La Crosse Technology WT-3141B User Manual

Quick set up instructions

Welcome to the world of radio controlled timekeeping technology. We hope you will enjoy
the convenience of never havi ng to set your clock again and the confidence of knowing
exactly what time it is.

• Install 1 fresh AA, LR6 1.5 volt ALKALINE battery.

• Press a “PT”, “MT”, “CT”, or “ET” button to select a time zone. Do not press

the MANUAL TIME SET button while the clock is at the 4:00, 8:00, or 12:00
position (searching for the WWVB signal). THAT’ S IT! During the night your
clock will automatically set itself.

For a better understanding of how and why your clock works, pl ease continue reading.

Nothing is more precisely measured than time!
Since the beginning of time, man has been fascinated with the measurement of time and
has devised accurate machines to trap and measure time. Today , time is precisely
measured in the United States by the most accurate clock in North America, the Atomic
Clock of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, Time and Frequency
Division in Boulder, Colorado. A team of atomic physicists continually measures every
second of every day to an accuracy of ten billionths of a second per day. These physicists
have created an internat ional standard, measuring a second as 9,192,631,770 vibrations of
a Cesium 133 atom in a vacuum. This atomic clock regulates the WWVB radio transmitter
located in Fort Collins, Colorado, where the exact time signal is continuously broadcast
throughout the United States at 60 kHz to take advantage of stable long wave radio paths
found in that frequency rang e. Radio waves at these l ow frequencies use the earth and the
ionosphere as a wave-guide and follow the curvature of the earth for long distances.
The built-in antenna system will receive the WWVB signal anywhere in North America
within 2000 miles of Fort Collins where long-wave radio reception is undisturbed. A
microprocessor activates the receiver and processes the time signal from Fort Collins
overnight.
Through the radio signals, La Crosse Technology radio controlled clocks always keep
precise time. The changeover from standard time to daylight savings time, and vice versa,
takes place automatically with the same precision.

ATOMIC WALL CLOCK

A

Additional details

To set up your clock simply ins tall one fresh AA, LR6 ALKALINE battery. Due to the nature
of long wave radio signals, it is normally not possible to receive a signal during the day so it
is best to install the battery late in the evening . Select your time zone by pressing one of the
four time zone buttons PT-Pacific Time, MT-Mountain Time, CT-Central Time, ET-Eastern
Time. The time zone buttons may be pr essed any time after installing the batteries. If

MANUAL TIME
SET BUTTON*

*ONLY use in areas

with No WWVB reception

Pacific Time

MANUAL SET
BUTTON

will turn off
WWVB reception!

Mountain Time

Central Time

Daylight Saving Time
(DST) ON/OFF Button

Eastern Time

multiple buttons are pressed the clock will set to the time zone selected last. If no time zone
is selected the clock will default to Pacific Time. Another time zone can be selected before
or after the clock has set itself. Your clock can only set itself to one of the four time zones
stated above. For time zones outside of PT, MT, CT or ET you must manually set the time
using the Manual Time set button on the back of the movement.

When the battery is installed the hands will move to the 4:00, 8:00, or 12:00 o’clock
position. The clock is now searching for a signal. For the initial setting it is
recommended to stand the clock in an upright position near a window facing
Colorado. Within five minutes the clock will either receive the WWVB signal and se t
itself to the exact time, or it will determine that the signal is not receivable at its
current location and time of day and search for WWVB each hour until a signal is
received.

Select a location to place yo ur radio controlled cloc k where it will be at lea st six feet away
from a TV, computer, air conditioner or other household electrical appliances. The optimal
location is near a window. Windows facing Colorado provide the best signal. The WWVB
time signal will easily penetrate Masonry and wood framed buildings. WWVB will penetrate
almost every residential building and most steel buildings if they have adequate windows. It
is not possible, howeve r, for WWVB to penetrate most indoor shopping malls and rooms in
the center of large office buildings that do not have windows. In buildings that WWVB
cannot penetrate you may set the time using the manual time set button. When the clock is
exposed to the WWVB signal it will automatically set the hands to the exact time.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Only use the Manual Setting Option if, after a few days, you are
absolutely unable to receive a WWVB signal.

La Crosse Technology clocks do not receive or process radio-controlled time signals
from Germany’s DCF 77, Japan’s J Ga AS, or England’s MSFs atom ic a lly regula te d
transmitters. La Crosse Technology clocks can be manually set and used anywhere.

MANUAL TIME SET OPTION

• Press and hold the TIME SET BUTTON on the back of the movement continuously
to set the manual time. Your clock is now working as a quartz clock and not
searching for the WWVB signal. It is important to not release the button for more
than 2 seconds during this time, or your clock will automatically return to the
RADIO CONTROL MODE to begin searching for a WWVB signal again.

• If at any time your clock automatically advances to 4:00, 8:00, or 12:00, it has
entered the RADIO CONTROLLED MODE and is searching for the WWVB signal.

• If you are trying to manually set your clock and have accidentally returned to the
RADIO CONTROL MODE, you must remove the batteries, wait 2 minutes, and then
reinstall the battery. The clock will advance to 4, 8, or 12 and allow you to use the
MANUAL SET BUTTON.

• There are 2 ways to return to RADIO CONTROL MODE if your clock is manually set:

1. Remove the battery, reinstall it after 2 minutes, and start the clock again.

2. Press the TIME SET BUTTON for more than 3 seconds. The hands will move

to the 4:00, 8:00, or 12:00 o’clock position and begin searching for a WWVB
signal.

¾ After successful WWVB signal is established, your clock will be set

automatically and will work as a radio controlled clock.

¾ If reception of WWVB signal is not possible, your clock will switch back to the

QUARTZ MODE after 10 minutes and show the quartz time. This movement
is now functioning as a quartz clock and will not attempt to receive the WWVB
signal again, unless you remove the batteries or press the TIME SET

• It is not possible to manually set the time if your clock h as automatically set itself.

Troubleshooting

The wonderful advantage of owning a La Crosse Technolog y radio controlled clock is that it
is virtually trouble free. If the clock receives a clear signal it will set itself perfectly. If it does
not receive a signal consider the following:

Battery - The La Crosse Technology clock should have a fresh Alkaline
Location - Try a different location, ide ally near a window. It sh ould be at

Weather - Electrical storms between you and Colorado during the night will

BUTTON again as described above.

Battery to best receive and process the time signal.
least six feet from computers, TVs , air conditioners, other Radio

Controlled clocks and other electrical appliances that cause
interference.

interfere with the WWVB signal.

Daylight Saving Time

The National Institute of Standar ds and Technology and WWVB encode a special DST “bit”
in the WWVB transmission for DST. Your La Crosse Technology clock will read this
information and automatically advance the hands one hour in the spring and eleven hours
in the fall.

Arizona and Indiana

If you live in an area that does not recognize DST you must press the (unmarked) DST
button for one second to deactivate your clock’s DST program. To reactivate the DST
program simply press the DST button again for one second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long will the battery last?

A. A good AA alkaline battery will last over one year. If your clock is located in an area wi th

little interference w here it can quickly receive a signal the battery can last much longer
than one year.

Q. Can the clock be wired to control timing circuits?

A. No.

Q. Why does the second hand move only once every 2 seconds?

A. When the battery drops below 1.25 volts the clock indicates that it is time to change the

battery by advancing the second hand in 2-second steps. Th e operating voltage range is

1.25 to 1.75 volts.

BATTERIES CHANGE:

For best performance, batter ies should be replaced at least once a year to maintain the
best running accuracy. Ensure that the batteries used ar e new and the correct size.

Please help in the preservation of the environment and return used
batteries to an authorized depot.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

La Crosse Technology, Ltd provides a 1-year limited warranty on this product
against manufacturing defects in mater ials and workmanship.

This limited warranty begins on the original date of purchase, is valid only on
products purchased and used in North America and only to the original
purchaser of this product. To receive warranty servic e, the purchaser must
contact La Crosse Technology, Ltd for pro blem determination and service
procedures. Warranty service can only be perf ormed by a La Crosse
Technology, Ltd authorized service center. The original dated bill of sale must
be presented upon request as proof of purchase to La Crosse Technology, Ltd
or La Crosse Technology, Ltd’s authorized ser vice center.

La Crosse Technology, Ltd will repair or replace this product, at our option and
at no charge as stipulated herein, with new or reconditioned parts or products
if found to be defective during the limit ed warranty period specified above. All
replaced parts and products become the property of La Crosse Technology,
Ltd and must be returned to La Crosse Technolog y, Lt d. Replacement parts
and products assume the remaining original warranty, or ninety (90) days,
whichever is longer. La Crosse Technology, Ltd will pay all expenses for labor
and materials for all repairs covered by this warranty. If necessary repairs are
not covered by this warranty, or if a product is examined which is not in need
or repair, you will be charged for the repairs or examination. The owner must
pay any shipping charges incurred in getting your La Crosse Technol ogy, Ltd
product to a La Crosse Technology, Ltd authorized service center. La Crosse
Technology, Ltd will pay ground return shipping charges to th e owner of the
product to a USA address only.

Your La Crosse Technology, Ltd warranty covers all defect s in material and
workmanship with the following specified exceptions: ( 1) damage caused by
accident, unreasonable use or neglect (incl uding the lack of reasonable and
necessary maintenance); (2) damage occurring during s hipment (claims must
be presented to the carrier); (3) damage to, or deterioration of, any accessory
or decorative surface; (4) damage resulting from failure to follow instructions

contained in your owner’s manual; (5) damage resulting fr om the performance
of repairs or alterations by someone other than an authorized La Crosse
Technology, Ltd authorized service center; ( 6) units used for other than home
use (7) applications and uses that this product was not intended or (8) the
products inability to receive a signal due to any source of interference.. This
warranty covers only actual defects within the product i tself, and does not
cover the cost of installation or removal fr om a fixed installation, normal set-up
or adjustments, claims based on misrepresentation by the seller or
performance variations resulting from installation-related circumstances.

LA CROSSE TECHNOLOGY, LTD WILL NOT ASSUME LIABILITY FOR
INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE , OR OTHER SIMILAR
DAMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION OR MALFUNCTION OF
THIS PRODUCT. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT TO BE USED FOR MEDICAL
PURPOSES OR FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT A
TOY. KEEP OUT OF CHILDREN’S REACH.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights
specific to your State. Some States do no allow the exclusion of
consequential or incidental damages therefore the above exclusion of
limitation may not apply to you.

For warranty work, technical support, or information con tact:

All rights reserved. This handbook must not be reproduced in any form, even
in excerpts, or duplicated or processed usi ng electronic, mechanical or
chemical procedures without written permission of the publisher.

This handbook may contain mistakes and printing errors. The information in
this handbook is regularly checked and correcti ons made in the next issue.
We accept no liability for technical mistakes or printing errors, or their
consequences.
All trademarks and patents are acknowledged.

La Crosse Technology, Ltd

2809 Losey Blvd. S.

La Crosse, WI 54601

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

(information on other products)

www.lacrossetechnology.com

e-mail:

(warranty work)

web:

Pacific Time
(-8h GMT)

ATOMIC WALL CLOCK

PENDULE MURALE ATOMIQUE

RELOJ ATOMICO DE PARED

Instruction manual

Livret d’instructions

Manual de Instrucciones

Canada

Mountain Time
(-7h GMT)

Central Time
(-6h GMT)

Eastern Time
(-5h GMT)

United States

Mexico