Hack of LED Clock

CDBEAM · Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Monroe, MI

Hello ALL,

New to this forum, Thankful for it being here !! Anyway... I want to hack an LED clock. I have some electronic experience.... not alot...just a hobbyist !!
Here is what I want to do....take a six (6) digit led clock...which has output in Hours:Minutes:Seconds ( They are out there !!)...and pick up a control signal off the display...to turn on a 5VDC device....every hour...on the hour...for one (1) minute.....AND to turn on that same 5VDC device
every 60 seconds...for one (1) second...at 00 seconds.
Multiplexing has me stumped in this case...any thoughts on how to do this ???????????????????? Thanx in advance...

Bob

Alan · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 1:02 am Post subject:

Do you need the clock display or just the timed output? If you need the clock to function you can see if there are one second pulses that you can capture and feed into a controller. This controller would simply count second pulses and activate when the correct count is reached.

If no display is needed then you could simply use a microcontroller and real time clock or just a accurate oscillator.

Turd · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:16 am Post subject:

A crappy way to detect the digits would be to glue some photo-resistors to the face of the clock Laughing

eric

CDBEAM · Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Monroe, MI

Hello,

Well...yes...I Would like this project to basically be a clock...albiet ...a very special clock !!!....and... an electronic tech at work also said this would be the simplest way to do it.... is to pick up a control pulse signal from a flashing colon sign...which normally goes I/O every second...and then output this to counter IC's....and programe accordingly...BUT...It is desireable to have a six (6) digit display...H:M:S...output....SO....I am looking for a unit to hack !! with both flashing colon AND H:M:S display???
Think I found one at http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/jumbo-display-led-clock ..... So...

I will try to contact them...to verify that the colon IS flashing ??? I will advise when I know !!! NOW....how to do the circuit...NOT A CLUE !!!
I only know enough to be really dangerous !!! Like...er...ah...7417 Decade
counter....Really....I will need help with this...or...I will need to comission someone to design/build this ??? I would rather do it and save the $$...but...well...ya just havta play your strong suite...and this is not mine !!! We will see !! ANYWAY...THANX for your help so far !!!!!! The idea of optical coupling IS sure simple....BUT...I need a continous signal...no I/O @ 30 Hz....so...I do not know if the optical idea would work ??????

Any other ideas on clock source...to hack...PLEASE advise.....!!!!! This
project is becoming ALOT more involved than I would have ever
predicted !!!!!

BoB

steve0 · Semi Newbie Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 6

Oh,hi!Glad to see you!
________
herbalaire

CDBEAM · Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Monroe, MI

Hi Steve,
Yes...This project IS moving ahead....albeit, very slowly !! Stanwax is doing the circuitry. He has made custom printed circuit boards....and I believe is using a basic microprocessor to control the whole thing !!
I am working on the " display " end of things. I believe he is using the colon I/O as a control pulse !
When complete....it will be the ONLY visual chime clock that I know of !!!
Later,
Bob

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