La Crosse Technology DCF-77 User manual

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868 MHz RADIO CONTROLLED PROJECTION ALARM CLOCK
Instructions manual
INTRODUCTION:
Congratulations on purchasing this innovative 868MHz Projection alarm clock which
displays indoor and outdoor temperature. To enjoy the full benefits of this innovative
product, please read this operating manual.
« Instant Transmission+» is the up and coming state-of-the-art new wireless
transmission technology, exclusively designed and developed by LA CROSSE
TECHNOLOGY.
“IT +” offers you an immediate update of all your outdoor data measured from
the transmitters: follow your climatic variations in real-time!

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PROJECTION ALARM CLOCK
FEATURES
•DCF-77 Radio controlled time with manual setting option
•12/24 hours time display (hour, minutes, seconds)
•Time projection (hour and minute)
•Projection with adjustable brightness and projection orientation possible
•Calendar display
Battery
compartment
Stand
Adapter socket
Function
keys
LCD
Display

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•Alarm setting with snooze function
•Time zone setting ±12hours
•Temperature display in ºC/ ºF
•Indoor and outdoor temperature display
•E.L. back-light
•Wireless transmission at 868 MHz
•Signal reception intervals at 4 seconds
•Low battery indicator
TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER:
•Remote transmission of outdoor temperature to weather
station by 868 MHz signal
•Wall mounting case
•Mounting at a sheltered place. Avoid direct rain and
sunshine

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TO INSTALL AND REPLACE BATTERIES INTO THE PROJECTION
ALARM
The Projection Alarm uses 2 x AA, IEC LR6, 1.5V batteries. To install and replace the
batteries, please follow the steps below: 1. Insert finger or other solid object in the
space at the bottom center of the battery
compartment and lift up to remove the
cover.
2. Insert batteries observing the correct
polarity (see marking).
3. Replace compartment cover.
In addition or instead of inserting batteries, the AC adapter can be used:
1. Connect the power adapter to a wall socket
2. Insert the adapter into the jack at the bottom of the clock

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3. The Projection clock will now start receiving the DCF time signal. After
approximately 3 to 5 minutes, the DCF time will be displayed (Also see "SETTING
UP" below) .
Important!
Use only the adapter provided with the projection
clock and make sure that your household voltage
is appropriate to the working voltage of the
transformer. Otherwise your Projection clock may
be damaged.
POWER SUPPLIED BY BATTERIES AND AC/DC ADAPTER
If the Projection clock is first powered by batteries and the power adapter is
subsequently used for extended period of time, the main power source of the Projection
clock will switch to AC/DC power. The batteries will then act as a backup power source
in case of power failure.

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TO INSTALL AND REPLACE BATTERIES IN THE TEMPERATURE
TRANSMITTER The Temperature Transmitter uses 2 x AA, IEC, LR6, 1.5V batteries.
To install and replace the batteries, please follow the steps below:
1. Remove the cover.
2. Insert the batteries, observing the correct polarity (see
marking).
3. Replace the battery cover on the unit.
Note:
In the event of changing batteries in any of the units, all units need to be reset by
following the setting up procedures. This is because a random security code is
assigned by the transmitter at start-up and this code must be received and stored by
the Projection alarm clock in the first three minutes of power being supplied to it.

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SETTING UP
The Projection clock can be batteries operated or powered by the provided 3.4V
AC/DC adapter.
1. First, insert 2 x AA, IEC LR6, 1.5V batteries into the projection clock (or use the
A/C adapter to power up). Once the batteries are in place, all segments of the
LCD will light up briefly. Then the indoor temperature, the time as 0:00, will be
displayed. If the indoor temperature is not displayed after a few seconds, remove
the batteries and wait for at least 1 minute before reinserting them. Once the
indoor data is displayed proceed to step 2.
2. Within 1-1/2 minutes of activating the Projection clock, place 2 x AA, IEC LR6,
1.5V batteries into the transmitter.
3. After a few seconds of inserting the batteries into the transmitter, the projection
clock will start receiving data from the transmitter. The remote temperature will
then be displayed on the clock. If this does not happen after 2 minutes, the
batteries will need to be removed from both units and reset from step 1.

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4. When the transmitter is set up, there is a testing period. Then DCF-77 time code
reception is automatically started just after the clock is activated. This takes
typically between 3-5 minutes in good conditions. This time period is an excellent
opportunity to locate the transmitter in suitable location outdoors. In order to
ensure sufficient 868 MHz transmission however, the distance between the
Projection clock and the transmitter should not be more than 100 meters (see
notes on “Positioning” and “868 MHz Reception”).
5. If after 10 minutes the DCF time has not been received, use the MODE/ MIN key
to manually enter a time (and date) initially. The clock will automatically attempt to
receive the DCF time each day at 2:00 am. When this is successful, the received
time will override the manually set time.
Note:
Should the total time of inserting the batteries into the transmitter take longer than 1-1/2
minutes from the time of inserting the batteries into the projection clock then
temperature reception problems may occur. If the temperature is not being received,
then see "868MHZ RECEPTION", before resetting the units.

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In the event of changing batteries to the transmitter, the projection clock needs to be
reset. (See RESETTING THE PROJECTION CLOCK)
RESETTING THE PROJECTION CLOCK
To reset the Projection clock to the factory default setting or in case of a malfunction or
changing batteries to transmitter, please remove all batteries from the unit and unplug
the AC/DC adapter from any power source. Wait at least for 3 minutes before powering
up the Projection clock again.
BATTERY CHANGE:
It is recommended to replace the batteries in all units on an annual basis to ensure
optimum accuracy of these units.
Please participate in the preservation of the environment. Return used
batteries to an authorized depot.

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PROJECTION OF TIME / OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE
Note:
The projection is a red light, not harmful under normal usage, yet care should be taken
to avoid looking directly into the light.
1. When plugged into an AC outlet, the projection alarm can continuously project the
time and the outdoor temperature
2. When operating on batteries alone, the projection alarm will only project when the
SNOOZE button is pressed or the alarm is sounding.
3. The projection will auto-focus for display from about 1.7 to 2.0 metres away. A
dark surrounding will be necessary to clearly see the projection.
The direction of the display can also be rotated 360°in 90°increments by pressing the
Projection Direction button. The projector case can be rotated 180°to further help
orient the projected display.

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Note:
If the Projection clock is powered through the adapter, the projection will be constantly
ON at the highest brightness level unless the brightness level is manually changed to a
lower brightness level afterwards. And the brightness of the projection can be change
accordingly to enhance the clarity of the projected time by pressing the key.
If the Projection clock is battery operated, the projection will be ON at the highest
brightness level only when the SNOOZE key is pressed. The intensity of the brightness
level of the projection cannot be changed. If the SNOOZE is released, the projection will
be turned OFF.
TOGGLE BETWEEN THE DISPLAY OF TEMPERATURES, SECONDS,
PRESET ALARM TIME AND CALENDAR
By pressing shortly the MODE/MIN key, you will toggle between the following displays:
1. Indoor and outdoor temperature
2. Seconds
3. Preset alarm time

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4. Day and Month
DCF-77 RADIO CONTROLLED TIME
The time base for the radio controlled time is a Cesium Atomic Clock operated by the
Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig which has a time deviation of
less than one second in one million years. The time is coded and transmitted from
Mainflingen near Frankfurt via frequency signal DCF-77 (77.5 kHz) and has a
transmitting range of approximately 1,500 km. Your radio-controlled Projection alarm
clock receives this signal and converts it to show the precise time in summer or
wintertime.

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The quality of the reception depends greatly on the geographic location. In normal
cases, there should be no reception problems within a 1500km radius of Frankfurt.
Once the outdoor reception test period is completed, the DCF tower icon in the clock
display will start flashing in the upper center. This indicates that the clock has detected
that there is a radio signal present and is trying to receive it. When the time code is
received, the DCF tower becomes permanently lit and the time will be displayed.
DCF reception is done twice daily at 02:00 and 03:00 am. If the reception is not
successful at 02:00 am, then the next reception takes place the next hour and so on
until 06:00am, or until the reception is successful. If the reception is not successful at
06:00 am, then the next attempt will take place the next day at 02:00 am.
If the tower icon flashes, but does not set the time or the DCF tower does not appear at
all, then please take note of the following:
•Recommended distance to any interfering sources like computer monitors or TV
sets is a minimum of 1.5 - 2 meters.

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•Within ferro-concrete rooms (basements, superstructures), the received signal is
naturally weakened. In extreme cases, please place the unit close to a window
and/or point its front or back towards the Frankfurt transmitter.
During nighttime, the atmospheric disturbances are usually less severe and reception is
possible in most cases. A single daily reception is adequate to keep the accuracy
deviation below 1 second.
FUNCTION KEYS
There are 4 function keys located on the front of the projection alarm and one on the
top. The function keys are: AL/HOUR, MODE/MIN, Projection Direction, Brightness,
and SNOOZE.
SNOOZE key

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SNOOZE key:
•Activate snooze function
•Activate the projection brightness at the highest level
•Exit the setting modes
•E.L.Back-light-On
AL/HR key:
•Enter alarm setting mode
•Activate or deactivate alarm
•Stop alarm and snooze function
AL / HOUR
key MODE/ MIN
key
Projection Direction key
Brightness key

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•Set the hours and day
•E.L.Back-light-On
MODE/MIN key:
•Enter time zone, manual time, year, day, month, 12/24 hour time display, ºC / ºF
temperature format setting modes
•Set the minutes, year, month, 12/24 hour time format, ºC / ºF temperature format
•Toggle between temperatures, seconds, alarm time, and date display
•Stop alarm and snooze function
•E.L.Back-light-On
Brightness key
•Set the brightness level of the projection (in A/C power mode):4 levels: High,
Medium, Low, OFF
•E.L.Back-light On

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Projection Direction key
•Press to rotate the time/ outdoor temperature projection image in 90°increments
•Press to activate the EL back-light
MANUAL SETTINGS:
The following manual settings can be changed when pressing the MODE/MIN key for:
•Time zone setting
•Manual time setting
•Calendar setting
•12/24-Hour setting
•°C/°F setting
TIME ZONE SETTING
The time zone default of the Projection clock is “0h”. To set a different time zone:
Flashing

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1. Press and hold the MODE/MIN key for about 3 seconds. The current time zone
value at the bottom of the LCD display starts flashing.
2. Press and release MODE/MIN key to adjust the time zone. The range runs from
0h to 12h, then –12h to 0h, in consecutive 1-hour intervals.
3. Confirm with the SNOOZE key and enter the Manual time setting.
MANUAL TIME SETTING
In case the Projection clock cannot detect the DCF-signal (for example due to
disturbances, transmitting distance, etc.), the time can be manually set. The clock will
then work as a normal Quartz clock.
1. The hour and the minute digits will start flashing.
Hour flashing
Minutes flashing

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2. Use the AL/HOUR key to set the hour; MODE/MIN key to set the minute.
3. Confirm with the SNOOZE key and enter the Calendar setting.
Note:
The unit will still try and receive the signal at 2:00 am despite it being manually set.
When it does receive the signal, it will change the manually set time into the received
time.
CALENDAR SETTING
The date default of the Projection clock is 1. 1. in the year 2006. Once the radio-
controlled time signals are received, the date is automatically updated. However, if the
signals are not received, the date can also be set manually.
Flashing Flashing Flashing

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1. The year starts flashing.
2. Use the MODE/MIN key to set the year (between year 2001 to 2029).
3. Press the SNOOZE key to confirm and to enter the month and day setting. The
month and day digits will start flashing.
4. Use the AL/HOUR key to set the day and MODE/MIN key to set the month.
5. Confirm with the SNOOZE key and enter the 12/24 hour time display setting.
12/24 HOUR TIME DISPLAY SETTING
1. “12h” or “24h” flashes in the LCD.
2. Press the MODE/MIN key to select the “12h” or “24h” display mode.
3. Confirm with the SNOOZE key and enter the °C/°F temperature setting.
Flashing