ATOMIC WALL CLOCK
Quick set up instructions
Welcome to the world of radio controlled timekeeping technology. We hope you will enjoy
the convenience of never having to set your clock again and the confidence of knowing
exactly what time it is.
•
Install 1 fresh AA, LR6 1.5 volt ALKALINE battery.
•
Press a “PT”, “MT”, “CT”, or “ET” button to select a time zone. Do not press
the MANUAL TIME SET button while the clock is at the 4:00, 8:00, or 12:00
position (searching for the WWVB signal). THAT’S IT! During the night your
clock will automatically set itself.
For a better understanding of how and why your clock works, please continue reading.
Nothing is more precisely measured than time!
Since the beginning of time, man has been fascinated with the measurement of time and
has devised accurate machines to trap and measure time. Today, time is precisely
measured in the United States by the most accurate clock in North America, the Atomic
Clock of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, Time and Frequency
Division in Boulder, Colorado. A team of atomic physicists continually measures every
second of every day to an accuracy of ten billionths of a second per day. These physicists
have created an international standard, measuring a second as 9,192,631,770 vibrations of
a Cesium 133 atom in a vacuum. This atomic clock regulates the WWVB radio transmitter
located in Fort Collins, Colorado, where the exact time signal is continuously broadcast
throughout the United States at 60 kHz to take advantage of stable long wave radio paths
found in that frequency range. Radio waves at these low frequencies use the earth and the
ionosphere as a wave-guide and follow the curvature of the earth for long distances.
The built-in antenna system will receive the WWVB signal anywhere in North America
within 2000 miles of Fort Collins where long-wave radio reception is undisturbed. A
microprocessor activates the receiver and processes the time signal from Fort Collins
overnight.
Through the radio signals, La Crosse Technology radio controlled clocks always keep
precise time. The changeover from standard time to daylight savings time, and vice versa,
takes place automatically with the same precision.
Additional details
To set up your clock simply install one fresh AA, LR6 ALKALINE battery. Due to the nature
of long wave radio signals, it is normally not possible to receive a signal during the day so it
is best to install the battery late in the evening. Select your time zone by pressing one of the
four time zone buttons PT-Pacific Time, MT-Mountain Time, CT-Central Time, ET-Eastern
Time. The time zone buttons may be pressed any time after installing the batteries. If
multiple buttons are pressed the clock will set to the time zone selected last. If no time zone
is selected the clock will default to Pacific Time. Another time zone can be selected before
or after the clock has set itself. Your clock can only set itself to one of the four time zones
stated above. For time zones outside of PT, MT, CT or ET you must manually set the time
using the Manual Time set button on the back of the movement.
When the battery is installed the hands will move to the 4:00, 8:00, or 12:00 o’clock
position. The clock is now searching for a signal. For the initial setting it is
recommended to stand the clock in an upright position near a window facing
Colorado. Within five minutes the clock will either receive the WWVB signal and set
itself to the exact time, or it will determine that the signal is not receivable at its
current location and time of day and search for WWVB each hour until a signal is
received.
Select a location to place your radio controlled clock where it will be at least six feet away
from a TV, computer, air conditioner or other household electrical appliances. The optimal
location is near a window. Windows facing Colorado provide the best signal. The WWVB
time signal will easily penetrate Masonry and wood framed buildings. WWVB will penetrate
almost every residential building and most steel buildings if they have adequate windows. It
is not possible, however, for WWVB to penetrate most indoor shopping malls and rooms in
the center of large office buildings that do not have windows. In buildings that WWVB
cannot penetrate you may set the time using the manual time set button. When the clock is
exposed to the WWVB signal it will automatically set the hands to the exact time.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Only use the Manual Setting Option if, after a few days, you are
absolutely unable to receive a WWVB signal.
La Crosse Technology clocks do not receive or process radio-controlled time signals
from Germany’s DCF 77, Japan’s J Ga AS, or England’s MSFs atomically regulated
transmitters. La Crosse Technology clocks can be manually set and used anywhere.
MANUAL TIME SET OPTION
•
Press and hold the
TIME SET BUTTON
on the back of the movement continuously
to set the manual time. Your clock is now working as a quartz clock and not
searching for the WWVB signal.
It is important to not release the button for more
than 2 seconds during this time,
or your clock will automatically return to the
RADIO CONTROL MODE
to begin searching for a WWVB signal again.
•
If at any time your clock automatically advances to 4:00, 8:00, or 12:00, it has
entered the
RADIO CONTROLLED MODE
and is searching for the WWVB signal.
•
If you are trying to manually set your clock and have accidentally returned to the
RADIO CONTROL MODE
, you must remove the batteries, wait 2 minutes, and then
reinstall the battery. The clock will advance to 4, 8, or 12 and allow you to use the
MANUAL SET BUTTON
.
•
There are 2 ways to return to
RADIO CONTROL MODE
if your clock is manually set:
1.
Remove the battery, reinstall it after 2 minutes, and start the clock again.
2. Press
the
TIME SET BUTTON
for more than 3 seconds. The hands will move
to the 4:00, 8:00, or 12:00 o’clock position and begin searching for a WWVB
signal.
¾
After successful WWVB signal is established, your clock will be set
automatically and will work as a radio controlled clock.
¾
If reception of WWVB signal is not possible, your clock will switch back to the
QUARTZ MODE
after 10 minutes and show the quartz time. This movement
is now functioning as a quartz clock and will not attempt to receive the WWVB
signal again, unless you remove the batteries or press the
TIME SET
BUTTON
again as described above.
•
It is not possible to manually set the time if your clock has automatically set itself.
Troubleshooting
The wonderful advantage of owning a La Crosse Technology radio controlled clock is that it
is virtually trouble free. If the clock receives a clear signal it will set itself perfectly. If it does
not receive a signal consider the following:
Battery
-
The La Crosse Technology clock should have a fresh Alkaline
Battery to best receive and process the time signal.
Location
-
Try a different location, ideally near a window. It should be at
least six feet from computers, TVs, air conditioners, other Radio
Controlled clocks and other electrical appliances that cause
interference.
Weather
-
Electrical storms between you and Colorado during the night will
interfere with the WWVB signal.
Daylight Saving Time
The National Institute of Standards and Technology and WWVB encode a special DST “bit”
in the WWVB transmission for DST. Your La Crosse Technology clock will read this
information and automatically advance the hands one hour in the spring and eleven hours
in the fall.
Arizona and Indiana
If you live in an area that does not recognize DST you must press the (unmarked) DST
button for one second to deactivate your clock’s DST program. To reactivate the DST
program simply press the DST button again for one second.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long will the battery last?
A. A good AA alkaline battery will last over one year. If your clock is located in an area with
little interference where it can quickly receive a signal the battery can last much longer
than one year.
Q. Can the clock be wired to control timing circuits?
A. No.
Q. Why does the second hand move only once every 2 seconds?
A. When the battery drops below 1.25 volts the clock indicates that it is time to change the
battery by advancing the second hand in 2-second steps. The operating voltage range is
1.25 to 1.75 volts.
BATTERIES CHANGE:
For best performance, batteries should be replaced at least once a year to maintain the
best running accuracy. Ensure that the batteries used are new and the correct size.
Please help in the preservation of the environment and return used
batteries to an authorized depot.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
La Crosse Technology, Ltd provides a 1-year limited warranty on this product
against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship.
This limited warranty begins on the original date of purchase, is valid only on
products purchased and used in North America and only to the original
purchaser of this product. To receive warranty service, the purchaser must
contact La Crosse Technology, Ltd for problem determination and service
procedures. Warranty service can only be performed by a La Crosse
Technology, Ltd authorized service center. The original dated bill of sale must
be presented upon request as proof of purchase to La Crosse Technology, Ltd
or La Crosse Technology, Ltd’s authorized service center.
La Crosse Technology, Ltd will repair or replace this product, at our option and
at no charge as stipulated herein, with new or reconditioned parts or products
if found to be defective during the limited warranty period specified above. All
replaced parts and products become the property of La Crosse Technology,
Ltd and must be returned to La Crosse Technology, Ltd. Replacement parts
and products assume the remaining original warranty, or ninety (90) days,
whichever is longer. La Crosse Technology, Ltd will pay all expenses for labor
and materials for all repairs covered by this warranty. If necessary repairs are
not covered by this warranty, or if a product is examined which is not in need
or repair, you will be charged for the repairs or examination. The owner must
pay any shipping charges incurred in getting your La Crosse Technology, Ltd
product to a La Crosse Technology, Ltd authorized service center. La Crosse
Technology, Ltd will pay ground return shipping charges to the owner of the
product to a USA address only.
Your La Crosse Technology, Ltd warranty covers all defects in material and
workmanship with the following specified exceptions: (1) damage caused by
accident, unreasonable use or neglect (including the lack of reasonable and
necessary maintenance); (2) damage occurring during shipment (claims must
be presented to the carrier); (3) damage to, or deterioration of, any accessory
or decorative surface; (4) damage resulting from failure to follow instructions
Eastern Time
Pacific Time
Mountain Time
Central Time
MANUAL TIME
SET BUTTON*
*ONLY use in areas
with No WWVB reception
Daylight Saving Time
(DST) ON/OFF Button
MANUAL SET
BUTTON
will turn off
WWVB reception!
A
