Away back in September, six months ago, I reported on an unusual clock that uses just water and salt to run on. I thought it was a unique product that would be fun to tell you all about, but figured that the Bedol water clock would probably be in need of constant fussing – I was very wrong!

Until this week, the clock lost no time what-so-ever, and because it is a sealed system, it also didn’t lose water due to evaporation. I added a teaspoon of salt on Wednesday and the clock is right back on track. Just one teaspoon of salt for six months of reliable operation.

It doesn’t get much more energy efficient than that!!

We received a most unusual product in the office last week – a clock that runs on water. No batteries, cords, solar panels ….. just salt water!! How you might ask does this work? Chemistry!

The innards are made of two opposing metals and the ions in the salt water create a charge that produces the “electricity” to power the Bedol water clock. Now don’t get too excited and think that this is the cure for our energy woes. The amount of electricity produced by this chemical reaction is very small. But still, no batteries are required – so all of those disposable batteries that required manufacturing, shipping, selling and disposing of will never be needed to operate this clock.

The clock I received last week hasn’t lost any seconds since I added the salt water and set it. It will be fun to see how long it goes before I need to add more salt. In the meantime, I’m really enjoying this attractive, very low-tech addition to my desk top.