I'm not on the forum every day Chris, yesterday was an exception.

Firstly, with the DS1994, I've never actually played with one. That code I wrote with Ralph was 100% on paper with detail just from the Datasheet. I would assume, that you write to the Real-Time Alarm Register exactly the same way as you would for the Clock Register. Try it, set the time, advance five minutes in software and Set the RTC Alarm Register. Then just wait and continuously poll the Alarm Flag and see what happens five minutes hence.

Secondly, with regard to the DS1302... I've only used the DS1307. The accuracy is about +/- 20 minutes in a year (with a junk crystal). Batteries (CR2032 type) I've never had run out, some units have been in service for over five years.

Thirdly, I don't think you need a clock at all. A PIC will do everything 100%. What you have is a simple application (I know because I've done something very similar with a time delay of about 14 months!!!!).