LED Clock

When I received my car almost a year ago now, the original LED digital clock was dead. I removed it and tried to revive it but could not with my parts and tools on hand. I read somewhere around that time that the original clocks were filled w/ gas and when the seal breaks, it dies.

The first thing I did was try and source a replacement reproduction clock. I quickly found out that none of the DMC vendors had any such thing. Then I looked around for a used working replacement. This turned up nothing, as these original clocks command a premium and are rarely removed and sold if they are still working. Then I was told that the original clocks were the same units from the S2 Lotus Esprits slightly modified to fit the DMC. I looked for one of those as well but came up empty handed.

At this point I considered what it would take to build my own. I researched a few paths and came up with a plan that would require approx $70 in parts. Around that time I found a guy in England who was building a small handful of replacement clocks for the DMC-12. His price shipped to the U.S. was $105. I quickly ordered his last one less than a week ago.

It arrived yesterday believe it or not and I installed it last night. I am extremely happy with the end result. It looks fantastic and was a perfect fit. The original clocks required a constant 12v (+) from the car's battery to hold the memory for the clock. This one uses a small Lithium Ion "coin" type battery that should last for years. All I had to connect was a ground (-) and a 12v (+) from the keyed ignition (so the clock displays when you turn on the key).

 

And if you're wondering about the 24 HR functionality, currently this is the only way it works. BUT seeing as I set all my clocks (iPhone, daily driver, etc.) to 24 HR setting anyways, this worked out perfect for me. There is a colon that blinks in between the HH and MM. It just wasn't captured in the 2 photographs above.