[E-Type] Dash battery clock

E-Type
1

Has anyone found a battery for the dash clock, installed in a 69
2+2, I was informed that the battery was a 1.5V but I am not
sure. has anyone any idea’s beside changing it to the 12V that
needs to be modified to fit the dash board. ?–
Big Cat
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2

In reply to a message from Big Cat sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

Big Cat:

Obviously you are on the ‘Left Coast’.

Even if you can find a battery, the clock will in all
probability not work. Suggest this:

Cheap rebuild if you are somewhat mechanically minded. Buy a
quartz clock, less than 2’’ dial, from your local ‘‘Dollar
Store’’. Dismantle it. Take the ‘Smiths’ out and dismantle
that one. Use a glue gun to re-assemble the quartz, using
the original needles (cut off the alarm needle and use
‘‘White-Out’’ to repaint the needles.). A spot of glue here
and there will allow you to re-assemble the Smiths with the
offshore/Olympic quartz.

Cost me less than $5.00 and took about an hour.

Cheers,

Bruce–
RB '69 ots, 2005 X-Type Sportwagon, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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3

In reply to a message from ahrbruz sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

I got a standard Duracell AA battery and soldered a wire to each
end, then made a little plastic block to allow me to wedge the
other end of the wires into the place where the battery would go.
The battery then just dangles behind the clock. I also had to
replace the thin wires on the clock itself as these had corroded
internally, but apart from that the clock worked fine.

The original battery is meant to be 2 volts, but it doesn’t seem to
mind running at 1.5 volts at all.–
'69 Series 2 2+2
Hertford, United Kingdom
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4

In reply to a message from Tim Roberts sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

Radio Shack carries a plastic AA battery holder for a couple of
bucks that comes with the wires that you simply solder to the
existing clock wires to the original battery holder. They are a
cinch to instal, and work great. The AA size battery in the holder
fits nicely under the clock hold-down clamp on the back of the
clock, and is easily lifted up/out for changing the battery.–
Tom Hishon, 1969 E-type 2+2, 1969 E-type OTS
Wasilla, Alaska, United States
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5

In reply to a message from kassaq sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

I have just replaced my old fat PC1A battery with a 1.5 volt
camera/watch battery ( cost less than $2) by using a short piece
of brass pipe as a spacer - works perfectly

These clocks, unlike the old ones in the tacho, are in fact very
reliable–
christopher storey
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6

In reply to a message from Big Cat sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

The original battery was a mercury cell which put out 1.3 volts.
It can be replaced with a 1.5 volt battery by wiring an appropriate
battery holder to the clock. The extra voltage will not damage the
clock, but some users have had their clock run too fast to be
adjusted correctly. Also, as the AA battery ages the voltage
drops, which slows the clock, so it will need constant adjustment
as time goes by.

The S2 clocks were quite reliable compared to the S1 clocks.
However, sometimes the balance wheel disintegrates. If that
happens I can upgrade it with a quartz movement.

www.jaguarclock.com–
The original message included these comments:

Has anyone found a battery for the dash clock, installed in a 69
2+2, I was informed that the battery was a 1.5V but I am not
sure. has anyone any idea’s beside changing it to the 12V that
needs to be modified to fit the dash board. ?

–
Michael Eck
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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7

…that is what happened to mine, and what I had to do. Now I adjust it twice a year, when daylight savings time starts, and when it ends.
LLoyd–
Insofar as mathematics applies to
reality it is not certain, and
so far as mathematics is certain
it does not apply to reality.
Einstein

-------------- Original message ----------------------

… The S2 clocks were quite reliable compared to the S1 clocks.
However, sometimes the balance wheel disintegrates. If that
happens I can upgrade it with a quartz movement.

www.jaguarclock.com

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8

In reply to a message from soothsayer1@comcast.net sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

Thanks All, I will try some of the suggestions, and if all else
fails, I will buy one of the cheep quartz clocks and adapt it.–
Big Cat
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9

In reply to a message from Big Cat sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

Check out Mike Eck’s Jaguar clock. He has a battery system
that works. I have it in my '69.
AMM–
somewhat trick '69 fhc
Pennington, New Jersey, United States
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10

In reply to a message from Big Cat sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

For the purists, look at eBay #270235146264 for a 1.5v
‘‘drop-in’’ Duracell replacement cell (in lieu of 2.0v OEM
mercury cell). Various battery suppliers have these for
similar prices, just Google the any of the model numbers
(PC1A, MR8504, SR8504, A1PX, EPX1, 1A, 1100A, V1PX). There
is a silver oxide cell available (SR850), but it is about
1mm longer goes for over $50 each! Good luck,–
The original message included these comments:

Has anyone found a battery for the dash clock, installed in a 69
2+2, I was informed that the battery was a 1.5V but I am not
sure. has anyone any idea’s beside changing it to the 12V that
needs to be modified to fit the dash board. ?

–
Kent
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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11

In reply to a message from Big Cat sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

A replacement for this battery is LR-50, also known as PC1A,
MR8504, SR8504, A1PX, EPX1, 1A, 1100A, V1PX. These alkaline
cells cost less than $5 each, are 1.5v and fit the original
clock battery slot. A longer life (2-4 times) silver oxide
cell is also available, but is very expensive at about $50
each. Just Google for sources or search eBay. Good luck,–
The original message included these comments:

Has anyone found a battery for the dash clock, installed in a 69
2+2, I was informed that the battery was a 1.5V but I am not

–
Kent
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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12

In reply to a message from Big Cat sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

Also available at your local Radio Shack, #23-9011,
currently $5.99. Good luck,–
The original message included these comments:

Has anyone found a battery for the dash clock, installed in a 69
2+2, I was informed that the battery was a 1.5V but I am not

–
Kent
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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13

In reply to a message from Big Cat sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

Here is a pricey, but one time conversion alternative from
the UK:

Good luck,–
The original message included these comments:

sure. has anyone any idea’s beside changing it to the 12V that
needs to be modified to fit the dash board. ?

–
Kent
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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14

In reply to a message from Big Cat sent Tue 26 Aug 2008:

The original battery in this clock was model MR50, or
equivalent, which was a mercury oxide cell producing about
1.35v. Mercury cells have since been banned due to
environmental concerns. Alkaline replacement cells are
readily available and produce 1.5v, like the AA or AAA cell
solutions recommended by others here.

There are some replacement cells of other composition (e.g.,
silver oxide, zinc-air, etc.) that are closer in voltage to
the old mercury cell, but are pricey, less available and not
necessarily required for the unsophisticated clock mechanism.

Also, there is a commercially available converter in the UK
(MR-50 Adapter. Replacement for PX1, RM1, H-P or MR50 discontinued Mercury cells.),
that uses a #357 silver oxide cell, but is very pricey
delivered in $US.

With regard to home made converters, polarity is a concern
because the original cell ‘‘button’’ end was negative, not
positive like most other dry cells. The positive end of the
installed cell is connected to chassis ground through the
clock body. In other words, you have a positive ground
clock with an isolated power supply, in a negative ground
car. Therefore, any conversion circuit to reduce the
+12-14v car system voltage also would have to convert
polarity so that its output was NEGATIVE 1.3 to 1.5v with
respect to the negative chassis ground of all cars for which
this clock was original equipment.

Therefore, I believe the simplest solution is the 1.5v
alkaline replacement cell. It is model #PC1A, or equivalent
(e.g., LR50, PX1A, 1A, 1100A, V1PX, EPX1, etc.) and is
readily available at full source battery suppliers, Radio
Shack (#23-9011) or regularly on eBay. Good luck,–
The original message included these comments:

Has anyone found a battery for the dash clock, installed in a 69
2+2, I was informed that the battery was a 1.5V but I am not
sure. has anyone any idea’s beside changing it to the 12V that
needs to be modified to fit the dash board. ?

–
Kent
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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