La Crosse WS-8157U Radio-Controlled Clock
GLOSSARY OF COMMON TERMS
NIST*
The National Institute of Standards and Technology maintains the primary frequency standard for the
United States. The NIST also coordinates the United States’ time and frequency standards with other
world standards. The NIST provides time and frequency services for United States clientele.
WWVB*
The WWVB is an AM radio station in Ft. Collins, Colorado, managed by the NIST. The WWVB’s function is to broadcast time-of-day information derived from the NIST atomic clock, located in Boulder, Colorado.
ATOMIC CLOCK*
An atomic clock is an extremely accurate time device measuring time by the movements of electrons in
cesium atoms. The NIST atomic clock is one of the most precise clocks in the world, accurate to 10 billionths of one second. The NIST’s atomic clock contributes to the international group of clocks calculating the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)—the official world time.
RADIO CONTROLLED TIME*
A radio-controlled time device is often confused with an atomic clock. However, a radio-controlled time
device receives its time information from the atomic clock each day through an internal antenna. The
radio-controlled time device searches for an exact time signal every night when the signal from the
WWVB is the strongest. The signal can be received up to 2,000 miles away through a radio-controlled
time device.
LCD
“LCD” is an acronym for ”Liquid Crystal Display”. This is a common type of display screen used in
televisions, computers, watches, and digital clocks.
CELSIUS (°C)
Celsius is the metric system’s unit of measurement used to calculate the temperature.
FAHRENHEIT (°F)
Fahrenheit is the common unit of measurement used to calculate temperature in the United States. *For more information regarding the NIST, WWVB, atomic clock, and radio-controlled time, please visit the NIST official website: http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/stations/wwvb.htm
FEATURES:
RADIO-CONTROLLED CLOCK:
- WWVB Radio controlled time with manual time setting
- Time reception ON/OFF
- 12/24 hour time display
- Time display: hour, minute, second
- Alarm setting with snooze function
- Calendar display
- Weekday display (4 languages to choose from: English, French, Spanish and German)
- Time zone setting
- Daylight savings time ON/OFF option (DST)
- LCD contrast setting
- ºC or ºF temperature display selectable
- Indoor temperature display
- Outdoor temperature display via 433MHz transmission
- Wall mount or freestanding
- Weather forecast for next 12 to 20 hours based on changing air pressure
OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER:
- Remote transmission of outdoor temperature to the radio-controlled clock by 433 MHz signals
- Wall mounting case
TO INSTALL AND REPLACE BATTERIES IN THE TEMPERATURE
TRANSMITTER(INSTALL BATTERIES IN TRANSMITTER BEFORE INSTALLING BATTERIES IN RADIO-CONTROLLED CLOCK)
The transmitter uses 2 x AA,1.5V batteries. To install and replace the batteries, please follow
the steps below:
- Remove the battery cover by pushing it down toward the bottom of the transmitter and sliding
cover out. - Insert the batteries, observing the correct polarity (see marking inside the attery compartment).
- Replace the battery cover on the unit.
ALKALINE BATTERIES ARE RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN BOTH UNITS. AVOID USING RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES.
TO INSTALL AND REPLACE BATTERIES IN THE RADIO-CONTROLLED CLOCK
The radio-controlled clock uses 2 x AA,1.5V batteries. To install and replace the batteries, please follow the steps below:
- Insert a finger or other solid object in the space at the bottom center of the battery
compartment and lift up to remove the cover. - Insert batteries observing the correct polarity (see marking inside the battery compartment).
- Replace the compartment cover.
DO NOT SET THE CLOCK.
BATTERIES CHANGE:
For best performance, batteries should be replaced at least once a year to maintain the best running accuracy. Ensure that the batteries used are new and the correct size. Please help in the preservation of the environment and return used batteries to an authorized depot.
SETTING-UP:
Alkaline batteries are recommended for use in both units. Avoid using rechargeable batteries.
NOTE: Do not set up the clock until the outdoor temperature is displayed.
- Place batteries in the outdoor transmitter first, then into the radio-controlled clock. DO NOT PRESS ANY BUTTONS FOR 15 MINUTES.
- After 15 minutes both the Indoor and Outdoor areas on your clock should have a temperature showing. If not, remove both sets of batteries, wait 15 minutes, and repeat step one.
- After the clock receives the outdoor temperature, set your time zone using the manual settings below. The default (factory) time zone is Eastern Standard Time.
- After the clock receives the outdoor temperature the WWVB time code reception will automatically start. This reception typically takes between 10-15 minutes in good conditions. If after 15 minutes the WWVB time has not been received, use the “SET” key to manually enter the set-up mode and change either the time or date in order to activate the WWVB reception (see manual settings below). The clock will then automatically attempt to receive the WWVB time from 12:00 am through 6:00 am each day (attempts WWVB reception every full hour within this time frame). When this is successful, the received time will override the manually set time. The date is also updated with the received time (Please refer to notes on “Manual time setting”).
Note:
In the event of changing the batteries of the unit, ensure that the batteries do not spring free from the contacts. Always wait at least 15 minutes after removing the batteries before reinserting, otherwise start up and transmission problems may occur.
FUNCTION KEYS
The radio-controlled clock has four easy-to-use keys:
- SET key:
- To enter into the set mode for the following functions: LCD contrast, time zone, DST ON/OFF (daylight saving time), time reception ON/OFF, language, 12/24 hour, ºC or ºF temperature, hour, minute, year, month and day display
- + key:
- To toggle between the second, temperature or weekday display
- To change any values in manual set mode
- ALM key:
- To enter into the alarm set mode
- To set the alarm ON/OFF
- SNZ key:
- To activate the snooze function during alarm
LCD SCREEN DESCRIPTIONS
The radio-controlled clock’s LCD is divided into 2 sections and once the batteries are inserted, all the segments will light up briefly before displaying the information for time, date, and indoor and outdoor temperatures.
WEATHER FORECAST
The weather forecasting feature is estimated to be 75% accurate. The weather forecast is based solely upon the change of air pressure over time. The WS-8157U averages past air-pressure readings to provide an accurate forecast, creating a necessity to disregard all weather forecasting for 12-24 hours after the unit has been set up, reset, or moved from one altitude to another (i.e. from one floor of a building to another floor). In areas where the weather is not affected by the change of air pressure, this feature will be less accurate.
Weather Icons
There are 3 possible weather icons that will be displayed in the LCD 2:
- Sunny—indicates that the weather is expected to improve (not that the weather will be sunny).
- Sun with Clouds—indicates that the weather is expected to be fair (not that the weather will be
sunny with clouds). - Clouds with Rain—indicates that the weather is expected to get worse (not that the weather will
be rainy).
The weather icons change when the unit detects a change in air pressure. The icons change in order, from “sunny” to “partly sunny” to “cloudy” or the reverse. It will not change from “sunny” directly to “rainy”, although it is possible for the change to occur quickly. If the symbols do not change then the weather has not changed, or the change has been slow and gradual.
Weather Tendency Arrows
Other possible displays in LCD 2 are 2 weather tendency arrows, one that points up (on the left side of the forecast) and one that points down (on the right side of the forecast). These arrows reflect current changes in the air pressure. An arrow pointing up indicates that the air pressure is increasing and the weather is expected to improve or remain good. An arrow pointing down indicates that the air pressure is decreasing and the weather is expected to become worse or remain poor. No arrow means the pressure is stable.
MANUAL SETTINGS
Note: If the radio-controlled clock has already successfully received the WWVB time signal and displays the correct time and date, then the Manual settings can be skipped. After completion of the above-described procedures in “Setting-up,” the manual setting modes can be entered by pressing and holding the SET key for 3 seconds. The following settings can now be programmed:
- LCD contrast setting
- Time zone setting
- DST ON/OFF
- Time reception ON/OFF
- Language display setting
- 12/24 hour time display setting
- ºC or ºF setting
- Manual time setting
- Year setting
- Month setting
- Date setting
LCD CONTRAST SETTING
After entering the manual setting mode as described above, the LCD contrast can be set within 8 levels, from LCD 0 to LCD7 (The default setting is LCD 5):
- The LCD contrast digit will start flashing in LCD2. (Default setting “5“).
- Select the desired LCL contrast level by pressing and releasing the + key. The level can be set between 0-7.
- Press and release the SET key to enter the “Time Zone Setting“.
TIME ZONE SETTING
The time zone can be set between the +12 to –12 hour or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) range in LCD2. To do this:
- The time zone (LCD2) will start flashing (Default setting “-5“). Select the desired time zone by
pressing and releasing the + key.
Note: The time zones from –4 to –10 hours will be displayed with 3 characters abbreviations:- -4 ATL (Atlantic time),
- -5 EST (Eastern time; default time zone),
- -6 CST (Central time),
- -7 MST (Mountain time),
- -8 PST (Pacific time),
- -9 ALA (Alaska time),
- -10 HAW (Hawaii time).
- “GMT” will be displayed if set to GMT (0).
- Press and release the SET key to enter the “DST Setting“.
DST SETTING (daylight saving time)
- The ON digit will start flashing on LCD1. Set the DST ON or OFF by pressing the + key.
- Press and release the SET key to enter the “Time Reception Setting“.
Note:
The DST default is “ON”, meaning that the WWVB will automatically change the time according to Daylight Saving Time in the spring and fall. For areas that do not recognize DST changes (Arizona and parts of Indiana) turn the DST “OFF”.
TIME RECEPTION SETTING (ON/OFF)
In areas where reception of the WWVB time is not possible, the WWVB time reception function can be turned OFF. The clock will then work as a normal Quartz clock. (Default setting is ON).
- The ON digit will start flashing on LCD1. Set the RCC ON or OFF by pressing the + key.
- Press and release the SET key to enter the “Language Setting“.
Note:
If the Time Reception function is turned OFF manually, the clock will not attempt any reception of the WWVB time as long as the Time Reception OFF function is activated. The Time Reception icon will not be displayed on the LCD.
LANGUAGE SETTING
The weekdays can be displayed in LCD2 with the pre-set languages: US English, French, Spanish, and German.
- Set the desired language for the weekday display in LCD 2 by using the + key.
- Press and release the SET key to enter the mode “12/24 Time Display Setting”.
12/24 HOURS TIME DISPLAY SETTING
- The “12h” or “24h” will start flashing in LCD2 (Default setting 12h). Select the desired time display mode by use of the + key.
- Press and release the SET key to enter the “ºC/ºF Temperature Setting“.
°C OR °F TEMPERATURE SETTING
- The characters “°F” or “°C” will start flashing on LCD2 (Default setting °F). By use of the + key select “°C” for temperature display in degrees Celsius or “°F” for degrees Fahrenheit.
- Press and release the SET key to enter the “ºManual Time Setting”.
YEAR SETTING
The year can be selected sequentially from 2003 to 2029 and will then start over again (default setting 2005). Only the last 2 digits of the year will be visible on LCD2. The year will only appear in the manual setting mode.
- The year digits will start flashing on LCD2. Select the desired year by using the + key.
- Press and release the SET key to switch to the “Month Setting”.
MONTH SETTING
- The month digits on LCD2 will start flashing. Set the desired month by using the + key.
- Press and release the SET key to move to the mode “Date Setting”.
DATE SETTING
- The digits for the date will start flashing on LCD2 (Default setting 1). Set the desired date by use of the + key.
- Press and release the SET key to exit the setting mode and switch back to the normal display mode.
EXIT THE MANUAL SETTING MODES
- To return to the normal display mode from anywhere in manual setting mode simply press the SNZ key anytime.
- If no keys are pressed for at least 15 seconds in setting mode, the radio-controlled clock will automatically switch back to normal display mode.
CHANGING THE DISPLAY MODE (DAY, SECONDS, AND TEMPERATURES)
There are 4 possible display modes to view the day, seconds, and temperatures. The indoor temperature/outdoor temperature/month&date/weekday is the default.
To change the display:
- Press the + key. The display should now show the seconds/outdoor temperature/ month&date/weekday.
- Press the + key a second time and the display will now show the indoor temperature/seconds/month & date/weekday.
- Press the + key a third time and the display will now show the indoor temperature/outdoor temperature/month & date/seconds. Press the + key a fourth time and the display will return to the normal display.
ALARM SETTING
To enter into the alarm setting mode:
- Hold the ALM key for 4 seconds. The hour digits start flashing.
- Press and release the + key to set the hour.
- Press and release the ALM key to set the minutes. The minute digits start flashing.
- Press and release the + key to set the minutes.
- Press and release again the ALM key to exit the Alarm setting mode or wait for 15 seconds for automatic timeout.
TO DEACTIVATE THE ALARM:
The alarm will be automatically ON when the alarm time is set. To deactivate the alarm (OFF), press and release once the ALM key is in normal mode displayed. The alarm icon will disappear, the alarm is now off.
SNOOZE SETTING
The snooze can only be activated during alarm time for a snooze duration of 10 minutes by pressing the SNZ key on the back of the clock
OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER:
The temperature is measured and transmitted to the radio-controlled clock every 1 minute. The radio-controlled clock will update the temperature display every 5 minutes. The range of the outdoor temperature transmitter may be affected by the temperature. At cold temperatures, the transmitting distance may be decreased. Please bear this in mind when positioning the transmitter. Also, the batteries may be reduced in power during periods of extreme cold temperatures.
433MHz RECEPTION CHECK FOR OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER
The radio-controlled clock will receive the temperature data within 4 minutes. If the temperature data is not being received 4 minutes after setting up (the display shows “- – -”), then please check the following points:
- The distance of the radio-controlled clock or outdoor temperature transmitter should be at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from any interfering sources such as computer monitors or TV sets.
- Avoid placing the receiver onto or in the immediate proximity of metal window frames.
- Using other electrical products such as headphones or speakers operating on the same signal frequency (433MHz) may prevent correct signal transmission and reception.
- Neighbors using electrical devices operating on the 433MHz signal frequency can also cause interference.
TROUBLESHOOTING:
| Problem: | The LCD is faint. |
| Solution: | 1) Replace the batteries. |
| Problem: | No reception of the WWVB signal |
| Solution: | 1) It may help reception to face the front of the radio-controlled clock in the general direction of Ft. Collins, Colorado. 2) Wait overnight for a signal. 3) Be sure the radio-controlled clock is at least 6 feet (2 meters) from any electrical devices, i.e. TV sets, computers, or other radio-controlled clocks. 4) Remove batteries for five minutes, reinsert, and leave the unit alone overnight without pressing any keys. |
| Problem: | The hour is incorrect (the minute and date are correct). |
| Solution: | 1) Be sure the correct time zone and daylight saving time are selected. |
| Problem: | “OF.L“ appears in the indoor temperature section of the LCD |
| Solution: | 1) Move the radio-controlled clock to an area with warmer or cooler surrounding temperatures. Current surrounding temperatures are outside the measuring range. |
| Problem: | “–.-” appears in the outdoor temperature section of the LCD. |
| Solution: | 1) Remove the batteries of both units for one minute, then reinsert them again. Make sure the batteries are new and fresh. 2) Move the radio-controlled clock closer to the transmitter or place the transmitter closer to the radio-controlled clock. Make sure the clock is at a receivable range from the transmitter. 3) Move the units to another location. Interferences from other electrical devices operating on the same signal frequency (433MHz) may prevent correct signal transmission and reception. |
| Problem: | “OF.L“ appears in the outdoor temperature section of the LCD. |
| Solution: | 1) Wait until the current surrounding temperature cools down or increases. Current temperature is outside of the measuring range of the transmitter. The outdoor temperature will be displayed again once the current surrounding temperature is within the range of the transmitter. |
CARE AND MAINTENANCE:
- Avoid placing the units in areas prone to vibration and shock as these may cause damage.
- Avoid areas where the units can be exposed to sudden changes in temperature, i.e. direct sunlight, extreme cold, and wet/moist conditions as these will lead to rapid changes that reduce the accuracy of readings.
- When cleaning the LCD and casing, use a soft damp cloth only. Do not use solvents or scouring agents.
- Do not submerge the units in water.
- Immediately remove all low-powered batteries to avoid leakage and damage. Replace only with new batteries of the recommended size.
- Do not make any repairs to the units. Please return it to the original point of purchase. Opening and tampering with the units may invalidate the warranty.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Temperature measuring range
- Indoor: +14.1ºF to +157.8ºF with 0.2ºF resolution -9.9ºC to +69.9ºC with 0.1ºC resolution (“OF.L” displayed if outside this range)
- Outdoor: -21.8ºF to +157.8ºF with 0.2ºF resolution -29.9ºC to +69.9ºC with 0.1ºC resolution (“OF.L“ displayed if outside this range)
Temperature checking interval
- Indoor: every 15 seconds
- Outdoor: every 5 minutes
- Transmission distance: maximum 330 feet (100 meters) in an open field, depending upon surrounding structures, mounting location, and possible interfering sources
A power source (Alkaline batteries recommended)
- Radio-controlled clock: 2 x AA, 1.5V batteries
- Transmitter: 2 x AA, 1.5V batteries
- Battery life: about 12 months
Dimensions (L x W x H)
- Radio-controlled clock: 12.20“ x 1.18“ x 8.03“ / 310 x 30 x 204m
- Transmitter: 1.57“ x 0.9“ x 5.04“ / 40 x 23 x 128 mm
For more manuals by La Crosse, visit ManualsLibraryy
La Crosse WS-8157U Radio-Controlled Clock-FAQs
How do I turn off or on the alarm on my La Crosse clock?
Press and release the ALARM button while viewing the regular time display. This will toggle the alarm on or off. The alarm time will briefly appear for about 2 seconds.
How long does it take for the atomic clock to set the correct time?
It may take up to 5 nights to fully synchronize with the atomic signal, especially if there’s atmospheric interference.
How does the La Crosse atomic clock set its time?
The clock automatically syncs with the WWVB radio signal broadcasted from Fort Collins, Colorado by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
How do I set the time on my radio-controlled clock?
Insert one AA battery, and the hands will reset to 12 o’clock. After 5–10 minutes, the clock will receive the signal and automatically adjust to the correct time.
Why does my La Crosse clock randomly change time?
These clocks automatically adjust for Daylight Saving Time using the WWVB radio signal. If the signal is weak or interfered with, it may cause unexpected time changes.
How can I switch the temperature display to Celsius?
In the La Crosse app or website, go to your Account Settings, then under Display Info, select “Display Metric (Celsius)” to switch from Fahrenheit.
Why is my La Crosse clock beeping?
Frequent beeping can be caused by low sensor batteries or a failing sensor. Even if no battery icon appears, try replacing the sensor batteries to stop the beeping.
Why is my atomic clock showing the wrong time zone?
If your clock is off by several hours, it’s likely due to an incorrect time zone setting. Refer to the manual to adjust the time zone correctly.
Why isn’t the time on my weather station updating?
If your station isn’t connected to the internet, you may need to manually set the time. If connected, try power-cycling (remove and reinsert the batteries) to reset the time.