Ampère 220/300mA pulse driver (English clocks)

The Ampère provides unipolar pulses with a fixed current of 220 or 300 milliamperes, adjustable with a selector switch: 220mA for Gents, 300mA for Synchronome, E.C.S. and Smiths. Default: one pulse every 30 seconds.

• Including connection terminals
• Includes Velcro for mounting
• Includes battery box for 4x 1.5V AA (batteries not included)*

Suitable for electric slave clocks from the English clockmaker Gents (Gents of Leicester Electric clock system). Often the slave clocks of the English Magneta can also be driven with it. With the selector switch (DIP switch 1) set to 300mA the Ampère is also suitable for the English movements of Synchronome, E.C.S. and Smiths (Smiths English Clocks Ltd, London).

• Selector switch 220mA / 300mA (DIP switch 1: down 220mA, up 300mA)
• For one or two movements (double-sided clock)
• Power supply: DC Jack and USB-C connector
• No series or adjustment resistor required

The Ampère outputs pulses with a fixed current of 220 or 300 milliamperes, adjustable with DIP switch 1: 220mA for Gents, 300mA for Synchronome, E.C.S. and Smiths. Default: one unipolar pulse every 30 seconds. These movements sometimes consume a lot of power, and battery consumption is therefore quite high. We recommend replacing rechargeable batteries every six months.

The pulse generator does not automatically synchronize with an external source such as DCF or GPS, and must therefore be set to time manually. Pulses can be generated for this purpose using the button.

Pulses

The current is automatically regulated by the electronics on the pulse generator. As a result, a series or adjustment resistor is not required. With this fixed current, the voltage has actually become variable. This depends on the movement, but also, for example, on the resistance in the wiring. The voltage is automatically set to the correct value.

By default, the Ampère has the configuration below, tuned for Gents movements (for Synchronome, E.C.S. and Smiths: set DIP switch 1 to 300mA):

• Pulse polarity: Non-alternating (unipolar)
• Pulse frequency: 1 pulse per 30 seconds (or 1 per second)
• Pulse Length: 50, 100, 150, 300 milliseconds (small)

Check 'configuration options' for all possibilities.

Batteries

Due to the relatively high power consumption, the batteries drain quite quickly with these movements. However, with some care and attention, the batteries can still last at least a year.

• Use the shortest pulse length on the pulse driver. The shorter the pulse, the less energy each pulse uses.
• Check the movement carefully. Make sure that it runs smoothly and the spring is not adjusted unnecessarily tightly

Is the movement still good?

Use a multimeter to measure the resistance of a movement as an indication of whether it is still OK:

• A Gents (or similar) movement will measure a resistance of around 3 to 5 Ω (ohms).
• A Synchronome, E.C.S. or Smiths movement usually measures 3 to 7 Ω.
• Measure without the movement being electrically connected.
• A very low value (approaching 0) indicates a short circuit, probably in the coil.
• A double-sided clock also measures 2x the resistance value, because the movements are in series.

Double-sided clock

The Ampère provides current-controlled pulses, so multiple movements must be connected in series to the pulse driver.