Synchronous Clock Driver
Approx construction cost US$52
By popular request - a dual-frequency 50Hz/60Hz converter for mains-operated synchronous clocks.
This project took shape following a request for advice from UK reader Chris Betts with a rather attractive American synchronous clock, which naturally enough he wanted to see in operation. Many readers will know that these clocks rely upon accurate frequency of the a.c. mains supply for their timekeeping, and that the supply in the USA is 60Hz, whereas the supply in the UK is 50Hz. This means that even if the voltage were to be transformed down to the US standard of 115 volts, the clock would still lose ten minutes per hour in the UK. The fact that this would be a very accurate ten minutes is not really much compensation!
As a fellow clock enthusiast, the author asked to be put in touch with the reader and a meeting, complete with the clock, was duly arranged. The result was this constructional project.
More details on this construction project can be found in the September 2001 issue of EPE Online, the world's first web-delivered electronics and computing hobbyist magazine.
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