# Water clock. Is this possible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 10, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246 "2020-11-10T21:02:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/1 "2020-11-10T21:02:12Z")
Here is part of an ad from the Christmas catalog of a very reliable hardware store: “When you add ordinary tap water, the clock uses water’s naturally occurring positive and negative ions, producing clean energy that will keep the clock running for 4 to 12 months. … When the clock’s [LCD] display begins to fade, simply pour out the old water and refill.” What is going on here? I realize tap water isn’t pure and may have a Ph slightly above or below 7, but where is the energy coming from and how can the old water differ from new water? ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/2 "2020-11-10T21:10:41Z")
For what it’s worth, I found a similar device on Amazon, and one review claims it is actually powered by a hidden batter: > [@](#): > > The device runs on a small battery hidden inside of the white portion of the device, and has a sensor that only turns on the clock if there is water inside. (See photo) This product states that it is water powered, however if you take any metal object and touch it to both of the metal rods inside of the water chamber, the clock powers up. After opening the device, a small button cell battery is immediately visible. (The large circular part attached to the brown board) and that battery powers the clock. The correct title of this product is: “Battery powered clock that only turns on with water inside and after the battery dies you have to throw the whole thing in the bin or open it up to replace the battery” ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/3 "2020-11-10T21:13:20Z")
Link to review with alleged photos of hidden battery: > **[Check out this Amazon review of Eco Friendly Gifts Water Powered Clocks Kids...](https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R381XAHAPE2CJ9/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07RT586WH)** > > Powered by a non replaceable battery ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/4 "2020-11-10T21:18:10Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > …hidden battery… That’s almost comical. It’s similar to the shake powered flashlights fakes that also had a hidden battery and no shake power circuit at all. Imagine how many worldwide hours were wasted shaking a dummy charger. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/5 "2020-11-10T21:55:54Z")
I can’t wait to tell my Pet Rock! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/6 "2020-11-10T22:26:01Z")
Staggering! What is this crap about replacing the water then? My battery powered watch runs for several years and then I can replace the battery. So basically it is a scam. I thought more highly of Lee Valley (I assume any Canadian will recognize the name). ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/7 "2020-11-10T23:19:47Z")
I see the product on Amazon is ‘currently unavailable’ - which is what sometimes happens when enough people complain about a product being a scam. I thought this was going to be one of those clocks where you’re basically adding an electrolyte; for those, the clock is not really so much powered by the liquid, but by the corrosion of the immersed metal parts. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/8 "2020-11-11T00:30:16Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I thought this was going to be one of those clocks where you’re basically adding an electrolyte; for those, the clock is not really so much powered by the liquid, but by the corrosion of the immersed metal parts. And I thought the thread was going to be about historical water clocks and their (im)preciseness. > **[Water clock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clock)** > > A water clock or clepsydra (from Ancient Greek κλεψύδρα (klepsúdra) 'pipette, water clock'; from κλέπτω (kléptō) 'to steal', and ὕδωρ (hydor) 'water'; lit. 'water thief') is a timepiece by which time is measured by the regulated flow of liquid into (inflow type) or out from (outflow type) a vessel, and where the amount is then measured. > Water clocks are one of the oldest time-measuring instruments. The bowl-shaped outflow is the simplest form of a water clock and is known to have existed in ... ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/9 "2020-11-11T00:43:40Z")
Lee Valley is quite often guilty of selling fanciful pieces of crap, despite their fully deserved reputation of high quality. Oftentimes too, their super-deluxe-handcrafted-from-the-best-in-the-most-remote-region-of-Moldovakia-by-120-year-old-monks version of things is not worth the exuberant prices. One example being their finish tool pouches, the $120 german version is smaller and less robust than the $45 dollar BOSSA from IHL. Lacking rivets in key places, a hard to adjust belt, and other minor differences. Gripes aside, I LOVES me some Lee Valley, it is definitely on the “only go there when I need to” list. (Otherwise I buy things I don’t actually need!) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/10 "2020-11-11T00:49:41Z")
> [@Drummond\_Bays](#): > > Lee Valley is quite often guilty of selling fanciful pieces of crap, despite their fully deserved reputation of high quality. - I see a contradiction. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/11 "2020-11-11T00:54:21Z")
Hmmm… Have you ever been to one? They mainly stock the best of the best, highest quality things they carry. Things come at a premium price, but quite often they sell seemingly cool or unique things that turn out to be shoddy, or somewhat spurious, like the aforementioned water clock. Otherwise they are a fantastic chain, I carry their wares with pride. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/12 "2020-11-11T00:58:15Z")
> [@Drummond\_Bays](#): > > Have you ever been to one? Have you not noticed the contradiction in your own post? ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/13 "2020-11-11T01:05:07Z")
Yes, although I am slightly confused as to the significance of it. A subject normally known for having a high percentage of quality items is also known for having a low percentage of its wares be of questionable quality/value. Due to the volume of wares they carry, this happens often… I must be missing something? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/14 "2020-11-11T01:11:36Z")
> [@Drummond\_Bays](#): > > Due to the volume of wares they carry, this happens often… No one is vetting the products they carry? Sorry, if a retailer has a reputation of high quality, that means you can have confidence in everything they carry, not just a low chance of getting crap. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/15 "2020-11-11T01:18:36Z")
I’m not trying to be rude or anything, my apologies if it seems such. Written grammar is not my forte, but is it surprising to you that a company known for good standards once in a while slips up? Perhaps peruse their website, read a few reviews? Lee Valley has a good reputation, even the OP states them as very reliable. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/16 "2020-11-11T09:07:44Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > And I thought the thread was going to be about historical water clocks and their (im)preciseness. Me too, though I would have said “(im)precision” - not a jab, just a friendly suggestion as this is a pet peeve of mine (using a, usually longer, version of a word when an existing version already exists, e.g. “burglarize” instead of “burgle” for the act of breaking into a house and stealing). > [@Drummond\_Bays](#): > > Oftentimes too, their super-deluxe-handcrafted-from-the-best-in-the-most-remote-region-of-Moldovakia-by-120-year-old-monks version of things is not worth the exuberant prices. Since I’m on a roll, I think you meant ‘exorbitant’. Again, not a jab, just thought I’d mention it. It was perfectly clear what you meant. I also agree with you that it’s possible for a chain to have a reputation for good quality despite slipping up occasionally. If those slip-ups become more frequent, the reputation will change. Maybe for some people one slip-up is too many. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/17 "2020-11-11T09:55:53Z")
Heh, you are right, my good sir! (Or madam!) From brain to keys, much is lost! Exorbitant it is, i shall do 50 lines on the chalkboard as repentance! I am still slightly… Befuddled at the reaction to this discussion as the store in question is considered in such high regard around these parts. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/18 "2020-11-11T18:00:16Z")
I know nothing of Lee Valley as such. But there are certainly any number of retailers over the years who’ve built up a high reputation for quality products at (perhaps) premium prices who then had craptacular management move in (or buy in) and destroy the brand’s value by trying to cash in by selling junk at the same premium prices. Sears did it with their lesser line of not-Craftsman tools. LL Bean & Land’s End each did it with clothing, etc. Lee Valley may well be in the middle of just such a management-led assault / scam on their prior reputation. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/19 "2020-11-11T21:43:40Z")
I seem to recall digital watches being made for 3rd world countries that would work by dunking them in water. A quick Google search failed to find anything to confirm my memory. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246/20 "2020-11-11T23:44:46Z")
Lee Valley is sells items in four primary categories: 1. Woodworking tools, especially hand tools 2. Cabinetry hardware 3. Lawn and garden tools 4. Miscellaneous kitschy novelty items The first three categories of items are almost universally excellent quality, and often they have items that can’t be found elsewhere. For example, searching for hand planes at the Home Depot, I get 5 results, only 3 of which are actually woodworking planes. If I search for hand planes at Lee Valley, I get this: [https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/planes](https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/planes) 16 pages of results, including 60 planes, many of which are specialty tools. If you use the search function on that page, you can also find the “water clock” from the OP. The miscellaneous novelty items are a complete crapshoot, and have very little bearing on the reputation of the items in the other categories. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-clock-is-this-possible/925246.md?page=2)