Solano County, California

do-it-yourself

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D.I.Y. Talking Clock is a switch activated clock designed for use by individuals who have low vision or are blind. It may also be used for individuals with limited upper extremity mobility, strength and coordination. Users can press the switch to hear the time.

Materials:

Talking Clock

3.5 millimeters mono headphone socket

Thin wire (e.g 7 strand 0.2 millimeters).

Soldering iron (15 to 30 Watt power)

Thin solder

Soldering flux

Desoldering braid.

Cordless drill with 2 drill bits (1 x ¼ inches; 1 x 2 millimeters / very small)

Knife or wire strippers

Small screwdriver set.

Technical Specifications:

Step 1: Drill a hole

Open up the casing. Make a small pilot hole where there is enough space to house your 3.5 millimeters socket. Drill a ¼ inches hole (circled in yellow), being careful to stop as soon as you're through.

Step 2: Unscrew the PCB

Unscrew the Printed Circuit Board (PCB), and gently pull it down.

Step 3: Locate Talk Switch

With this Clock, there are two 'Talk' switches both covered with white foam. Peel this, and the metal contact off, and then discard.

If you touch a piece of wire between the inner and outer circle, this will make a contact, and the clock should speak. Remove the batteries.

Step 4: Drill two holes

Scribe two small pilot holes in the board, then very carefully drill 2x 2 millimeters holes as pictured.

Step 5: Solder your socket

As not all sockets are connected alike, you will need to find which 2 of the 3 contacts you need to solder to.

Attach a test lamp or multi-meter to any 2 contacts. Plug in your switch, and then press it. If the lamp comes on when pressed you have the right connections, otherwise try a different combination. There are only 3 possibilities.

Solder two lengths of wire to the socket. Expose the ends, tinning them if you wish.

Step 6: Solder to the PCB

Solder your socket to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) switch connections, aiming to have nothing jutting out from the board.

Blow on the board to cool it down as soon as the solder flows. Too much heat could damage the workings of the device.

Step 7: Reassemble

Put the PCB back in place, and screw the 3.5mm socket into the casing. Test the device with a switch. If all seems OK, put it all back together being careful, when tightening up the socket, not to twist the wires too much.

Step 8: Full Test

Test the unit with a switch several times, and then leave it alone for a few minutes. If it activates by it's self repeatedly, there's probably a short circuit. Pull it apart again, and examine the accuracy of your soldering carefully, especially on the socket.

Text and images PUBLIC DOMAIN 2001, 2004 - www.OneSwitch.org.uk

Jumbo Display Talking Clock (c) Zeon Tech