I'm inclined to agree more with Bob on this one. I've seen devices which
won't work with certain AA/AAA batteries because the + terminal is too
deeply recessed, as well. If there was a second battery needed, the clock
wouldn't work (however badly) with the original reinstalled.

I'd look *ver* closely at the positive terminal of the unit with a different
battery installed; and closely compare the + terminal of the original
battery with the replacement(s). If all else fails, it's time to get ou the
voltmeter. It may be necessary to partially disassemble the clock to
determine if--in fact--voltage is actually getting to the works. If not, it
should be possible to modify either the terminal, or the recess into which
it's placed, in order to enable contact. One might be able to find a
battery which has a slightly taller + terminal as well.

jak

"Sofie" wrote in message
...
Ian 2:
Any radio clock that I have seen needs more voltage than a single AA (1.5
Volt) battery can deliver...... are you certain that it is indeed a
single
cell 1.5 Volt AA battery and not a similar size 6 volt or 12 volt battery
similar to those found in cameras and smoke detectors??? Make certain
that
you observe the correct polarity.... it can be confusing at times.
--
Best Regards,
Daniel Sofie
Electronics Supply & Repair
--------------------


"Ian.2" wrote in message
...
To be honest, I'm not really expecting this to get working again, but
mostly
it's just baffling me. So if anyone can offer any light onto what might
be
going on here... I'm posting from the UK, in case any of the wording
seems
a bit odd to you

Some years ago I bought a radio-controlled analogue clock module from
Maplin, and used it to replace the standard clock module in a cheap and
cheerful wooden wall clock I'd bought from Argos. The clock
synchronises
itself with the Rugby radio time signal, so always keeps exact time -
even
adjusting between BST/GMT. It's fun to listen to the radio time pips
and
see the second hand of my clock in perfect syhnchronisation with them.
Well, there's so much tat on telly these days, what else would I look
at?

I noticed the other day that the clock was about 10 seconds behind the
hour
countdown on BBC News 24, but assumed that, being digital, there was a
delay
with the TV signal. Then today I realised that my clock was in fact
slow,
as it was behind the pips I could hear from the radio in the kitchen.
Time
for battery replacement, I assumed.

Indeed it was, as the alkaline AA battery in there barely gave a flicker
on
my meter. I put in a new Ever Ready one. Nothing. Every Ready battery
is
fine on meter. Try an almost-new Rayovac. Nothing. Put original
"dead"
battery in the clock. Clock starts ticking.

Despite fidgeting the batteries in the battery case, cleaning contacts
with
emery paper, and trying several other brands in case it was some bizarre
physical contact thing, the only battery that will make my clock tick is
the
practically dead Sanyo one I took out of it. None of the new or
semi-used
batteries will make it work!

Any suggestions before I throw the clock module away and seek a new one?

Ian