DS3231 runs too fast

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1

Hi everybody,

I need help again from you guys and I'm sorry to open again a topic regarding the DS3231 but my research in existing topics didn't help me so far. I built a time time switch with a D1 Mini and the DS3231SN RTC. Everything works fine except the fact that RTC seems to run too fast. The time difference is increasing every day by 1 Minute approx.

What is it about the capacitor I often read in other articles? Why this is sometimes needed and why others do not have problems with their RTC at all without a capacitor? Where should this capacitor be installed?

The RTC is connected to 5V and battery is also in place. There is no resistor soldered on the RTC which would be required if using rechargeable battery (I don't use).

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

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3

Hi Peter

Good thank you. Hope you too!?

When I just start to google about aging behaviour I remembered that once I read the temperature of the RTC it showed over 100C and it should show just room temperature meaning 22C or so. This has probably something to do with the misfunction.

Would this also have something to do with the aging behaviour?

Thanks
Romano

4

The time difference increasing every day by 1 minute is pretty much. I am using DS3231 for years and I had the worst result about 2 seconds in 3-4 months. I my case it was able to compensate it by internal capacitor settings but I afraid it is impossible to use it in your case.
I think, there are two scenarios possible:

  1. Wrong chip, maybe it worth to try another one.
  2. Some mistake in your setup. You should post the schematics and code.
5

Hi Budvar

I will order a new one if there is no other way to find out what the problem is :slight_smile:

The code is attached.

Thanks for any help!

COMBINED_PROTOTYP2_WPS_V4.ino (19.6 KB)

6

The rule ONE in debugging: If something does not working as it is supposed to be, make the program as simple as it is possible and check the functionality. So, what's about to try just simple sketch with print actual RTC time functionality. This can definitely exclude bad RTC chip.

Keep your code neat and "combed" to be perfectly readable and understandable at first sight.

7

Is it a DS3231 bought cheap from the far East ?

Or a DS3231 bought from a reputable local supplier you trust ?

8

A local store in Germany, I think i can trust them. But I am not an expert to be honest.

9

I did a simple sketch, everything is working fine except the wrong temperature. I didn‘t test the simple sketch for long time. This would be something I could do once I have another RTC because the current one is used for the time switch program and I am not able to remove it at the moment for a longer period.