How to Make Digital Clocks

Building your own digital clock helps you to understand how electronics, electrical components, and watches work.  There are kits available that come with all of the instructions and parts necessary to build a clock, or you can design your own.

• Research about how digital clocks work using the Internet.  This will help you to decide the level of commitment you are prepared to put into the project.  If you obtain instructions from scratch on the Internet or in a book, you will require some electronics knowledge and tools.  Building a digital clock from a kit contains the instructions and the components necessary to build the clock. 


• Purchase, create or acquire some blueprints to make a digital clock as there are pictures and schematics the will guide you in the construction of the power supply, the digital readout device, and time keeping circuit.


• Look for digital clock kits that feature the standard seven segments led light displays to ensure it is a digital clock.  Led segments are available at many electronics stores and online in hobby shops.  Look up the Jameco Company for electronics supplies.


• Assemble the power supply using an AC transformer, resistor, zener diode, regulator, rectifiers, and two capacitors.  These are the basic electronics supplies needed to make power supply units for nearly all household electronics.   Building the power supply is more difficult and time consuming than the circuit.


• Build the circuit based on the diagram outlined in your instructions.