{"title":"Adafruit PiRTC - PCF8523 Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi","handle":"adafruit-pirtc-pcf8523-real-time-clock-for-raspberry-pi","url":"/products/adafruit-pirtc-pcf8523-real-time-clock-for-raspberry-pi","description":"The Adafruit PiRTC is a battery-backed real-time clock that plugs directly onto your Raspberry Pi's GPIO header, letting your Pi keep accurate time even when powered off. Built around the PCF8523 RTC with native Linux kernel support, it's ideal for data logging, time-stamping, alarms, and any project that needs reliable timekeeping.\n\nThe board comes fully assembled and tested — no soldering required. Just plug it in, pop in a CR1220 coin cell, and configure the RTC using the included tutorial. With a coin cell installed, it will keep time for 5 years or more.\n\nKey Features\n\n\nPCF8523 Real-Time Clock – I2C interface with native Raspberry Pi kernel driver support\n\nPlug-and-Play – Fully assembled; plugs directly onto the Pi GPIO header with no soldering\n\nBattery Backup – CR1220 coin cell slot keeps time through power loss for 5+ years\n\nBroad Compatibility – Works with any Raspberry Pi with a GPIO header (Pi 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Zero, A+, B+)\n\n\n\nNote: The PCF8523 is an affordable RTC but not high-precision — it may drift by a second or two per day. For applications requiring tighter accuracy, consider a temperature-compensated DS3231-based RTC.\n\n\nIdeal For\n\nData logging with accurate timestamps\nClock and alarm projects\nOffline Raspberry Pi setups without network time (NTP)\nScheduled tasks and timed automation\n\n\nPackage Contents\n\n1× Adafruit PiRTC PCF8523 (fully assembled)\n\n\n\nImportant: CR1220 coin cell battery is not included and must be purchased separately.\n\n\nResources\n\nAdding a Real Time Clock to Raspberry Pi – Setup Tutorial\n","vendor":"Adafruit","product_type":"physical","in_stock":true,"options":[],"variants":[{"id":14446,"title":"Default Title","sku":"AF-3386","price":14.63,"on_sale":false,"in_stock":true,"available_quantity":105,"option1":"Default Title"}]}