24 VDC Clock to AC?

[fireplug]

I found a pretty cool old clock for the garage, looking closer I saw that it was 24VDC in addition is had no plug so I passed on it.

Upon reflection, I am sure there is a good way to deal with this. Perhaps I can simply use some sort of plug in 'transformer' (terminology is probably incorrect).

Any thoughts from the knowledgeable folks out there?

 

[domain]

Inverter maybe

 

[soj]

I think the technically correct term is "wall wart".

Yes, an AC to DC converter will do the trick. Be sure the amperage rating on the "wall wart" is = to or > the amperage rating on the clock. Most wall warts are very low wattage, so you may have to go with a transformer and put it in a housing. Make sure the output is DC.

Opps. Edit: A transformer would be AC output.

 

[Shiftless]

What you might have there is a (slave) clock designed to be wired to a master controller. It might not run independently on your 24 volt power supply. They were common in schools 50 years ago.

If you seriously want to test it on 24 volts DC just wire two car batteries together in series along with a fuse of one or two amps to protect the coils. If your clock is rated at 6 watts, use a 1/4 or maybe 1/2 amp fuse. Remember that watts = volts x amps. So amps = watts/volts

 

[soj]

Found something. You would need to check for a label on the clock to be sure of amperage requirements, but this is 2.7A.

Is the clock still available?

 

[fireplug]

What you might have there is a (slave) clock designed to be wired to a master controller. It might not run independently on your 24 volt power supply. They were common in schools 50 years ago.

If you seriously want to test it on 24 volts DC just wire two car batteries together in series along with a fuse of one or two amps to protect the coils.

Thanks for all the responses guys. Is there any way I can confirm this possibility visually? It's at an 'antique' (junk) store so bringing two batteries in might not be the easiest.

 

[fireplug]

Found something. You would need to check for a label on the clock to be sure of amperage requirements, but this is 2.7A.

Is the clock still available?

Yes it is!

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Is there any way I can confirm this possibility visually? It's at an 'antique' (junk) store so bringing two batteries in might not be the easiest.

Last week I was at a silent auction where I found an old wall clock salvaged from a 50's school recently demolished. It was a slave clock that had a terminal block on the back with two screw terminals kinda like on the back of a speaker.

You could wire 4 six volt lantern batteries together in series to get 24 volts. Kinda expensive for just a test. I don't imagine that the antique store would give you a 24 hour return for a refund offer would they? Then test at home.

 

[soj]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Is there any way I can confirm this possibility visually? It's at an 'antique' (junk) store so bringing two batteries in might not be the easiest.

Do you have any 24V cordless tools and a couple of jumper wires?

 

[Shiftless]

I found a pretty cool old clock for the garage, looking closer I saw that it was 24VDC in addition is had no plug so I passed on it.

Upon reflection, I am sure there is a good way to deal with this. Perhaps I can simply use some sort of plug in 'transformer' (terminology is probably incorrect).

Any thoughts from the knowledgeable folks out there?

Value reference...
The school clock at the auction I went to was about 15 inches in diameter, clean but showed the patina of age and went for $65.

 

[Shiftless]

Inverter maybe

Don't inverters normally change 12 volts DC to 120 volts AC?

 

[fireplug]

It's one of those consignment type places, so it's not as easy as it would be if I could actually chat with the seller.

I may bring along a spare battery and ask to take it outside briefly. It's definitely unlike most I've seen with a thick aluminum base and a very domed glass. They only want 37 bucks so I'm sorta kicking myself in the **** for not just grabbing it.

Fantastic response and ideas guys thanks again. If I grab it I'll post up pics.

 

[Shiftless]

It's one of those consignment type places, so it's not as easy as it would be if I could actually chat with the seller.

I may bring along a spare battery and ask to take it outside briefly. It's definitely unlike most I've seen with a thick aluminum base and a very domed glass. They only want 37 bucks so I'm sorta kicking myself in the **** for not just grabbing it.

Fantastic response and ideas guys thanks again. If I grab it I'll post up pics.

If you test it with the 24 VDC, just give it a brief touch for an impulse of current. That should make the minute hand click forward one notch for each time you touch your wire to the terminal. Pay attention to plus and minus on the terminals.

But sounds to me that you are just looking for wall art. How would you get this clock to keep time without the master controller? A ********* electrical whiz might come up with a computer controlled relay switch to give it a bump every 60 seconds in order to keep time. I couldn't do that, not in a million years!

 

[soj]

Don't inverters normally change 12 volts DC to 120 volts AC?

Yes, inverters change DC to AC.

Transformers change AC to AC of a different voltage, could be up or down, ie more or less volts. A coil in a spark ign. engine is a type of transformer that only works when the input voltage is switched on and off, via the points or electronics. 12V in, thousands of Vs out, a step-up transformer. The transformer on the pole outside your house, is step-down, thousands of Vs in, hundreds of Vs out.

The AC to DC converter is a transformer that converts AC to AC of a (usually) lower voltage, then a rectifier to convert the new AC voltage to DC.

If I am off on any of this, anyone who really knows what they are talking about, feel free to correct me. As if I needed to give permission!
jp

 

[fireplug]

If you test it with the 24 VDC, just give it a brief touch for an impulse of current. That should make the minute hand click forward one notch for each time you touch your wire to the terminal. Pay attention to plus and minus on the terminals.

But sounds to me that you are just looking for wall art. How would you get this clock to keep time without the master controller? A ********* electrical whiz might come up with a computer controlled relay switch to give it a bump every 60 seconds in order to keep time. I couldn't do that, not in a million years!

Two ideas.

The first is more hopeful than realistic but I know some clocks requiring a master controller also have the wiring for direct use coiled up in the housing. Red/Black for controller, White/Black for A/C (I'm hoping AC though it may just be direct to DC).

The other idea is to replace the mechanicals with a simple battery operated mechanism that you can buy at for example Lee Valley.

 

[soj]

If you test it with the 24 VDC, just give it a brief touch for an impulse of current. That should make the minute hand click forward one notch for each time you touch your wire to the terminal. Pay attention to plus and minus on the terminals.

But sounds to me that you are just looking for wall art. How would you get this clock to keep time without the master controller? A ********* electrical whiz might come up with a computer controlled relay switch to give it a bump every 60 seconds in order to keep time. I couldn't do that, not in a million years!

If it can be opened up, the entire clock mechanism could be replaced with a common battery powered clock movement. Then we are just talking two double As.

Or, a 120V movement, just plug it in.
jp

fireplug, you beat me to it on the replacement idea.

 

[Slowgsr]

Didn't read the thread but you can just use a driver. Led driver will work just be sure it's 24v

 

[rockwithjason]

During storms and other bad situations i will use 3 9v batteries in series to power 24vdc devices. You can make up a set with nothing more than two wires and some black tape

 

[domain]

Yes, inverters change DC to AC.

Transformers change AC to AC of a different voltage, could be up or down, ie more or less volts. A coil in a spark ign. engine is a type of transformer that only works when the input voltage is switched on and off, via the points or electronics. 12V in, thousands of Vs out, a step-up transformer. The transformer on the pole outside your house, is step-down, thousands of Vs in, hundreds of Vs out.

The AC to DC converter is a transformer that converts AC to AC of a (usually) lower voltage, then a rectifier to convert the new AC voltage to DC.

If I am off on any of this, anyone who really knows what they are talking about, feel free to correct me. As if I needed to give permission!
jp

correct whoops

 

[fireplug]

During storms and other bad situations i will use 3 9v batteries in series to power 24vdc devices. You can make up a set with nothing more than two wires and some black tape

That seems like a simple slick method!

 

[TractorJeff]

Any kid who plays with electronics/computers would be able to build a simple timer/ counter driver that would output a pulse every 60 seconds.
OR
You could just do what has been suggested and replace the internals with a clock movement from the internet or from Clockit in Lake Geneva, WI.