[BC] Horological considerations for Advanced Time

[Jim Tonne]

Tom wrote:

> However, this device announces each hour with a series of loud bell 
> sounds, with no provision for silencing same.

The way I handle this on Chauncey Jerme is to allow the power
storage for that part of the mechanism to deplete itself.
Then I can enjoy the silence.

Shame your manual didn't point this out.

- JimT




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Taggart" <tpt at eurekanet.com>
To: <broadcast at radiolists.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 8:27 AM
Subject: [BC] Horological considerations for Advanced Time


> After carefully reviewing the exhaustive discussion regarding the 
> recalibration of microprocessor-controlled time-based software, in 
> anticipation of this weekend's Congressionally mandated premature 
> excursion into advanced time, I decided to review and examine procedures 
> for the adjustment of my domestic horological devices.
>
> As a guide to my planning, I also consulted the recent history of the 
> FCC's attempts to cope with the sudden advance of the time-change date.
>
> Therefore I conducted a preliminary survey of the horological devices in 
> my living room. The primary instrument is marked "LaCrosse," and it is 
> presumably controlled by a primitive microprocessor. Markings indicate 
> remote calibration by WWVB signal. Upon the onset of time change on 
> Saturday next, it will undoubtedly indicate the correct minute and second. 
> However, since the case is sealed in plastic, it is apparent that the 
> native software cannot be adjusted, or revised. The solution will be a 
> post-it note installed on 11 March noting that 1 hour should be added to 
> the indicated time.
>
> The next unit, marked Sunbeam, is an electro-chemically powered wall-mount 
> device using an internal oscillator to drive the indicating hands. Manual 
> re-calibration will be needed, using the rear-mounted wheel that allows 
> adjustment of the indicating hands.
>
> The remaining three horological devices will prove more problematical. 
> Two are wall-mounted, one manufactured by a "Simon Willard" of Boston, the 
> other by an "Aaron Willard."
> Since they are clearly of early 19th century design, no manufacturer's 
> manual is available, even after an internet search.
>
> Both devices are gravity-regulated, spring-driven devices, using a weight 
> and escape mechanism to allow for incremental release of the spring power 
> to drive the indicating hands, and a moving pendulum to provide precise 
> timed release of the geared escape mechanism.
>
> As I recall, the first device, a gilded instrument commonly known as a 
> "banjo," worked at its former installation in Cleveland.  However, the 
> present mounting, on a fieldstone wall adjacent to the fireplace, prevents 
> proper operation of the pendulum regulating system as the system departs 
> too far from vertical.
>
> The second device, the Aaron Willard "banjo," also worked up until 1983, 
> when the gravity-drive mechanism abruptly stopped. At that time, the 2.5 
> kilo lead weight abruptly plunged through the bottom of the device.
>
> Hence, neither device will need further recalibration with the institution 
> of advanced time.  They will still accurately display the correct time 
> twice a day.  Furthermore, the Aaron Williard is, with the loss of the 
> lead weight, now fully compliant with European ROHS guidelines.
>
> The final device, of case design, six foot in height, is fully operational 
> and has been maintaining accurate display of the time within +/- 30 
> seconds over the period of a week.
> It is also of spring-powered, gravity-drive design, with a much larger 
> regulating pendulum, contributing to its accuracy.  However, this device 
> announces each hour with a series of loud bell sounds, with no provision 
> for silencing same.
>
> This left me with a conundrum. I could either allow the clock to continue 
> on non-advanced time through the night of March 10~morning of March 11, 
> but this would lead to widespread household confusion, due to the 
> incorrect declaration of time throughout the night.  Or I could stay up 
> until 2:00 AM March 11, and manually advance this device until the correct 
> time of 3:00 AM.
>
> Since the above procedure would require the loss of even more sleep than 
> that hour confiscated prematurely by Congress, I decided to abandon the 
> entire program of time recalibration until sometime in April....
>
> -- 
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