Digital alarm clock problem

5 years ago

I have a Sharp digital alarm clock. The model is SPC051.

Recently, rather than show me the actual time, it shows me the time I've set for the alarm.

Sometimes it flickers back and forth between the actual time and alarm time.

The alarm can use either batteries or electricity. I use the latter.

Just for fun, if I wanted to try to repair it myself what would I need to look for after opening it? I'm hoping someone who knows electronics might give me some suggestions.

Like I said, this is just for fun. I just want to poke around with it.

This is the manual: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5981efb0a803bbbae7d4bd2a/t/59ea401a64b05fbf30c153bd/1508524064104/SPC051_IM_OL.pdf

Two days ago I opened up the alarm clock.

I then cleaned the inside with a 1:1 mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. This is all I had.

I then waited a night for it to dry out.

Then yesterday I screwed the clock back together.

It's slightly better. But the problem came back. It will show me the time, then show me the alarm time (7:00am) before switching back to show me the time.

Below are photos:

When it's opened up:

Here it's showing me the time:

Then it, after a few seconds or minutes, it will suddenly show me the time I've set for the alarm:

I wonder what could be the problem. All the wires appear well connected.

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Comments (6)

sushipup1
5 years ago
I know how to fix it for only $10.

https://www.amazon.com/Sharp-Compact-Alarm-Clock-SPC538A/dp/B01MTMAAUL/ref=asc_df_B01MTMAAUL/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=220392916952&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17780489124667732219&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007296&hvtargid=pla-361234059835&psc=1
kaseki
5 years ago
Does the switch that is supposed to allow you to see and set the alarm seem to be erratic? That is, moving it between positions leads to variable time/alarm time display. If so, your problem is likely the switch. It could have dust in it or contact corrosion.

If moving the switch back and forth doesn't help, perhaps a drop of a contact cleaner might help (OR NOT). "Pro Gold" contact enhancer might also help. Note that these are experimental suggestions and your clock issue may be made worse, particularly if the agent spreads too far. If you have air pressure, you might try a modest blast around the switch gap.

When using water for cleaning electronics, use either distilled water or reverse osmosis water (that you know is near zero conductivity).
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Stax
5 years ago
1. Can of compressed air
2. Trash it
mtvhike
5 years ago
Obviously replacing would be the easiest and, perhaps, the cheapest. But I think the OP wants to figure out what's wrong and fix it! I think Kaseki has some good points.
kaseki
5 years ago
I'll certainly admit that a bottle of Pro Gold will cost more than the Sharp clock listed at Amazon.
toxcrusadr
5 years ago
There isn't a switch on this that switches back and forth between time of day and alarm time. They are separate buttons you hold down when you set either one. Therefore it can't be a failed switch.

However, one way it could display the alarm time 'by itself' would be if the contacts for that Alarm button are almost touching even when the button is not depressed. So check the mechanism for that button and make sure nothing is bent a little out of shape or compressed. It may be a membrane switch (probably is) and you may or may not be able to get inside of it, but as long as everything you can see is the same as the other buttons there's not a lot you can do there.

It could be a brain problem, in the chip that runs the whole shebang. In which case you're screwed. Or if there is a component like a tiny capacitor, resistor etc. that is activated by pressing that button, and it's intermittent or failed, it could be replaced, but you'd have to figure out which part and it's probably a pain to work on.

Also you can try freezing it. An intermittent electronic part will often act right (or act wrong constantly) if you spray it with freeze spray. If you don't have that, put the entire clock in the freezer for a few hours, then plug it in (uh, make sure it's not going to condense a bunch of water from the room air and cause a short or shock - put it in a sealed plastic bag before freezing). If that makes a difference, you probably need a new clock.