Varitext clock

[srob]

Not really a PBP question. But I have a ex-BR station clock (Big red, cluncky thing!), that seems to work ok. Except it requires a serial I/P (time data) to run. Does anyone know the data/protocols needed for this type of clock?

If so I could mimic it with a PIC and never be late for work again!

Thanks.

[Rob Martin]

You could also try looking at railway enthusiast websites as no doubt there are some collectors out there with the whole setup.

More than likely (if the clocks are old) the clocks are driven via rs485
take a look here for some info
http://www.thebelfry.force9.co.uk/holidays/st-lucia02/pages/msfclock.htm

Is there no manufacturer name on the pcb etc?

Rob

[Ghostrider]

Hi srob,

The clock will likely be a Varitext clock. They work with RS232, 485, 422 and 20mA current loop. The protocol is called TIMC - T:HH:MM:SS:DOW:DD:MM:YY CR/LF (0D0Ah)

H= Hrs, M=mins, S=secs, DOW = day of week 0 being Sunday, D = day of month, M = month, Y= year This is transmitted at 1200baud as i remember! But the clock is configurable for anything from 300baud to 9600baud. Some also work with just the time info part (T:HH:MM:SS)

PM me and i can send you the test software (as DOS based tool) that will send the clock time data a from PC.

Cheers,

Steve.

[Ghostrider]

Replace the smiley faces with 'colon D' :D