Comments on: Fantazein moving wand clock

By: Lee Copper

Lee Copper — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:49:51 +0000

My clock has worked very well for 6 or so years. I unplugged it 4 days age and just now plugged it in but it justs sets there motionless. Directions unknown. Isn’t there a trick to restarting it? Transformer is warm, and LEDs blink when plugging in and out. Can you help me?
Thanks

By: Harischandra

Harischandra — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:51:43 +0000

This is exactly what I want from past few months. I say a sample image on site and till now I was thinking that the wand was moved forth and back by reversing the coil current flow or something else. And I have a doubt about how they are able to stop and pull back the wand in reverse direction with such a fast movement. And I thought of constructing one like this. I have tried with Hard disk head. I got sufficient oscillations/second. But I am unable to stop the wand at a particular position. And it has very less deviation. So, I thought of making the coil by myself to get more deviation. But as I am not an expert with mechanical or electro-magnets I could not succeed. If anybody can post few more pictures/details about the coil and wand move mechanism I will get an idea from that to construct my self. Once I built complete set i will post entire project.

By: CBS

CBS — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:11:47 +0000

My clock stopped working after 4 years, is there a place that repairs them ?? Winter9877@aol.com

By: vhm14u2c

vhm14u2c — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:29:56 +0000

Hi,
Thanks for the useful schematics. I may try replacing a few parts in a broken fantazein clock I have. The wand has stopped “pulsing” and 8 leds are on solid with minimal and sometimes no movement. Sometimes, the wand pulses twice with a bigger movement, and sometimes it works for a day, then goes back to no or minimal pulse/solid leds.
I may replace the LM339, KSP2907A, or the 470mf 25v electrolytic. I have checked the voltages from the power supply(healthy 12vac), and off of the 7805 (5 vdc). I just hope the problem is not in the big or small 8pin proms.
The unit broke within less than a year from purchase(2000-2001), and when I contacted the fantazein customer support, they wanted me to break off the top of the wand(leds) and send it to them with a payment of $50 for a new clock. I was not willing to do this which may only be a part that might cost less than a dollar to fix.

PS - one more thing, my 8pin prom is under a different part number, 93c66 instead of 93c56.

By: Johnjay

Johnjay — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 03:36:40 +0000

how can an inventor think of this stuff??????

By: joan

joan — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:59:48 +0000

I need the wand for my clock could you please send me info on how i can replace it.

By: Ravi Upadhyaya

Ravi Upadhyaya — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:15:03 +0000

Hi D18c7db:

Great work - and indeed a very fascinating device. But after a few months - the triangular metal flange broke and Fantazein - the manufacturers were not of much help. I am unable to find a substitute for the same. I tried to make 1 myself using metal strips - did not work. I know from your page you are a very busy person - am trying my luck here - it the only thing am left with - as far as this clock goes.

Thanks for any help.

Ravi Upadhyaya

By: Don Karp

Don Karp — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 14:24:32 +0000

Your schematic is not to clear. I have one of these clocks and it has quit working. I would like to have a clear schematic so I can troubleshoot and find the problem. I worked in electronics for years and now have retired.
Thanks

By: ahmed

ahmed — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:50:44 +0000

is good

By: Alan Parekh

Alan Parekh — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 07:41:55 +0000

Thanks, I always wondered what the moving part looked like on the inside.