Jayco clock fix...

[cadman_ks]

Our clock in our 2021 37 MDQS would not keep time. Changed the battery twice, and within a week, it was already losing time.

The changing the battery wouldn't be all that bad, IF it wasn't so hard to get off the wall. A solution had to be found.

I ended up taking the clock apart, and installing a radio controlled movement in the clock, this one here, which is a direct fit with the original movement:

https://a.co/d/8GhCm0x

That really works slick! It keeps good time, but I still needed a battery solution. I ended up going with Engergizer Lithium batteries. They have a long shelf life, and in this clock application, shouldn't have too much of a drain on them, so they should last for a long time. Another bonus to the lithium batteries is that they can withstand a HIGH temperature swing. From -40F to 140F! It gets hot in our unit when we are not using it. These are NOT rechargeable batteries, just the lithium ones that you get at Walmart, or wherever. Be forewarned, however, they are expensive.

I look forward to NOT having to jack with this clock for near foreseeable future!!

[F350guy]

I appreciate your creative thinking to make things work better. I have that affliction also.

[Jagiven]

Excellent! I love those lithium AA batteries. They last a long time.

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Excellent! I love those lithium AA batteries. They last a long time.

That's GREAT to hear! I have never used them because of the cost, but I had heard good things about them, and the fact that they accept a wide temperature swing sold me.

We'll see...

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by F350guy

I appreciate your creative thinking to make things work better. I have that affliction also.

As a recovering engineer, I really have to be careful that I don't engineer every situation in my life.

In this case, I figured I had four options:

1. Figure out how to make the clock easier to get down so that you could change the battery every two weeks - this probably costs the least amount of money, BUT even if I COULD figure out how to get it on and off easily, it's still a pain to have to deal with putting it up and taking it down
2. Fix the current movement (not worth it, and who really knows what's wrong with it). Hummm... On second thought, I still have that thing. I should take it apart, and see what's going on in there. BAWHAHAAHHAHA
3. Get a new "better" movement - this has some merit, BUT at the end of the day, if the batteries still don't last all that long, you're right back to problem one, and so now you still have to engineer a way to get the clock off the wall easily
4. Get a movement that AUTOMATICALLY sets itself, AND power it with the most powerful batteries that I can currently get my hands on

It took about 3.3 milliseconds to select option 4. As I get older, I'm NOT always looking for the cheapest way out. I'm looking for the quickest (most of the time), and the best bang for the use of my time and resources. Time costs money, and I have at least one of those...

[RedHorse1]

Sounds like you have a built-in clock in your 5th. Ours doesn’t. We bought two cheap digital alarm clocks shortly after we bought our 5th (a’13) that use a 9 v batt backup and we haven’t had to change batts yet. Every time we connect to shore power they light up with the correct time.

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Sounds like you have a built-in clock in your 5th. Ours doesn’t. We bought two cheap digital alarm clocks shortly after we bought our 5th (a’13) that use a 9 v batt backup and we haven’t had to change batts yet. Every time we connect to shore power they light up with the correct time.

We have those type of clocks at our house, and they are nice, after a power cycle event.

As for the 37 MDQS, and other Pinnacles, we have a clock in the "main" room that is literally 6" from the ceiling, and it's a battery powered clock. It came from the factory that way. It's actually a nice looking clock for the Modern Farmhouse decor.

[F350guy]

Hmmm, our 32RLTS is clockless. Probably because there's not a lot of blank wall space to put one. Fortunately the microwave keeps pretty good time.

That is one nice looking interior. The painted cabinetry was not available until the 21 models as far as I know so ours has all cherry cabinets. We like it but painted is lighter and brighter. I painted all the cabinets in our home a couple of years ago, a painful task to say the least, so the Pinnacle cabinets will remain cherry.

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by F350guy

Hmmm, our 32RLTS is clockless. Probably because there's not a lot of blank wall space to put one. Fortunately the microwave keeps pretty good time.

That is one nice looking interior. The painted cabinetry was not available until the 21 models as far as I know so ours has all cherry cabinets. We like it but painted is lighter and brighter. I painted all the cabinets in our home a couple of years ago, a painful task to say the least, so the Pinnacle cabinets will remain cherry.

Yeah, it's a fairly big clock. I'd say it's about 16" square, so you need a good amount of wall space for sure.

When we were looking for our unit, we decided that we were not going to buy one WITHOUT the Modern Farmhouse, unless that was all we could get. We really like the white, and we also like the different contrasts that the interior has. The living room area is in a darker brown color, and it really sets the two areas apart...

[GTS225]

Originally Posted by cadman_ks

As a recovering engineer, I really have to be careful that I don't engineer every situation in my life.

In this case, I figured I had four options:

1. Figure out how
2. Fix the current
3. Get a new "better"
4. Get a movement

It took about 3.3 milliseconds to select option 4. As I get older, I'm NOT always looking for the cheapest way out. I'm looking for the quickest (most of the time), and the best bang for the use of my time and resources. Time costs money, and I have at least one of those...

If I may be so bold.........You have left out, and engineered yourself out of the obvious.
Do nothing about the clock, sit back, and enjoy, "camping time", where you don't have to be any certain place by any certain time.

Just sayin'.....Roger

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by GTS225

If I may be so bold.........You have left out, and engineered yourself out of the obvious.
Do nothing about the clock, sit back, and enjoy, "camping time", where you don't have to be any certain place by any certain time.

Just sayin'.....Roger

Excellent point.

And, while I'm recovering, there are still some things that I can't let go, like a clock in the middle of the room that doesn't tell time!!!

I could take the clock down, but then there's a strip of Velcro there that would need to be carefully removed.

I guess #5 option that I didn't consider was removing the clock, and replacing it with a picture of some kind. That works, if you don't want a clock...

[Learjet]

Originally Posted by F350guy

Hmmm, our 32RLTS is clockless. Probably because there's not a lot of blank wall space to put one. Fortunately the microwave keeps pretty good time.

That is one nice looking interior. The painted cabinetry was not available until the 21 models as far as I know so ours has all cherry cabinets. We like it but painted is lighter and brighter. I painted all the cabinets in our home a couple of years ago, a painful task to say the least, so the Pinnacle cabinets will remain cherry.

My 32RLTS has the Jayco clock over the pantry door. I can reach it from the floor and remove it by lifting the bottom off the Velcro then lift up over the screw it's hanging from.

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by Learjet

My 32RLTS has the Jayco clock over the pantry door. I can reach it from the floor and remove it by lifting the bottom off the Velcro then lift up over the screw it's hanging from.

I'm almost 6', and I have to stand on a chair to reach the clock, and I still have to have my hands above my head to work with the Velcro. It's definitely a pain in the 37MDQS...

[MikeSheri]

New to the forum. We set our clock to 5 o'clock and left the battery out!

[57gasser]

Originally Posted by MikeSheri

New to the forum. We set our clock to 5 o'clock and left the battery out!

And....it's still right 2 times a day!!

[Learjet]

Originally Posted by MikeSheri

New to the forum. We set our clock to 5 o'clock and left the battery out!

8-10 more years and my clock will be set to that

[MikeSheri]

Originally Posted by Learjet

8-10 more years and my clock will be set to that

Not sure where I'll be in 10 years but I'm sure it will be 5 o'clock somewhere!

[Stan&Sharon]

Originally Posted by cadman_ks

I ended up taking the clock apart, and installing a radio controlled movement in the clock

Although I installed the mechanism upside down, so I could keep the same hanging hook, it works great. Job was completed without any trouble. Thanks for the tip.

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by Stan&Sharon

Although I installed the mechanism upside down, so I could keep the same hanging hook, it works great. Job was completed without any trouble. Thanks for the tip.

Glad you found it useful!!

It is a pretty easy fix as well.

[cadman_ks]

An update on installation.

After sitting all winter in the cold, we pulled out the 5er, hooked on, and left for the weekend.

After arriving to our destination, the clock is PERFECTLY timed! We did not change time zones though, but I am confident that it would handle that without issue.

This is a great fix for those that have the Jayco clock up high like on the 37MDQS...