I was looking for a cheap alarm clock. Real cheap. I found the Sony FM / AM Clock Radio Dream Machine on Amazon for $11.00. Yes, that cheap. Who needs a stereo alarm clock that plays CDs? Anyways, their marketers are good. On Amazon, the product is called an Automatic Time Set Clock Radio. That’s just what I need, not that I don’t know how to set the time to a clock radio. But, it’s really a drag to reset the time whenever a power outage occurs. Sometimes, it’s really simpler to wait until 12 midnight, pull the plug, and re-insert with the time magically set correctly. Voila! Of course, it didn’t make sense to me that a clock that featured “automatic time set” would also include “battery backup ensures correct time.” If the clock automatically set the time, why would I need a battery backup?
Here’s why. On the box, “Automatic Time Set” has a footnote. Uh, that wasn’t on the Amazon web site. It says, “The current EST/EDT (Eastern Standard/Daylight Saving Time) has initially been preset at the factory.” So, the Sony Dream Machine is not one of those high tech clocks that are synchronized to the NIST Radio Station WWVB. And, if the power goes out, the clock radio needs the battery backup to kick in because that automatic time set is a one-time only deal.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
The battery Back up is not because the auto-time set doesn’t work as explained, it is incase the power goes out, the clock still works, and alarms will still go off.
I have this same Dream Machine but have lost my manual and don’t know how to re-set the time. Can you help at all?
I have this same ICF-C218 Dream Machine but have lost my manual and don’t know how to re-set the time and put the alarm. Can you help at all?
The Sony ICF-C218 manual can be downloaded from:
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/rad-clock-radio/icf-c218/tab/manual
thanks ken. this helped alot
I just bought the same clock in Mexico. I am absolutely astounded at how complicated the clock is to set. Does an alarm clock really need to have the last two digits of the year programed before the time can be programed, within 65 seconds, after the third beep? Tonight is the third night that I am reprogramming the alarm clock. And, I am finding it to be every bit as difficult as the first night. Actually, after the fifth attempt, I realized that by not following the forty two instructions to a tee, the whole falls into the realm of impossibility. Do yourself a favor and keep the manual placed directly under the clock, if you should by it. Otherwise, if you should ever have to reprogram the clock, and do not have internet access, you will most likely be out of luck. Maybe this is a way to make sure that Sony sells one clock per person.
Amen Ben. Keep a copy of the instructions folks!
I bought the clock because I thought it was an Atomic Clock set thru NIST radio. How can they dare say Auto Time set? Shame on you SONY, you SUCK. That was deceptive, what a scam.
Ken Chan,
YOU ROCK! Thank you so much for that link to download the manual. My clock had the wrong date set, so it did not automatically change the time when day light savings time occurred. I was going nuts trying to figure it out and I couldn’t find my manual. I googled several things trying to find help and was getting frustrated. Until I read your posting! Thanks so much. Now the date and the time are correct!!!!
Well, daylight savings time has arrived. This morning, I woke up and discovered that the Sony Dream Machine adjusted itself last night and was displaying the correct time. The atomic clock, on the other hand, is still an hour off. I’m waiting to see if it will self-adjust tonight.
the cd player on my sony dream machine isn’t working, any suggestions?
I’m having the worst time trying to load these instructions for my icf218 dream machine. Can somebody please, please just tell what how to set these simple little buttons? I always keep all my manuals for everything but I’ve seem to misplace this particular one.
It took a few extra days, but the atomic clock finally self-adjusted to the correct time. So, both clocks were able to adjust for Daylight Savings Time. The Sony clock adjusted the time on the correct day, and the atomic clock finally synchronized about three days after.
i am having a problem with the link to the manual. when i click on it the site tells me they dont have a manual. can anyone help as i cant re set the stupid bloody clock!
From a different Sony site:
http://www.sony.com.ph/support/product/icf-c218
I bought several of the Sony ICF-C218 from Fry’s online to have as background music in homes I am selling. The radio keeps turning itself off. Stays on about an hour. I have the manual and it says that you push the off button to turn it off. Anyone know how I can keep them on 24/7? Thanks
Can anyone please just explain to me how to set this damn thing? The manual is even more confusing than just trying to figure it out through trial and error, I have had this alarm clock for over a month and really am about to just throw it out and get another brand. Finally, I decided to go online and see if there was anyone who did manage to figure it out. 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 lol HHHHELP ME
My clock reset itself somehow last night. When my alarm went off this morning the clocks in the rest of the house read 6am, however the sony clock read 5am. Does anyone know what caused the clock to change by itself?
Found this site Googling how to set the clock. Ben you are right on – I am generally tech-savvy and I could NOT NOT NOT figure out how to set the ^&*! clock! Auto time set? I thought it would grab the time from the airwaves and thus the “easiest” time set ever. Instead it is the hardest!
What a scam by Sony, this is a real stinker.
The transformer of my ICF-C218 was burnt due to power surge. I tried to repair but couldn’t find out what is the capacity of the transformer that i need to replace the old burnt one with… Can any body please help?
To reset the time:
Unplug the clock and replug. Hold down the clock button on top until it beeps. Push clock button once, it should show the month, push again it will show the date, push a third time and it will show the time. Use the plus or minus buttons to adjust the time.
My clock was 6 minutes fast all the time, even after a power outage. Now it’s correct.
Lyn, thank you so much. It is so simple once you have the instructions. I followed your instructions and had the clock set in just about a minute. Thank you, thank you!
Does any one know how to change the clock mode ? By default I have 24hr clock mode. But I need 12- hr clock mode
@Rps. My understanding, based on reading a few manuals, is that the clock does not have a 12/24-hour switch. Instead, the default (and only setting) depends on the country in which you purchased the Sony alarm clock. Check with your local Sony website for the manual appropriate for your version of the alarm clock.
If you guys are having difficulty how to set up the clock, I have figured it out. I was having the same problem as you are having now, however by clicking all the buttons I have found it how to do it. Here is how you do it: if you want to set the clock use the TIME ZONE button, and press it as you press the button it will show numbers like 1 then when press it again it will show 2. So the more you press the button the number goes up until 7, and 7 is the maximum number. So by pressing the buttons is when you will find out the right time that you set up the first time you bought the alarm clock. so press it and then wait for seconds and check the time if it is not the right time then keep pressing until you find the right time. This is how you set up the Sonny Dream Machine it’s easy. Good luck!!!
I have it its really complicated to set :/