Turn Water into Power 

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H₂O powered clock

£19.95 from Gizoo

Combining the current drive towards energy conservation with the extreme weather conditions we have had to endure during the summer months and a product available from Gizoo.com seems entirely appropriate.  That product is a clock with alarm, timer, and the ability to display the current temperature in either Centigrade or Fahrenheit.   However none of these functions have anything to do with the previously mentioned appropriateness.  The reason is to do with how the clock is powered.

Instead of using the mains or the various traditional types of battery, this clock uses tap water as its power source.  Admittedly the water is poured into a battery unit which then slots into the back of the clock.  But at least it does save on the use of ordinary batteries and mains power.  Once the battery power begins to diminish, you simple add more water to the battery container to replenish the H₂O power.

Circular in shape with a silver bezel running round the clock face and a black plastic rim, this water-powered clock has a diameter of 80mm and is 32mm thick.  Triangular indentations are located at the four main compass points around the rim of the clock.  Lined up with these indentations are icons representing the alarm, timer and temperature functions plus the off switch to for stopping the alarm. These indentations also have another use of which I will return to later.

Positioned at the back of the clock, along with the battery compartment, are buttons to adjust and set the time plus other settings.  Initially you will need to set the time and date.  Unfortunately only the American date format of month, day and year is available but fortunately only the minimum of effort is required to carry out this task.  Other settings did tend to cause more of a problem.

Basically by turning the clock through 90 degrees clockwise, helped by the positioning of the indentations, the clock is meant to switch to the alarm setting mode.  However the clock is particularly sensitive and often required several attempts, on one occasion it took more than ten attempts, before it would switch to the correct mode.  Even when I was able to set the alarm, the resulting sound was fairly weak - so weak , in fact, that it would really struggle to wake up most people.  A similar faint sound is emitted to signal each hour.

The same sensitivity problem occurred when trying to get the clock to switch to timer and temperature modes by turning the clock a further 90 degrees in each case.  It certainly required a great deal of patience and many attempts before these modes kicked in and adjustment and settings could be made.  This clock lacks a backlight feature which means that it would be unsuitable for dark locations.

This water powered clock has been priced at £19.95 and keeps particularly good time when checked against various atomic clocks.  You will need to replenish the water approximately every three months.

http://www.gizoo.co.uk/Products/EcoFriendly/EnergySaving/WaterPoweredClock.htm