Originally Posted by
Melanie
Are the crystals you are using the same Capacitance as that required by the RTC - ie 12.5pF? Probably not. Is your xtal 32768.0000000Hz? Probably not. Is your xtal in an environmentally controlled and regulated oven? Probably not. Have you added any Trimming Capacitors to get the frequency spot-on? Probably not. Have you Phase Locked the xtal to WWV? Probably not. At only 5 seconds/day, you're doing damn good!!!
In any event, the Maxim RTC's are not that great. They work, sure, but not that spectacular, and they are hellishly overpriced for what they are. $1 for a DS1307? Who are you kidding Maxim!