Internet Time Server Wall Clocks

clutchc · Apr 2, 2014

Does anyone know of a retailer for auto-setting clocks that use one's Wireless Router/Internet as opposed to the so-called atomic clocks that rely on the WWVB radio signal from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST)?

I must be living in a nearly dead zone for the NIST signal. My clocks don't adjust well at all; never have. But my wireless-connected PCs have no problem setting their clocks via one of the NIST Internet Time Servers. A wall clock that had a wireless connection to one's router would be an ideal solution.

One caveat... I would like it to be suitable for home use, not an institutional looking clock.

Someone Somewhere · Apr 2, 2014

That actually sounds like a really obvious idea... I've had a look and can't find anything that's not stupidly expensive and/or stupidly heavy. Most are mains or PoE powered, too. Not wireless.

FYI: NTP (Network Time Protocol) is the term you're looking for.

clutchc · Apr 2, 2014

@Mod
Thanks for clearing up the terminology. And for agreeing that it would seem like a no-brainer. But like you, I am shocked that with most modern homes having wireless routers these days, no one sells decorative wall clocks that connect wirelessly to one. I've been looking now for a couple years. Still nothing other than major institutional time pieces designed for office, schools, and businesses.

Someone Somewhere · Apr 2, 2014

Hmm. Almost sounds like a place for a kickstarter project.

I think the issue is that for an analog clock, you have to have an accurate means of detecting the position of the hands - not easy.

clutchc · Apr 2, 2014

Well, my current analog "atomic" clock sets itself (when it finally gets a darn signal). The hands just spin around until it gets to the correct time. (I use the term 'correct time' loosely...lol)

You should see it in the Autumn when we 'fall back' an hour. The minute hand makes 11 full revolutions rather that going backward one revolution. But I'd be perfectly happy with that if it just used my router instead of the NPT. Oh well...

clutchc · Apr 3, 2014

@abrahamjobs
Thanks. But those are a bit too institutional for hanging in a residential environment like a living room or dinning room. At least the ones I was able to see. I may have missed some.

I did find this example of a "wi-fi" clock. I presume this is a clock that syncs to one's home router. It's a bit plain, but it's the best I've found so far.
http://www.atsclock.com/items/wifi-analog-clocks-wood-case.cfm?catID=151
And it seems to be a lot more expensive that it needs to be. I'd really not prefer to pay that kind of price for a plain round clock, although I'm sure the wood is excellent.

Someone Somewhere · Apr 3, 2014

GPS is the other thing that could be interesting. But there's still few of those around.

I think the analog clock is just about the only one that I currently have to change manually...

clutchc · Apr 4, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

I think that is going to have to be my solution. Just go back to a manual-set analog wall clock that has the appearance I desire. It's just that it amazes me that there are tons of so-called 'atomic' clocks for home decor out there, but no wi-fi clocks. Can the wi-fi technology be that much more expensive to implement than the NTP?

Any way, thanks for the replies.

Someone Somewhere · Apr 4, 2014

NTP=Network Time Protocol; it's what you'd run over WiFi.

You need a WiFi radio (which sucks power), plus enough electronics to run a basic TCP/IP stack. Then you have to have some way of authenticating it, and WPS is now a big no-no.

What I'm wondering is why nobody is using GPS as a time-source for this.

martin0 · Dec 11, 2014

For anyone feeling adventurous, here's a homemade GPS clock

http://quaxio.com/arduino_gps/
There's bound to be similar for WiFi

Someone Somewhere · Dec 11, 2014

martin0 :

GPS modules that spit out the time via serial are easy to find. At most a few hundred lines of code required, and there's no authentication needed.

WiFi is a different beast entirely. Two way communication is needed, and you need to provide authentication creds.

JohnRS · Jul 13, 2015

abrahamjobs :

Check out Communication Systems Solutions - Time Machines, http://www.css-timemachines.com/ They have some $200 USD models using NTP. One is PoE and the other is regular Ethernet or WiFi. I just got one and like it quite a bit.

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