From Pointinthecloud · · 1m 30s
Portobello Clock Fix
Community fixes Portobello Police Station clock after buying building.
In brief
Community fixes Portobello Police Station clock after buying building. Action Porty fixed Portobello Police Station clock by adjusting time and chime mechanisms with community help. Originally reported by Pointinthecloud.
Friend's Clock Fix Invite
A friend asked if I'd help fix the Portobello Police Station clock with them this Saturday.
“Can you help keep Portobello on time? Action Porty has recently bought the Police Station for the community, but we can't work out how to change the time on the clock tower!”
Clock Tower Challenge
We needed to climb high up to reach the clock tower, which required steep ladders and heights.
“If we were to fix the clock we would be next to it and so we would also be high up.”
Clock Mechanism Discovery
The clock had three faces driven by a motor through gears, with a pawl to adjust the time.
“We found a pawl on one of the gears which could be lifted out of the way.”
Time Setting Success
We set the time by disconnecting the motor, adjusting the hands, and checking the clock was running forward.
“We could set the time by imagining the hand we couldn't see opposite to each counterweight.”
Chime System Mystery
The chime used a 2001 PIC 16F628 microcontroller with relays and a battery, but the button did nothing.
“The box contained a PIC 16F628 microcontroller which had a suspected date-code of 2001.”
Chime Mechanism Fix
We learned the chime system needed the 'advance' button held for seconds to chime once per hour.
“The 'advance' button needs to be held for a few seconds before anything happens.”
Time Check Confirmation
At 4pm, the clock chimed four times and showed the correct time outside.
“Come 4pm and the bell chimed 4 times. Dongggggg.”
Community Celebrations
We celebrated with beer and burgers at the Portobello tap, and Lucy the dog joined us.
“Lucy the dog came to join us and she was very quick to point out how starved she was.”
Future Clock Enhancements
They planned custom chimes for holidays, LED lighting, and remote controls for special occasions.
“Have a box with more control of the chime times in case 8am is too early for chimes to start.”
Community Ownership Success
Action Porty successfully fixed the clock and plans to keep the police station community-owned.
“It was fun. It was a fun afternoon, and thank you for the invite.”
The main idea
Action Porty fixed Portobello Police Station clock by adjusting time and chime mechanisms with community help.
