I cannot say for sure, but this particular model of alarm clock may have been designed to prevent that very thing.

When you open up the backup battery compartment on it, you find yourself looking at, not one, but two 9-volt battery connectors:



(Apologies for the poor picture - it was taken by a third party.)

I do not own one of these clocks, so I am left wondering if one of the two 9-volts is meant to power the alarm so that it can go off during a power cut.

In any case, this is the only clock I am aware of that requires two 9-volt...

I came across this sticker recently:



(It's from a 1980s GE clock radio - the model number is at the bottom left.)

I worked out the top pictogramme (indicating a 12/24 hour facility) and bottom pictogramme (120v or 220v mains power) fairly quickly. But the middle pictogramme...ah. That one left me baffled for a time.

(I won't say how long, exactly, because it would be too embarrassing.)

Eventually, it dawned upon me that this was a pictogramme to indicate a 9-volt battery backup facility.


My question is: has anyone...

Hello Everyone,

I am seeking to repair a knob on an old (circa 1971) Panasonic clock radio (a model RC-6900). The good news is that I have the small, easily lost knob. The bad news is that the knob has come off a slotted post and I need to re-attach it in such a way that I won't have to worry about it coming loose again.

Here is a picture of the bare slotted post (if I have the term right) the knob should be attached to:



As you can see, this is an Old School selector switch, which means it's pretty stiff. Put another way: the knob has to fit...

Hello All,

I wanted to check with the board before I do anything foolish and/or irreversible. Can someone please set me straight on the use of isopropyl alcohol to clean electronics? I understand it is commonly used to clean electrical contacts. However, in this case, I am wondering if I can safely immerse a small electronic item in alcohol provided a) all power has been removed and b) I take care to dry it thoroughly before re-applying power.

The short version is that I am seeking to clean an older used (well-used) electronic item. The basic plan is to immerse it in...

Re: Micronta Talking Alarm Clock Full Recap



Could the OP please post an update? I would be interested to hear what he found during his second visit inside the case and whether he was able to restore the clock to full working order....

Re: Micronta Talking Alarm Clock Full Recap



Could you offer any advice on the best way to get the case open without damaging it?

I have only ever heard of one other person attempting to open up this particular model of clock. According to his description of the task, the case tolerances were so tight, he felt as though he was breaking it in his attempt to get inside.

Did you have a similar experience when you first opened the case?...

Re: How long were the displays on consumer-grade 1980s-era LED clocks designed to las



In contrast, is it fair to say Radio Shack was known in the industry for using good components in their clocks at the time?

My own impression of RS in the 1980s was that their products in general (and their clocks in particular) were designed and assembled fairly conscientiously (i.e. with decent components and an eye to long service life). Admitttedly, this was some time ago, and my memory may be playing me false.

In any case, there do seem to be quite...

Re: Micronta Talking Alarm Clock Full Recap



Can you please ask your grandfather whether the clock kept accurate time until recently?

I ask because, rather than using the 60 Hertz mains to maintain accuracy, this particular clock relies on the MCU frequency; I am not clear on why the manufacturer would do this (perhaps someone here knows?). However, I am informed this is not an accurate way to keep the clock synced when using the simple RC oscillator the clock was designed with.

(I know of no one else who owns one of these, so I hope...

Does anyone know? A recent thread has got me wondering if the folks who designed and built consumer-grade LED clocks in the 1980s ever envisioned them still being used in the 2020s or if they were designed to give out (i.e. planned obsolescence) long before then?

Perhaps a better way to phrase this would be: does anyone here still use a 1980s-era clock as a daily timepiece? If so, do you expect to get many more years out of it?

(Along those same lines, if it does eventually develop a fault, are you likely to try to fix it?)

Re: Micronta Talking Alarm Clock Full Recap




Am I right in thinking that failing caps is a relatively rare phenomenon with this particular clock? O, rather, is this a widely-known problem with the VC 3 and most owners simply choose to bin their clock rather than taking the time and trouble to repair it?

(I ask because I was quite surprised to find a mere single mention of this nearly forty-year-old clock on the forum. Perhaps my sense of surprise is misplaced?)...