I would like to have a clock run backwards so it runs correctly in a mirror. Is it as simple as installing the battery into the clock mechanism backward? I haven’t found any designs or tips about this in MakerWorld.
It is an interesting question, but no, you can not just install the battery backwards. Although depending on the kit you have, it might be possible to reverse the connections on the motor.
Or you might be able to flip the worm gear.
I might have to take apart the clock kit and see what is possible.
Some more context to what you are trying to do would be great.
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Installing the battery backwards, the mechanism would not work. I don’t know if reversing the wires would work.
Gear flipping or motor-rewiring will definitely be more viable than battery polarity. Anything that runs on a circuit board probably has a rectifier/diode to prevent reversal
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With the clock kit from Bambu, this is definitely not possible.
They use a odd set of very cheap gears and the motor wiring is built into the board.
There would be a better chance using a older style.
Anyways I think that almost no one would be willing to do that amount of modifications if this was posted.
In Josh’s megathread we discussed this very briefly. As noted not possible with the kit Bambu sells but some clock kits can be modified to run backwards.
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Yes, I suspected as much.
I have a plain clock with no numbers in my bathroom. I only really look at it when I am at the mirror.
Go digital…
5555555555555555555555
Add a neutral gear at the motor output; it will reverse the motion of all the subsequent gears. Odd numbers of gears make the final gear and the initial gear turn the same direction. Even numbers and the final gear turns opposite to the initial.
There are backward clock mechanisms being sold on aliexpress.
What you are looking for is simply a clockwork mechanism that turns left / reversing movements. You can find it on Amazon, or even on Ali… Just search for “Reverse Movement Mechanism.” It is even available in standard sizes, as in the MakerWorld Kit.
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Thanks for the tip. Bambu does not seem to post the dimensions of the clock mechanism. They do mention the packaging size, which seems less than useful.
This is presumably because the manufacturer has changed size over time. Some people who offer the watches as 3D models can tell you a thing or two about this, as users suddenly write: ‘The kit no longer fits!’ That’s why you always have to allow for some margin of error. It’s kind of a “standard size”, but not exactly to the millimeter. They take it all a bit more lightly.
In the ZIP you can download from the “3D Model” link in the store page, a STEP file is included. Would you be able to pull dimensions from that?
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swapping numbers and hands around , did someone try that once upon a time ago ?
The MakerWorld clock mechanism is very common and if you look for “ TIKROUND Youngtown 12888” you’ll find a lot of them. Where they seem to differ is in the length of the threaded part that sticks through the clock face, if it’s a sweep second hand or jumps (or if there is a second hand) etc.
I looked to see if any of that style were reverse mechanisms but didn’t see any (may have missed). It could also be the number is specific to conventional direction and a different number is the reversed version. Exercise for the reader I guess.