English Chess Forum

I'm a treasurer this season for the first time in ages. I've been thinking about depreciation of equipment.

What is peoples experience with the repair/ lifespan of DGT clocks?

Richmond Juniors has invested over a period of ten years in a mix of more than 170 digital clocks, a mix consisting of DGT EasyPlus, 2010s and 3000s. A few go dud fairly quickly, but those that don't generally last quite well. A budget for 10% replacement per annum might be prudent, but I would not generally expect to spend most of that budget. Usually it is the EasyPlus clocks which fail, those we have had the longest, and we are generally replacing them with 2010s and, in the future probably 2500s. I would say that the 2010s and 3000s are very reliable in our experience.

Of course, it would be nice if DGT published circuit diagrams and engineering support documentation for when they do fail, but there isn't anything worthwhile on most models. I find that it is generally possible to repair issues with the lever mechanism and battery contact issues, but anything else is beyond me. I understand John Upham is happy to tinker for a small fee, and that he has had reasonable success in rescuing dead or misfunctioning clocks.

We have also introduced Leap clocks into some schools, as they are cheap. However, based on our (limited) experience, that cheapness is also reflected in a lower level of robustness.

I hope this is of some help.

Most modern electronics are built shoddily to break in order to get you buying new ones + also they tend to make casings difficult to penetrate so that people do damage when attempting to open the thing.
If I were to warrant a guess with the dgt model I would say it is the switches attached to the pressing lever which would be lower quality parts as they are going to take the most physical abuse and this would ensure the clock wears out faster.

Joey Stewart wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 6:52 pm

If I were to warrant a guess with the dgt model

What could also happen is that a new move rate is introduced which cannot be programmed into existing clocks. DGT2010s have setting 18 which would now be one of the most frequently used given that it's x minutes for the game with an increment of y. Both x and y are under user control. Suppose though deferred increments became popular and were only supported by newer clocks?

Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 5:26 pm

I'm a treasurer this season for the first time in ages. I've been thinking about depreciation of equipment.

What is peoples experience with the repair/ lifespan of DGT clocks?

If the balance sheet permits, what is wrong with the conservative line of writing them striaght down to zero?

I have experience of fixing DGT 2000s, 2010s, XLs and latterly 3000s

Not attempted any 2500 repairs as yet.

The bulk by a fair margin have been 2010s.

Most 2010 failures are microswitch failures leading to the need for PCB swap out and I was lucky to obtain a large number of spares from DGT themselves. Supply of these spares has dried up.

Fewer failures are down to reed switch failure which stops the paddle working. Spares are fairly easy to come by either new or by cannibalising from 2010s with failed PCBs.

Rough handling can lead to battery contact failure and the cannibal route will resurrect the failed ones.

I would warn anyone storing 2010s to keep them away from moisture and dampness. This will kill them stone dead.

Please make sure you store them with silica gel with the batteries removed as some battery holders have been ruined by leaking AA batteries.

I'm happy to take on more repairs on an amateur basis.

Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 5:26 pm

I'm a treasurer this season for the first time in ages. I've been thinking about depreciation of equipment.

What is peoples experience with the repair/ lifespan of DGT clocks?

The MCF clocks are more than 10 years old, we changed the accounting basis and have now depreciated them to zero

I would guess 10% p.a., but not on a depreciating balance basis, should be ok

Bit different with sets, boards and storage or boxes

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 7:06 pm

Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 5:26 pm

I'm a treasurer this season for the first time in ages. I've been thinking about depreciation of equipment.

What is peoples experience with the repair/ lifespan of DGT clocks?

If the balance sheet permits, what is wrong with the conservative line of writing them striaght down to zero?

Nothing wrong with that, but it doesn’t, of itself, create the funds for replacement. I am guessing that digital clocks cost more, over time, given their limited lifespan, compared with analogue clocks that lasted ‘for ever’. I agree with the suggestion to budget for a proportion to be replaced each year, and therefore that cost should be factored into club subs.

Thanks all. Mick's suggestion of 10% per year over 10 years seems simple and in line with Paul McKeown's experience.

I suppose there is significant variation based on how and how frequently they are used but better to have a sensible baseline than nothing.

I think I would want to depreciate to 0, on the assumption at some point there is likely to be mass failures. But I wouldn't want to do it unrealistically quickly and hold excessive cash reserves.