Need a clock for my HTPC

[Lcarvone]

I have done some searching around at the typical sites as well as a couple different Google searches but haven't really found what I want.....basically what I am looking for (if it even exists) is a simple digital clock with blue numbers that is designed to fit into an empty 5.25" drive bay and hooks up via a 4 pin Molex or other common PC power connector. Don't need or want any fan controllers or usb ports or front panel audio connections etc etc...just a simple blue digital clock.

Here is a link to a drive bay cover meant to house a Compunurse...LINK....which if it held a digital clock instead is more or less what I am looking for.

Any thoughts, links, comments are appreciated.

 

[Leros]

I saw a mod where somebody tore apart an alarm clock and modded it into a bay slot, but that isnt what you wanted.

 

[Lcarvone]

Well if there was a way to mod the power connection to work with a Molex connector then I'm game.....

 

[Leros]

The guy had to run an extra power cord out the back of his pc, seeing that the clock was 120v AC

 

[Lcarvone]

I think I may have found it (or at least one similar)

PIC

 

[Zepper]

Most LED or LCD digital clocks are actually DC internally and would most likely adapt easily from one or another of the voltages available in a PC. Best would be to find one that could run from 5V DC or less and 500mA current or less - then you could run it from the 5V standby that is on all the time. That way the clock would run even with the PC shut down. Or you could rig the clock to run from rechargeable batteries which would be kept charged up when the system is on.

.bh.

 

[Lcarvone]

Wow thanks for the info Zepper .....any links to general HOW TOs for basic electrical mods like this?

 

[Zepper]

Nope. Basically you just have to open up the clock's case > plug it in > take a DMM (digital multimeter) and find out what DC voltage(s) (the LED display may be running from a different voltage than the clock circuit itself - while LCD displays usually run at the same voltage as the clock chip, except perhaps for its backlight if it has one) it is actually running from > if necessary, create voltage regulator circuit(s) to provide the voltage(s) that the clock needs from what is available within the PC. Or you could just leave it running directly from AC as mentioned above. CyberGuys.com et al. sells various neat power adapters that would allow you to plug the clock into a stub off the PC's power cord right next to the back of the computer. OTOH, some of these clocks might run from a DC wall wart or batteries which would make the conversion easier as you'd already know what voltage you need.

. And mount the clock onto a drive bay filler plate or into a floppy adapter tray. Silverstone sells some nice aluminum faced drive bay adapters in silver and black. Beige plastic drive bay adapters are also available or metal ones with beige fronts which can be painted or dyed to match your case.

.bh.

 

[Nirach]

I reckon, with some fishing for parts from Maplin electronics or another such store, you could construct your own.

Zepper has some good advice too. Basic electronics when it comes to powering things off molex, Red = 5V, Yellow = 12V, Black = Ground.

I should imagine that you could use reistors to get the right voltage, I should imagine that if displays can be run via molex to display things, I should imagine a clock wouldn't be too much of a draw.