Model IMP-2 Low Cost Slave Clock Impulser
Converts your slave clock to a working timepiece
without modifying its original mechanism.
·
The
PIEXX IMP-2 allows you to put your slave clock back into operation without
modifying its original, historically significant mechanism.
·
Will
produce either 1 to 60 impulses per minute for American or Gents, Brille
mechanisms.
·
Will
produce either unipolar or bipolar (polarity reversing) clock pulses.
·
Accurate,
microprocessor based design will keep time to within a minute a year.
·
Battery
operated from 3.5-6VDC batteries. No other battery voltages required!
·
Easy
installation.
·
Hour
/ minute advance retard feature allows for easy setting.
·
Ready
to go for 12-24 VDC clocks.
The IMP-2 is only 2.05” x 1.85”
IMP-2 Inside Stromberg Clock. The 2 white wires
connect to the strike mechanism.
IMP-2 Inside Gents Clock. Since the Gents Mechanism
is Bipolar, clock leads are Connected to Pins 1 & 3 of the IMP-2 terminal
Strip.
IMP-2 Connected to a Brille Movement. Brille uses
the same connections as a Gents.
Installation
1. Install
your IMP-2, and its battery pack, in a convenient spot in your clock. These
components may be secured with screws, or double stick foam tape. If you elect
to screw down the IMP-2, be sure to use Ľ” or greater standoffs to insulate the
rear of the board from any metallic enclosure.
2. If you
are using the IMP-2 to run a Standard Electric, IBM, International, Stromberg
or other unipolar clock mechanism, install the 2, stripped, connection leads
from your clock mechanism to the bottom 2 connections on the J2 (green)
terminal strip. If you are using a bipolar, or polarity reversing type of clock
mechanism, connect the clock leads between terminals 1 and 3 of the J2 terminal
strip. If you are using a bipolar installation, you will not be able to make
use of the hour strike feature of the IMP-2.
3. Install 4
fresh alkaline batteries in the battery pack. If you want to power the IMP-2
from a wall supply, you may connect it to the P1 power jack in place of the
battery supply. Use a regulated 5VDC wall power supply like those commonly used
on USB or Ethernet hubs. The 2.1mm power connector is set up to accept a
3.5-6VDC center positive connector. Under no circumstances
should you apply more than 6VDC to this connector!
4. If you
are using a unipolar clock motor, there exists an extra output that can be used
to sound an hour striking or ships watch bell. If you would like to use this
feature, connect the bell strike solenoid between the upper two connections,
pins 2 and 3, of terminal strip J2. You will have 2 wires, one to the strike
mechanism and one to the clock motor in the center connection on J2.
Operation
All of the IMP-2s parameters are entered via two
push buttons, SET and ADV. Program feedback is
displayed on 3 LEDs, SET, ADV and MODE. In addition there is a LED, labeled Impulse, that shows the status of the IMP-2s 24VDC internal
power enable. In general, the Impulse LED will light up just prior to
the clock mechanism advance pulse.
Number Entry and Display:
Through out these instructions you will notice that
there are certain numeric parameters that are either displayed or entered. In
all cases the display and entry follows the following convention:
·
Display – Numeric values are displayed by blinking the LED
associated with that parameter. The blinking LED will be a series of long
flashes, indicating tens units, followed by a series of short flashes,
indicating the single units. A long flash lasts ˝ second and a short flash
lasts 1/10 of a second. The numeric value, indicated by the flashing LED
sequence, is generally repeated until another function is performed. As an
example, the value 32 will be shown on the LED display as 3 long flashes
followed by 2 short flashes.
·
Entry – Numeric values are entered in much the same way
as they are displayed. To enter tens units, press and hold the button
associated with the parameter to be entered for a period of at least ˝ second.
To enter single units, press the button quickly. While in the numeric entry
mode simultaneously pressing the SET + ADVANCE buttons
will clear the number to its initial value. If you simultaneously press the SET + ADVANCE buttons a second time, the entry mode will be
stopped.
Entering the Parameter Set
Up Mode:
The parameters that control the way that the IMP-2
operates with your clock are entered through various mode values. In many cases
the mode data associated with the more common slave clocks may be
simultaneously preset by simply selecting the appropriate clock type in the
first mode. In order to enter the Set Up Mode, simultaneously press and hold,
for about a second, the SET + ADVANCE buttons. Upon entering the Set Up Mode, the MODE LED will flash the numeric value of the currently
selected mode, indicating which mode value you are viewing, and the SET LED will flash the value of that mode, or what it
is equal to. The first mode entered, after simultaneously pressing the SET + ADVANCE buttons, will always be the Set
Clock type mode, which is mode 1
.
For
many installations, mode 1, the Set Clock Type mode, is the only mode value you
will need to set.
The Set
Clock Type mode acts as a
preset for the other clock settings. There are 5 available presets
associated with the Set Clock Type mode:
1. Standard
Electric, Stromberg – This is the most commonly used Clock Type.
2. IBM,
International- Used with the slower ‘meter movement’ style IBM clocks.
3. Gents,
other European- This is the Clock type to use with alternating polarity, 2
impulse per minute slave clocks common in Europe.
4. Modern
Stromberg Clocks
5. Manual
setup- If this clock type is selected, you can manually adjust the various
clock parameters.
6. Brille -
If you have an IMP-2 manufactured after January 2007, then clock type 6 is the
appropriate setting for the low voltage alternating polarity Brille clocks.
Also the latest firmware advances the clock at even time intervals throughout
the minute. For example, if the IMP-2 is set to generate 2 pulses per minute,
then the clock will advance every 30 seconds.
To move
between the various clock types, press the SET button. Each time you
press the SET button, the SET LED will begin flashing
the new Clock Type value selected. In order for the Clock Type selected to take
effect, simultaneously press and hold, for about a second, the SET + ADVANCE buttons. Entry of the new Clock
Type preset will be acknowledged by 4 alternating flashes on the SET and ADVANCE LEDs.
Other Clock Set Up
Parameters (modes):
If the clock set up parameters preset with Clock
Type mode are not to your liking, you may override these values by selecting
the manual setup, that is a value of 5 in the Clock Type mode, mode 1. If
manual mode is selected in the Clock Type setting, you can advance to the other
11 parameter setting modes by pressing the ADV button. As you would
expect, the MODE LED will flash the value of the currently selected
mode. You will not be able to advance
to other modes unless the Clock Type mode is set to 5, the manual setup mode. You
may leave the Mode Setting menu by simultaneously pressing and holding, for
about a second, the SET + ADVANCE buttons. Alternatively, the IMP-2 will automatically exit the
Set Mode menu if you don’t make any key entry for about 2 minutes.
Below is a description of what each of the 11 modes
adjust in the IMP-2:
1.
Clock Type Mode – As previously
decribed.
2.
Clock
Pulse Width- This mode sets and shows the relative pulse width of the clock
advance pulse. The pulse width will be different depending on the manufacturer
of the clock mechanism that you will be operating. In all cases you should use the
lowest value that will reliably operate your clock mechanism. The lower the
Clock Pulse Width value, the shorter will be the duration of the clock
actuation pulse and the longer your batteries will last. The Solenoid style
mechanisms used in Standard Electric, Stromberg and some IBM mechanism will
generally work with clock pulse widths in the order of 6-10. The ‘meter
movement’ styles of IBM or International mechanisms require a longer pulse in
the neighborhood of 20-30. If your mechanism is dirty and sluggish, and you
compensate by applying a greater clock pulse width, you will pay by reducing
the battery life of the IMP-2!
3.
Clock
Voltage Mode- The IMP-2 can either produce 12 or 24 volt clock advance
pulses as indicated by the value indicated in Mode 3. The IMP-2 will generate
24V DC clock advance pulses if mode 3 is set to 1. If mode 3 is set to 2, the
IMP-2 will generate 12 VDC clock advance pulses.
4.
Advance Pulses per minute Mode- The value of mode 4
will determine
the number of pulses sent to your clock mechanism each minute. Most clocks
require 1 advance pulse per minute, but you can set mode 4 to generate multiple
pulse each minute.
5.
Clock Advance Unipolar or Bipolar Mode - Most of the mechanism that
we come into contact with are unipolar. That is, they don’t require an
alternating polarity clock impulse. There are some mechanisms that require a
bipolar or alternating polarity clock advance impulse. Setting mode 5 to a
value of 1 will set up the IMP-2 for unipolar operation. A value of 2, in mode
5, sets the IMP-2 for bipolar operation. If you choose the bipolar mode, the 2nd
IMP-2 output will not be available for strike operations
6.
Speed
Up clock Mode- Entering a value of between 1 and 99 in mode 6 will cause the
IMP-2 to run faster by the numeric value entered times .1 seconds per day. In
other words, if you enter a value of 10 into mode 6, the clock will run faster
by 1 second each day. Although the IMP-2s crystal oscillator is very accurate,
use of this mode will allow you to really fine tune the running speed of the
clock.
7.
Slow
Down clock Mode- Entering a value of between 1 and 99 in mode 6 will cause the
IMP-2 to run fslower by the numeric value entered times .1 seconds per day. In
other words, if you enter a value of 10 into mode 6, the clock will run slower
by 1 second each day.
8.
Minute
Set Mode- This mode is used to synchronize the minute hand with the strike
operation of the IMP-2. The value entered will be between 0 and 59 and should
correspond with the current setting of your clocks minute hand. If you are not
planning on using the strike mode of the IMP-2, there is no need to set this
mode parameter.
9.
Hour
Set Mode- This mode is used to synchronize the hour hand with the strike
operation of the IMP-2. The value entered will be between 0 and 23 and should
correspond with the current setting of your clocks hour hand. If you are not
planning on using the strike mode of the IMP-2, there is no need to set this
mode parameter.
10. Chime
Style Mode- This mode sets the type of strike that the IMP-2 will generate.
The 5 values that can be selected are:
1 = Hour strike.
2 = Hour + half hour strike.
3 = Ships watch strike.
4 = Westminster strike (requires optional board).
5 = Strike deactivated.
11. Strike
Pulse Width Mode- This mode adjusts the width of the pulse sent to the strike
mechanism. The pulse width will be different depending on the striking
mechanism you adopt, but as with the clock advance pulse, the lower the number
the longer your batteries will last. Typically the strike pulse width will be a
very small number, 1-5, and the tone and volume of the bell will be affected by
the value selected. Again, if you are not planning on using the strike mode of
the IMP-2, there is no need to set this mode parameter.
Setting the Time:
To Advance the time
of your clock by hours, press the ADV button the number of hours you would like to
advance. The advance hour mode of operation is indicated by the SET and MODE LEDs
being illuminated. The number of hours, to advance will be indicated by the
number of flashes of the ADV LED in the format previously
discussed. To institute the time change, press the SET key. At
this time the clock will begin to advance by the number of hours that you
programmed. You may terminate the advancing of the clock by pressing either the
SET or ADV buttons.
To Advance the time
of your clock by minutes, press and hold the ADV button for about ˝ second. The
advance minutes mode of operation is indicated by the SET LED
being illuminated. You can add additional minutes by multiple short presses of
the ADV button, or in 10 minute quantities by longer presses of the ADV key. To
institute the time change, press the SET key.
To Retard the
time, use the same procedure as that indicated for advancing the time but
institute the time change by pressing and holding the SET key for
about ˝ second. Retarding the clock by more than an hour is accomplished by
sending multiple minute advances until the correct retarded time is achieved.
Retarding the clock by 1 hour or less is accomplished by stopping the impulse
stream for as many minutes as programmed. When the IMP-2 is in the holding time
mode, the ADV, MODE and SET LEDs
will rhythmically strobe to the left.
Synchronizing the clock
to the nearest second may be accomplished by pressing the SET button,
to enter the Synchronize mode as
indicated by the SET
and Impulse LEDs lighting, followed by
another press of the SET button at the time you would like the clock to advance to
the next minute. If you don’t make the second press of the SET button
within 2 minutes, the IMP-2 will automatically exit the Synchronize mode.
Strike Test- You can force the IMP-2 to strike the current hour setting by pressing and holding the SET button for about ˝ second.
Adjusting The Speed of the
Clock:
The speed of the IMP-2 can be adjusted in increments
of .1 seconds per day, up to a maximum of +/- 12 seconds a day, by a parameter
entry via either mode 6 or mode 7. Before making these speed
adjustments, you should make sure that your clock mechanism is faithfully
advancing each time it receives an impulse from the IMP-1DC. Adjusting the
IMP-1DC’s speed to compensate for a mechanical error is a bad idea! To adjust the IMP-2 to run faster, input a value
through mode 6 and then simultaneously press and hold the Set and ADV buttons
for ˝ second or longer. Similarly, to adjust the IMP-2 to run slower, input a value through mode 7 and then
press and hold the Set and ADV buttons for ˝ second or longer. Each unit
entered will cause the IMP-2 to run either faster or slower by 1/10 of a second
per day. As an example, if you enter the value 15 via mode 6, the clock will
run 1.5 seconds faster per day. When you leave either mode 6 or 7, the LEDs
will display the total accumulated clock speed by first sequencing the LEDS to
either the left or the right (left for slower, right for faster running)
followed by the MODE LED blinking the speed the clock is adjusted for. If the
speed of the clock is set at the factory default, that is the clock is not
adjusted to run faster or slower, then the SET and ADV LEDs will alternately
blink. This factory default setting can easily be restored by the following
procedure:
1.
Enter Mode 6
2.
Simultaneously press but do
not hold the Set and ADV buttons. This clears the input value as noted by
the SET LED not blinking.
3.
Simultaneously press and hold the
Set and ADV buttons for ˝ second, exiting the Adjust time mode.
Since this procedure restores the factor default
clock speed, you will notice that, after step 3, the SET and ADV LEDs will
alternately blink.
A 24VDC Solenoid mounted inside
of a 4” Bell for Hour Strike
Mode
MENU Overview
Mode
1- Set Clock type:
1. Standard
Electric, Stromberg
2. International,
IBM
3. Gents
4. Late
model Stromberg
5. Manual
Set-up
6. Brille
Mode
2- Clock Advance Pulse Width:
Mode
3- Clock Advance Voltage:
1 = 24 VDC, 2 = 12 VDC
Mode
4- Advance Pulses per minute:
Mode
5- Clock Advance Unipolar or Bipolar Mode:
1 = Clock connected between terminal strip pins 1 and 2. Single polarity clock pulse.
2 = Alternating polarity clock pulse. Clock connected between terminal strip pins 1 and 3. Note: When alternating clock advance polarity is used, hour strike functions are disabled.
Mode
6- Speed Advance:
Speed up clock, each unit is .1
seconds / day (0-99)
Mode
7- Speed Retard:
Slow down clock, each unit is .1
seconds / day (0-99)
Mode
8- Minute Set:
Sets the minutes part of the time of
day (0-59)
Mode
9- Hour Set:
Sets the hours part of the time of day
(0-23)
Mode
10- Chime Style:
1 = Hour strike.
2 = Hour + half hour strike.
3 = Ships watch strike.
4 = Westminster strike (requires optional board).
5 = Strike deactivated.
Mode
11- Strike Pulse Width:
Links: