Just thought i'd do another post. My Futuristic Timer Prop from the 90's Crystal Maze Set is still working, after 30 years. I just wanted to give it a new test, as I hadn't turned it on in more than a year. My heart skips a beat when I plug it in, I am always scared it won't start anymore. The circuitry inside is very fragile, given it's age. Absolutely incredible - that is four decades now, that have passed since the Original Series began and since this used to adorn the Original set at North Weald. It's still working. I acquired this piece about two years ago. The heart beat of the Original Crystal Maze is still alive, I am pleased to report. It's a testament to the Prop Makers. The other stuff is safe and sound too in storage.
You'd think this'd be on a PCB all its' own, but then again I wouldn't think it'd be all that easy for them to produce their own.
ReplyDeleteStill, what a lucky piece of ephemera to have! Keep that thing safe as houses.
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DeleteThanks I have the Medieval Egg timer too from the 90s set. I was gifted it by one of the producers when I met them in London two years ago.
DeleteOh, lovely of them to do that!
DeleteReally would love to see this in action but I can’t access the attached video :(
ReplyDeleteIll have a word, see if he'll do/upload something new
DeleteAmazing thank you so much. Could you ask if he would do a full tutorial on the clock like what the buttons do and how to set different times etc :)
DeleteHi Ben.
DeleteNeil here. The timer is currently in storage at the moment so I won't be able to do this video for you. But you can set the start time underneath it with some push buttons in increments of 1 min and 30 seconds.
The two front buttons are reset and start/stop. The microchip and back are both dated 1992.
Many Thanks for your reply :)
DeleteOk no worries. I’d guess black button is reset and red is start and stop? Do you think you’ll be able upload a new video of the timer at some point in the future? (No pun intended lol)
Ah ok that’s interesting I guess you can set it from anytime from 30 seconds to 9 mins 30 seconds with the 3 7seg displays? Also on the show back in the 90s the timer used to make a noise each time it counted down I guess you can turn this off and on too?
Hi Ben, the embedded video has been reenabled so you can see it working
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