 - 1.1 V, so I can see why they might not work. And I certainly have equipment which does not work with rechargeables (on a one to one replacement basis) or works only briefly with a freshly charged battery.

Alkaline batteries are preferred for higher current loads and because they may(!) be less likely to leak if left in past their useful life.
Zn-C I've seen specifically recommended for low-drain applications like clocks.
Clocks are also less likely to leak as they are not usually on stand-by: they operate all the time and you notice quickly if the battery reaches the end of its useful life.

If the current demand of the short pulses is significant, I'd have thought designers would include a bit of capacitance to support the transient load.
 
  • #8
Quote from above image: "Too strong electricity will damage the movement."
OMG....
 
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  • #9
Somebody thinks this will work three diodes in row cuts voltage from 5 to 1.5.
 

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  • #10
John1397 said:
Somebody thinks this will work three diodes in row cuts voltage from 5 to 1.5.
"Somebody" is not a valid reference at PF. I checked the datasheet for those diodes and this schematic is obviously in error. Lordy.

Thread is closed temporarily for Moderation...
 
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1. How do quartz clocks work?

Quartz clocks work by using a piece of quartz crystal as its timekeeping element. The crystal is cut and shaped to vibrate at a specific frequency when an electric current is applied to it. This vibration is then converted into electrical pulses that drive the clock's motor, causing it to keep time accurately.

2. What makes quartz clocks more accurate than other types of clocks?

Quartz clocks are more accurate than other types of clocks because of the precise frequency of the quartz crystal's vibrations. These vibrations are not affected by changes in temperature or humidity, unlike traditional mechanical clocks. Additionally, the electrical pulses produced by the quartz crystal are consistent, resulting in more accurate timekeeping.

3. How long do the batteries in a quartz clock last?

The lifespan of the batteries in a quartz clock can vary depending on the quality of the batteries and the clock's usage. However, on average, a quartz clock's batteries can last anywhere from 6 months to 1 year before needing to be replaced.

4. Can quartz clocks be adjusted for daylight saving time?

Yes, most quartz clocks have a feature that allows them to be adjusted for daylight saving time. This is usually done by pressing a button or turning a dial on the clock to advance or rewind the time by one hour.

5. Do quartz clocks require any maintenance?

Quartz clocks do not require much maintenance. However, it is recommended to replace the batteries regularly to ensure accurate timekeeping. If the clock begins to lose time or stops working, it may need to be serviced by a professional to replace any worn-out parts.

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