Gjermund Skailand wrote:
>
> > > Why would a plotter care about the date??
> >
> > Since I once opened an Epson Stylus, found a battery inside and a real
> > time clock, I think differently. Maybe it's unique to Epsons printing
> > technology and their sophisticated cleaning program for the heads, but
> > who knows? The big danger are embedded chips...
> >
> > Ulrich
> I once heard of a cargo pump (typically used on bord chemical carriers).
> Although neither the pump nor the control system has any use of a clock,
> one of the chips in the control system has a clock. Guess what happens in a
> couple of months...
>
> Gjermund Skailand
>

Just because there is a clock chip or circuit in there does not mean
there is anything to do with a date (of course there could be).
Measuring elapsed running time is a valid use of a timer circuit for
both heating reasons (do not want overheating) and head cleaning needs
(epson seems to do that).

LB