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Digital Fast Clocks

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 3:20 PM

 Unless you can find old stock, you're not going to get those clock modules. I actually doubt anyone makes them anymore. DIY digital clocks kind of went the way of the dinosaur now that you can buy them for under $5 already made - back then they weren't exactly cheap.

 My advice would be to look for a more modern design that uses parts that are easily obtainable - I sort of recall anothe rone from back then that used a 555 timer IC (still readily available) and a few chips that shoudl still be available or easily subsituted (counter and LED drivers) and connected to standard LED digits rather than use a commercial clock module. I believe that appeared in a Symposium on Electronics column around that time. A more modern design would probably use a PIC or similar embedded processor chip which in parts ocunt would be simpler but you'd have to have a way to program the processor chip - not write the code, that would eb supplied, but get the code intot he chip, unless the designer was selling pre-programmed ones.

 Hmm, project idea, although kind of pointless for me since I use Digitrax DCC and there is a plug-in fast clock, plus it can take the time from a computer and display that, more accurate timekeeping than the command station's clock.

 

                                          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Lewisville, Texas
  • 1 posts
Digital Fast Clocks
Posted by tomwf1829 on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:03 AM

I am looking into building a fast clock from an article in the Sept 1983 MR (more than 25 years ago), called "Build a Digital Fast Clock," by Howard Doehler.  It looks like a practical, inexpensive project. 

My problem is matching alternative components.  Some of the parts listed are no longer available under the manufacturer's part numbers in the list.  Is there a similar article published more recently (with useful part numbers)? Or can anyone advise me on what components I can find available today? 

Thanks in advance for any help I can get.

I model a fictional branch line of the SP, set in the southwest U.S. in N scale. Have a look at my temporary website and look at my explanation of my road's name. Another more thorough site is forthcoming.

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