Need an always ON/lighted clock for my truck

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guiri

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
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4,136
Location
NC, USA
Guys, I have a Ford Excursion but the damn thing doesn't have a built in clock anywhere or rather, it doesn't now that I replaced the standard radio with another unit and it irritates the hell outta me.

I can't find something that I can glue or stick on the dash or somewhere that I can see while driving in the dark. I've found a few clocks that work but I can't see them when it's dark and I don't want to have to reach and press something that'll light up.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

George
 
SmurfTacular said:
Ford Excusrion? Damn thats a big SUV
Click to expand...


Ok, say after me now...it's NOT a big SUV, it's the BIGGEST! :D

Reminds me of Jerry Lewis when he guest starred in a sitcom and someone sees him and goes, John Doe (whatever his name was) the millionaire and he goes...no, no, repeat after me, B, B, B, the Billionaire :D

Well, something like that but yes, I love my X. There's plenty of room...for myself :D

I actually saw that one but I had my doubts because although it says that it's lit when plugged in, I wonder if it's enough or just some puny light.

I bought a clock at a truck stop ones that had one of them plastic stickers on that simulates the screen and of course, it had this blue simulated light on it and I'm like, WOW, this is cool. Well, I bought it and when I tried it, the light was so weak it was almost like no light at all and it's still sitting here unused :(

The problem is when they simulate and enhance stuff for pics.

I know it's only around ten bucks or so but I'm soo tired of filling my house with junk that doesn't work.

I have an analog clock that I paid 8 bucks for that I never put up because I didn't realize it would be too dark to see it. I MIGHT be able to return that one but it gets to be a pain too.

Anyway, the suggestion is a good one and I may just try one out for the hell of it but yes, some kind of 12v is the option I wanted.

Here's what I bought for the truck that sticks or screws in/on but like I said, too small to see in the dark. Got a similar one for my dirt bike that clamps to the handle bar.

http://www.formotionproducts.com/AM_Flat Mount.htm

Keep'em coming guys

Thanks

GEorge
 
Well, was even thinking of that but would look cheesy so I MAY have decided to have one made and to possibly market it. Stand by and we'll see. Till then, feel free to post more ideas.

Thanks

George
 
if you want your cheap clock to light up better send it to me and i will replace the cheesy led with a real one and send it back to you for free.
if you are interested send me a picture of it so i can make sure there is enough room for a real led also let me know what color you would want it to glow.
 
usLEDsupply said:
if you want your cheap clock to light up better send it to me and i will replace the cheesy led with a real one and send it back to you for free.
if you are interested send me a picture of it so i can make sure there is enough room for a real led also let me know what color you would want it to glow.
Click to expand...

Well, that's damn nice of you but I don't yet have a clock that's lit or lighted. The ones I have looked at are either wired which means a cable going to the cig outlet which will look $hitty or you have to press something to light them and even then the light sucks. This is why I was going to have something built and possibly sell it so, as much as I may sound like an ungrateful swine, I don't actually have anything right now that I even remotely like.

HOWEVER, I really appreciate the offer and this is the BEST part of the web, when you have cool people that help you out.

Anyway, stay tuned for more updates whenever I decide where this is going :p
 
Well, haven't tried the junkyard route but jc whitney is a thought. Hadn't checked with them yet.

Thanks
 
4 more illuminated clock options

guiri said:
Well, was even thinking of that but would look cheesy so I MAY have decided to have one made and to possibly market it. Stand by and we'll see. Till then, feel free to post more ideas.
Click to expand...

Ok George, so an LED clock would look cheesy... Other less-cheesy options would be:

1] Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) clock. These can even be tinted to match your dash illumination with the appropriate color acetate. You could mount either in-dash or in a small black box under dash or in a cubby hole. They have two positive wires; one goes to a constant 2 volt battery source, and the other to a switched circuit so the display is only on when the truck is on. You could also run it so it is always on (even when truck is parked.)

They can be obtained from China for a few bucks each in quantity or snag a single one here: http://cgi.ebay.com/VFD-Display-LCD-Module-Clock-Function-/190381602595

Radio Shack used to sell a nice 12 volt VFD clock module too (along with a case) but I think it was discontinued.

2] A Nixie Clock -- Might cost a bit more, but definitely not cheesy. This one runs on 12 volts: http://www.kosbo.com/mnclock/

3] A GPS unit. Even an old obsolete Garmin II, II+ or III in the tiny black box with back lighted LCD display can be switched to the screen with the time display. Also quite accurate. You will need to acquire the automotive cable and wire it in to your truck for continuous backlighting (three levels if I recall.) Often on eBay for $5-10 bucks. Even if you have a super deluxe GPS navigation in your vehicle, this tiny one can be set to display the time and you can ignore the old (non-speaking) maps, etc.

4] How about a nice illuminated analog clock? http://www.jcwhitney.com/clock-gauges/ford-excursion/c2109d16936j1s21.jcwx

There are more options, such as installing a small OEM Japanese LED clock (from a junk yard) behind your speedometer but I'm not sure of your level of engineering skill... at one point you said you want to manufacture clocks and in another message you objected to a wire running to a cigarette lighter socket (as if you couldn't or wouldn't directly wire to your truck.)

Hope these suggestions help you.

Cheers,

Mark
 
Re: 4 more illuminated clock options

Let's see, the first idea is good but I need to find a good spot to mount one and someone to do it for me but yes, that's doable. The nixie stuff is cool too and I've seen his site. Again, need someone to do it.

The stuff at Whitney, I've already seen AND I ordered two formotion clocks. One for my bike and the other for the car but the car one, I can't see in the dark.

The gps was another idea and I tried the one I have (got an extra one) but no worky. Numbers not big enough.

Damn! This should be a hell of a lot easier than it is :(

The quest continues..

Thanks by the way
 
So, and how do I keep it lit all the time and how long would the batteries last?
 
~

:oops: .. I thought they had a model that was always "back-lit" .... maybe not.

If you wear a "BlueTooth" with voice commands ..........

just ask your cell phone what time it is . (and get it verbally)

~
 
I don't wear headphones as I have hands free in the car (when it works that is).

Damn! This is a lot of work for a stinkin' clock :(

I should start wearing one but I don't want to.
 
 
Phew! I'm glad you came out of the closet to do this :)

Seriously, I have another idea which not only will give me what I want, it'll look good, be well made and I might be able to sell some of these.

I had an idea that I presented to one of the light "pimpers" here so let's see what happens and this reminds me, I need to get him on the horn and get the project hoppin'

Thanks

George
 
Jeeze I followed the link in the first portion of this thread and I don't really feel like buying 50 of the temp/time units from 1 topstore
 
:)

Most of that stuff can be had in single units if you take the time to search but in my case, I have a much better solution, now all I have to do is wait for one of the CPF guys to pimp it for me.

I figgered it would be doable, he says it is so we'll see how it turns out. I will keep you guys posted but by all means, if you don't hear from me and you are curious, keep reminding me. I won't be doing the work so it'll be up to him and how busy he is :)
 
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