Setting Up
Easiest Quick Setup
Just put the Sunalemma down on a table that is reasonably level, with the shadow falling
on the correct side (season), gently place the gnomon into the locating holes, then turn
the dial until the correct time shows. The time will be relatively accurate through the day
but the date may be slightly out depending on how out of level the dial is.
This is the easiest way for quickly showing off your sundial.
Best Temporary Setup
Choose a nice spot on a flat top (table) in the sun. Roll up 3 pieces of Prestick into balls
and place them on the underside of the dial plate near the edge, spaced evenly around
the perimeter. Put the sundial down onto the table making sure the shadow will fall on the
correct side (season), gently place the gnomon into the locating holes, then turn the dial
until the correct time shows. Put the bullseye level in the middle of the dial and press down
on the dial until it is level and the correct time still shows. The time and date will be
accurate through the day and should not need adjusting for a thousand years !
More Permanent Setup
Choose a well-situated place in the sun and have base a little bigger than the dial
accurately levelled. Place the sundial on the base plate and turn until the correct time
shows on the correct side (season). This is best done when the time is between 11 am and
2 pm (between 12 am and 1 pm is better) and the month between April and August (the
months of May and July are better). Make sure the gnomon is properly located in the
baseplate. See that the sundial is accurately level and shows the correct time through the
day. Make any corrections.
When you are satisfied the sundial is accurately in place, mark through the four holes
(one central hole for Medium Sunalemma) in
the plate to be able to fix suitable anchors/screws in the baseplate. When finished, screw
the sundial into place and make any adjustments.
The sundial will not need adjusting for a thousand years, excepting on the Solstices when
the sundial will need turning 180 degrees for the next seasons.
You can have a Solstice ceremony and invite your Druid friends !
Further Information
ACCURACY
You can normally read the time to within a minute or two and the date within a few days. With
fine tuning and making slight adjustments to the gnomon, this can be improved. This is best
done when the time is between 11 am and 2 pm (between 12 am and 1 pm is better) and the
month between April and August (the months of May and July are better).
CARE
The sundial and gnomon are made from Acrylic (Perspex), which although being tough and
durable, can be scratched and may chip if dropped. Take care when handling the sundial and
gnomon, particularly the pointed top of the gnomon, which is critical for casting the shadow.
CLEANING
To clean acrylic, use a solution of mild dish soap and warm water with a soft, lint-free microfiber
cloth. Gently wipe the surface, then rinse thoroughly with clean water and blot dry with a
separate soft cloth or chamois. Never use harsh chemical cleaners like ammonia, acetone, or
window cleaner, as these can damage and cause haziness or cracks on the acrylic surface.
NOTES
- The Sunalemma is made for a particular town and will not be correct elsewhere.
- The Sunalemma is solar powered and does not need batteries, charging or winding up.
- The Sunalemma is not suitable for indoors, cars, boats or aeroplanes.
-
If it should happen that the sun stops shining (cloud, night-time, apocalypse), it will still recall the correct time when the sun shines again.
