| Overall diameter
of the Balmoral atomic clock is 18 inches (457 mm), and its face is about
13.5 inches (343 mm) in diameter. The big, bold hour numerals are over
1.6 inches (40.6 mm) tall for easy viewing from a distance. The analog
thermometer reads from
-42° to +122°F.
The round dial of the thermometer is about 3.6 inches (91.4 mm) in diameter,
and the thermometer pointer is red. The clock's lens is glass for easy
cleaning without scratching and is tightly sealed with a rubber gasket
to protect the face and hands from moisture. The clock movement is also
in a sealed compartment for protection.
The clock's quartz movement
is a patented U.S. design. Its integral radio receiver detects the WWVB
time signal from Colorado, and its microchip adjusts the hands to display
the exact time. With only two controls--a pushbutton and a wheel that
manually moves the clock's hands--setup is really easy. And the clock
can optionally provide an audible indication of radio signal strength
to help you find a location with good radio reception.
This clock displays the precise
time in any location where the WWVB radio signal can be received. This
includes the continental U.S. (the "lower 48") plus parts of
Canada and Mexico. Daylight Saving Time adjustment takes place automatically
in the spring and fall, but if you live in Indiana or Arizona, you can
disable DST. You do this by holding the pushbutton depressed as you insert
the battery and then releasing it after the battery is fully inserted.
You then perform the normal setup steps as described in the instructions.
Also, if you want to set your
clock, say, 5 minutes fast, you can do this manually after the clock synchronizes
to the WWVB signal. Just set the time ahead by 5 minutes by using the
wheel, and the clock will maintain the 5-minute difference indefinitely
(or until you reset it).
If you move to a different continental
U.S. time zone, you can adjust for it simply by using the wheel to adjust
the time by the appropriate number of hours--the minute and second hands
will automatically adjust themselves as necessary when the clock again
receives the WWVB radio signal. Or, if you take the clock out of WWVB
range, you can reset it for local time and it will continue to operate
as a highly accurate quartz clock--but without the WWVB automatic time
calibration. You do this by removing and reinserting the battery and using
the wheel only--not the pushbutton--to set the time.
The Balmoral atomic wall clock
is powered by a single AA (1.5 volt) alkaline battery, which is included
and normally lasts up to 2 years. (The back of the clock's package tells
you to use two AA alkaline batteries, but this is incorrect. We checked.)
For this clock, it is important to always use an alkaline AA battery,
not a carbon-zinc, lithium, or rechargeable battery.
Note: Although the
following is not included in this clock's instructions, we thought we
should mention it anyway because it is included in the instructions for
similar clocks intended primarily for outdoor use. Please be aware that
when the temperature is expected to fall below freezing, the clock should
be brought indoors. This is because in low temperatures, the alkaline
battery may not provide enough current to power the clock motor, in which
case the clock will lose its accuracy. (Alkaline batteries lose power
in sub-freezing temperatures.) |
