American Time Radio Controlled - Manual (Page 2)

RC-INST 1825
140 3 rd Street South Dassel, Minnesota 55325-0707
Phone: 800-328-8996 Fax: 800-789-1882
© American Time
Radio Control Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom
Problem
Resolution
Hands don’t move Normal startup
Battery in wrong
Dead battery
Hands will run to 12:00 upon startup and then stay at 12:00
while searching for a signal. The search procedure takes
approximately 3 to 15 minutes after all hands have set to the
12:00 position.
Verify battery is in correctly
Replace with new battery
Doesn’t correct At initial startup
Poor reception
Hasn’t found signal
Geographical location
Signal interference
Bad weather conditions
No reception Hands will run to 12:00 upon startup and then stay at 12:00
while searching for a signal. If the clock does not receive a
radio signal soon after activated, the clock will start running
from the 12:00 position and will continue to run. In this case,
do not attempt to reset the hands manually even though the
time displayed is incorrect. The clock is synchronizing to the
WWVB signal and once the radio signal is decoded, the hands
will automatically adjust to the correct time.
Move to a different location. May not pick up signal in rooms
in the middle of large buildings or on lower levels
Wait at least 72 hours
Set clock manually, see “Manual Time Setting” section
Move clock several feet from electronic appliances, electrical
or metal appliances, large metal surfaces or objects
Hospital equipment may interfere with signal, move or set time
manually.
Wait until conditions are better and re-try
Set clock manually, see “Manual Time Setting” section
Sweep/second hand vibrates but
doesn’t move
Sweep/second hand sticks at around the
08:00 to 09:00 position and vibrates Check/replace battery, voltage cannot be below 1.25V
Sweep/second hand stops at 01:00,
03:00 and 06:00 AM
Normal synchronization process 01:00, 03:00 and 06:00 AM are radio signal reception times
and at these times the sweep/second hand will stop, signaling
a signal reception time. At the end of the reception time (3-4
minutes) the clock will correct if necessary and the sweep
hand will resume movement.
Time is off Hands moved during shipping
Hands physically moved
Wrong time zone
No signal reception at initial startup Verify hand position by running clock to the 12:00 position. If
hands are off, re-position hands,
see “Setting/Verifying the
12:00 position”.
Hands cannot be manually rotated with your fingers. Verify
hand position by running clock to the 12:00 position; see
”Setting/Verifying the 12:00 position”. If hands are off, re-
position hands, see
”Positioning Hands”.
Set rotary switch to appropriate time zone
At initial startup, hands will fast advance to 12:00 and then
stay at 12:00 while searching for a signal. If the clock does not
receive a radio signal soon after activated (within 15 minutes),
the clock will start running from the 12:00 position and will
continue to run but will not be on the correct time. See the
“Doesn’t Correct” section above.
Clock noise
Clock is setting or readjusting itself Allow to reset
Losing or gaining time Low battery
Hands loose
Hands rubbing each other, dial or crystal
Picking up interference Replace battery, voltage cannot be below 1.25V
Run clock to 12:00 position, see ”Setting/Verifying the 12:00
Remove battery, adjust hands, then run to the 12:00 position
to verify hands, see
”Setting/Verifying the 12:00 position”
Move clock to a new location