> Would someone give me hints as to how to figure out what the
> problem is why it is using so much power?

Congratulations on Step 1 - get it going

Now Step 2 - make it pretty. This is where you optimise components

As you've found out, LEDs and batteries aren't the best of mates. I
blame Hollywood. If there weren't so many bombs with timers and
big fat red displays for lead actors to spot and audiences to fret
over........

Ditto for other's comments about battery life and LCDs. You might
want to look at adding an LDR for automatic dimming, LDO regulator,
higher efficiency LEDs etc

If you switch to a mains supply, maybe try some parts of this circuit

http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/joecolquitt/solenoid-clock.html

50Hz goes to INT0 for accurate timing and the output of the transformer
is monitored for mains presence/absence. An internal timer count is
reset on external interrupt. Vsense, TMR0 and INT0 are used to detect
missing mains cycles (ie mains off/power cut or glitch) and either insert
one tick or switch over to full battery mode without missing a beat. The
quite long tick period gives s/w plenty of time for decisions

Bear in mind when testing that mains frequency is not the same at
all times of the day. It will slow down around peak periods and be a
little faster overnight, but the number of cycles/day is constant.

Comparing a mains clock to the hourly radio pips (a rough guide for
example) will show some slight difference through the day, but noon-
to-noon will be accurate (on average)

Mains also pulls in a small relay. Note that the normally-open contacts
are used for mains so that the battery can connect through the normally-
closed contacts

The LM317 is used here as a current limiter. The solenoids (~4 ohms)
take a lump of current from the 470uF reservoir cap, the recharging of
which would collapse the 12V. Controlling the charge rate means a
smaller transformer can be used. It does put a limit on the Fast Forward
or Step rate, but being a ratchet and pawl mechanism the clocks can't
go too fast anyway

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