La Crosse WT-3181p User Manual
MANUAL TIME SET
BUTTON
PACIFIC TIME
CENTRAL TIME
La Crosse Technology
Radio Controlled Analog Clock
Quick set up instructions
Welcome to the world of radio controlled timekeeping technology. We hope you will
enjoy the convenience of never having to set your clock again and the confidence of
knowing exactly what time it is
.
•
Twist and lift open the battery
compartment cover at the
back of the clock and insert 1
fresh AA, LR6 1.5 volt
ALKALINE battery according
to the polarity marked on the
case.
•
Press time zone button to
select a time zone.
•
Replace the battery
compartment cover.
THAT’S IT! During the night your clock will automatically set itself.
For a better understanding of how and why your clock works please continue reading.
NOTHING IS MORE PRECISELY MEASURED THAN TIME!
And nothing keeps track of time more precisely and trouble free than La Crosse
Technology radio controlled clocks.
Since the beginning of time, man has been fascinated with the measurement of time and
has devised more accurate machines to trap and measure time. Today, time is precisely
measured in the United States by the most accurate clock in North America, the Atomic Clock of
the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, Time and Frequency Division in
Boulder, Colorado. A team of atomic physicists continually measures every second of every day
to an accuracy of ten billionths of a second per day. These physicists have created an
international standard, measuring a second as 9,192,631,770 vibrations of a Cesium 133 atom
in a vacuum. This atomic clock regulates the WWVB radio transmitter located in Fort Collins,
Colorado, where the exact time signal is continuously broadcast throughout the United States at
60 kHz to take advantage of stable long wave radio paths found in that frequency range. Radio
waves at these low frequencies use the earth and the ionosphere as a wave-guide and follow
the curvature of the earth for long distances.
The built in antenna system will receive the WWVB signal anywhere in North America
within 2000 miles of Fort Collins where long-wave radio reception is undisturbed. A
microprocessor activates the receiver and processes the time signal from Fort Collins overnight.
Through the radio signals, La Crosse Technology radio controlled clocks always keep
precise time. The changeover from standard time to daylight saving time, and vice versa, takes
place automatically with the same precision.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
To set up your clock simply install one fresh AA, LR6 ALKALINE battery. Due to the
nature of long wave radio signals it is normally not possible to receive a signal during the day so
it is best to install the battery late in the evening. Select your time zone by pressing one of the
four time zone buttons PT-Pacific Time, MT-Mountain Time, CT-Central Time, ET-Eastern
Time. The time zone buttons may be pressed any time after installing the batteries. If multiple
buttons are pressed the clock will set to the time zone selected last. If no time zone is selected
the clock will default to Pacific Time. Another time zone can be selected during or after the
clock has set itself. Your clock can only set itself to one of the four time zones stated above.
For time zones outside of PT, MT, CT or ET you must manually set the time using the Manual
Time set button on the back of the movement.
Once the battery is installed the clock will begin searching for a signal. For the initial
setting it is recommended to stand the clock in an upright position near a window. Within five
minutes the clock will either receive the WWVB signal and set itself to the exact time, or it will
determine that the signal is not receivable at its current location and time of day. If a signal is
not receivable it will fast-forward the hands to the 4, 8, or 12 o’clock position and search for
WWVB each hour until a signal is received. If the time is manually set the clock will continue to
periodically search for a signal and automatically reset the hands when the signal is received.
The La Crosse Technology clock is designed for indoor or outdoor use. For indoor locations,
select a location to place your radio controlled clock where it will be at least six feet away from a
TV, computer, air conditioner or other household electrical appliances. The optimal location is
near a window. Windows facing Colorado provide the best signal. For outdoor locations, select
a location sheltered from direct sunlight, preferably under a roof or porch area, and facing
Colorado for better reception of the WWVB signal.
Note: • Do not submerge clock in water.
• Extreme temperatures, vibration, and shock should be avoided to prevent damage to the clock.
The WWVB time signal will easily penetrate masonry and wood framed buildings. The
WWVB signal will penetrate almost every residential building and most steel buildings if they
have adequate windows. It is not possible, however, for the WWVB signal to penetrate most
indoor shopping malls and rooms in the center of large office buildings that do not have
windows. In buildings that WWVB cannot penetrate you may set the time using the manual
time set button. When the clock receives the WWVB signal it will automatically set the hands to
the exact time.
La Crosse Technology clocks do not receive or process radio controlled time signals from
Germany’s DCF 77, Japan’s J Ga AS, or England’s MSFs atomically regulated transmitters. La
Crosse Technology clocks can be manually set and used anywhere.
For more information on the NIST and radio controlled time, see
www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/
SET THE TIME USING THE MANUAL TIME SET BUTTON
In some cases, the La Crosse Technology clock may not receive the WWVB signal due to
atmospheric disturbances or hard to reach locations such as inside malls. In this case, please
use the Manual Time Set button, located at the back of the clock to manually set the time. To do
this:
1.
Press and hold the Manual Set button.
2.
The minutes and hours hands will fast-forward while the button is held.
3.
Keep holding the Manual Set button until the time is set as required.
4.
Release the button.
Note:
The clock will continuously search for WWVB at1:00 am, 3:00 am, 4:00 am, 6:00 am, 12:00 pm,
6:00 pm and 11:00 pm until a signal is received. Once the WWVB time signal is received, the
WWVB time will override the manual set time.
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
EASTERN TIME
MOUNTAIN TIME
DST ON/OFF BUTTON
BATTERY COMPARTMENT
COVER
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT