Tackling the Tides: The Set Up

November 29, 2024

Tide Clocks monitor the high and low tides every 12 hours and 25 minutes. Tide Clocks are the ideal weather-watching instrument for those who plan beach activities, sea swims, and coastal walks.

Setting up:

• Firstly, you must decide where to hang your tide clock. Your clock must be positioned in an area where it can remain undisturbed, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Before hanging your tide clock, you must establish your local or desired tide time by referring to a local tide table or visiting, www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coastandsea/tidetables
• After establishing desired tide times, insert the correct battery into the back of the dial, these clocks require a 1 x AA battery, once inserted you should be able to hear a faint ticking from the dial mechanism.
• At exactly high tide, set your clock to the high tide/high water position (the needle should be pointing towards the 12 o’clock position,) you can adjust the hand by turning the small cog on the back of the dial.
• After your clock has been set to the correct tide position, hang your tide clock in the desired location using the keyhole fitting on the back of the dial.

How to record:

• The tide clock works on a timed mechanism of exactly 12 hours and 25 minutes for a complete rotation.
• The numbers displayed on the tide clock give an indication of hours remaining until high and low tide.
• High tide is displayed at the 12 o’clock position pointing towards the top of the dial and low tide is situated at the 6 o’clock position pointing towards the bottom of the dial.
• Our tide clocks allow you to monitor in real-time with just a glance, the location of current tides.

Maintenance:

• Due to the tide cycle being exact to 12 hours, 25 minutes, and 14 seconds it is recommended that you reset your tide clock to high tide/high water regularly to ensure accurate results.
• Most tidal areas have two high tides and two low tides per day; however, this isn’t the case for water bodies such as estuaries that have irregular tides, therefore you may need to reset your tide clock more often if tracking these tides.
• Atmospheric pressure can also affect tidal activity due to the changing volume of river flows and strong winds. Therefore, due to the variable nature of tides, our tide clocks are intended as a guide and shouldn’t be used as a safety device.
• Finally, if you wish to engrave your dial, this will render your clock suitable for indoor use only.

FAQs:

Do tide clocks need to be adjusted?
Tide clocks may need occasional adjustments to stay accurate. This is because local tide times can vary due to weather conditions, lunar phases, and other factors. It's important to check and adjust your clock every few weeks or after major weather events.

Can a tide clock be used anywhere?
Tide clocks are designed for specific locations and may not be accurate if used elsewhere. They are ideal for areas with regular tidal patterns. If you move, you may need to readjust your tide clock to your new location.

How accurate are tide clocks?
Tide clocks can be very accurate if properly set and regularly adjusted. However, wind conditions, barometric pressure changes, and geological features can affect tide times, causing inaccuracies.