AVENUE PLUS – Digital garden thermometer with solar lighting
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DCF radio controlled time
The time base for the radio-controlled time is a caesium atomic clock operated by the
Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt based in Braunschweig (Brunswick), Germany. It has a
time deviation of less than one second in one million years. The time is coded and transmitted
from Mainflingen near Frankfurt via the frequency signal DCF-77 (77.5 kHz) and has a transmit-
ting range of approximately 1,500 km. The adjustment to Daylight Saving Time (summer/winter
time) is automatic. In Daylight Saving Time the DST symbol is shown on the LCD. The reception
quality depends mainly on geographic location. Normally there should be no reception prob-
lems within a 1,500 km radius around Frankfurt.
Please note the following when starting the unit:
• The recommended distance to any interfering sources like computer screens or TV sets is at
least 1.5 - 2 meters.
• Within concrete walls (reinforced with steel) such as basements, the received signal is natu-
rally weakened. Outdoors, the radio signal is usually better received.
• During night-time, the atmospheric interference is usually less severe and reception is pos-
sible in most cases. A single daily reception is adequate to keep the accuracy deviation under
1 second.
5.2 Manual clock setting
• Manual time setting is only possible if the clock cannot detect the DCF-signal.
• Immediately after batteries were inserted - when holding MODE button for 3 seconds as
long as the DCF reception symbol is flashing - the unit automatically enters the setting mode
and the DST symbol begins to flash.
DST symbol setting
• When in summertime, press +1 button when the DST symbol is flashing to confirm the set-
ting. The symbol remains on the display.
• During standard time press +1 button once again and the DST symbol disappears.
Clock setting and DCF reception activation/deactivation
a. Press the MODE button.
b. The hour digit flashes.
c. Press +1 button to set the hours. Hold and press the button to fast forward the numbers.
d. Press the MODE button again and set minutes in the same way.
AVENUE PLUS – Digital garden thermometer with solar lighting
5. Getting started
• Open the battery compartment by a screw driver.
• Insert the batteries (above: rechargeable battery 1 x 1,2 V AA for the illumination; down: bat-
tery 1 x 1,5 V AA for all functions) into the battery compartment, observing the correct
polarity.
• ATTENTION: The 1.2 V rechargeable battery for the backlight is not fully charged when
shipped. For maximum efficiency it is advisable to have the rechargeable battery fully
charged by the solar panel on a sunny day before the first use. Alternatively, the
rechargeable battery can be recharged with an ordinary battery charger.
• Pull the protective foil off the display.
• The unit is now ready to use.
• All LCD segments will light up for about a few seconds
• 0:00 and “DCF enable” appear on the display and the DCF symbol flashes.
• By default, the DCF reception is activated and after successful reception of the DCF signal no
manual adjustment is necessary.
• If the clock cannot detect the DCF-signal (e.g. due to interference, transmitting distance,
etc.), the time can be set manually.
• The clock will then work as a normal quartz clock (see: manual clock setting).
5.1 Radio-controlled time reception
• The clock will now scan the DCF frequency signal. When the time code is successfully
received after 2-10 minutes, the radio-controlled time and the DCF symbol will be shown
steadily on the display.
• The DCF reception always takes place daily at 2:00 and 3:00 o'clock in the morning. If the
reception is not successfully received at 3:00 o'clock, the next DCF reception attempt will
happen at 4:00 o'clock.
• You can also start the initialization manually.
• Press and hold the button for 6 seconds. In case the DCF reception symbol was already
displayed, it disappears and starts flashing after 20 seconds. The DCF reception is activated.
• There are four different reception states:
flashing – reception is active
solid – reception is very good
no symbol, “DCF enable” displayed - set the clock manually, reception is still activated
no symbol - set the clock manually, reception is deactivated
TFA_No. 30.2030_Anleit_10_16 13.10.2016 11:42 Uhr Seite 8
