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Water clocking I have a water clock . I've had it for more than a year now and lately the LCD display has looked a little faded. I think perhaps the power unit is failing, no amount of changing the water seems to make any difference. Although it still keeps perfect time. It costs £9.99. I should explain. Nothing like the ancient Egyptian water clock which ran on water passing through a tube into a vessel where it is measured, oh no, this is a high-tech plastic contraption with an LCD in the centre and twin towers, one of which is blank and the other can have water poured into it. With a little water at the bottom of this tube, and using a small plastic syringe, you transfer a small quantity of water into the narrow tube which projects from the bottom for about an inch. This water provides power using innovative technology, no batteries included. It simulates a basic battery with two electrodes, one positive and one negative, are immersed in water, and as soon as water comes into contact with both electrodes, an electrochemical reaction takes place resulting in the production of electrical energy, sufficient to power a simple digital clock and display. The display is very faded now, but as they are cheap, and totally recyclable, I don't feel too bad about it not lasting forever. What does these days? Postscript: It appears to have rejuvenated since my last attempt to renew the water, and is now back to working properly, and the time is still spot on! Postscript 2: A few months after that it faded away to nothing, I tried a range of things and nothing worked so I gave up. I disconnected the tube which provided the power and drained it and left it on the side. It dried out. I just now thought I'd try again, poured water into it and plugged it in; a few minutes later it burst into life, and, although it had to be reset, it has kept perfect time since. New lease of life? It beats rechargeable batteries.

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http://ecotopia.co.uk/detail.jsp?cName=bbc-blue-planet-live&pName=water-powered-alarm-clock

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Contributed by Foolonthehill on March 9, 2008, at 7:24 PM UTC.

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