Clock Misses Hour or Half Hour Strike

[derwiener]

I am working on an Ansonia clock which periodically - once every 11 or 12 hours or so - does not strike. [The time train works perfectly.] There is no pattern to this, either if the hour or half hour is missed. The clock sets up fine, goes into warning, but when the tail of the unlocking arm falls off the pin on the center arbor, the clock mechanism apparently is not released to strike. Although it is hard to see into the middle of the clock, it does not appear that the tail of the unlocking arm gets hung up on the pin. I noticed that the pivot hole for the center arbor with the pins has "wiggle room" (slop?) that I estimate to be roughly 20 degrees or so. Could this possibly be the problem, and the hole needs to be bushed, or should I look at the strike train wheels etc. for the cuplrit?
Thank you!
Paul

 

[R. Croswell]

I am working on an Ansonia clock which periodically - once every 11 or 12 hours or so - does not strike. [The time train works perfectly.] There is no pattern to this, either if the hour or half hour is missed. The clock sets up fine, goes into warning, but when the tail of the unlocking arm falls off the pin on the center arbor, the clock mechanism apparently is not released to strike. Although it is hard to see into the middle of the clock, it does not appear that the tail of the unlocking arm gets hung up on the pin. I noticed that the pivot hole for the center arbor with the pins has "wiggle room" (slop?) that I estimate to be roughly 20 degrees or so. Could this possibly be the problem, and the hole needs to be bushed, or should I look at the strike train wheels etc. for the cuplrit?
Thank you!
Paul

It would help to see pictures of this movement out of the clock. The first thing I look for if a strike train goes into warning ok but fails to run when released from warning is whether the strike hammer begins to raise during the warning run. If so, the strike train will be trying to start under load and may not start. That would indicate that the last person to service it didn't get things setup correctly. However, this is probably more a symptom than the real problem. Most American clocks are enough overpowered to start even under partial loading. The center arbor and hour pipe on the front of the movement being a little shaky is nothing to worry about. If its the pivot on the rear plate, that is a problem. If you are aware of one worn pivot hole, you can be sure there are others. Every worn pivot hole robs power so at some point there is not enough power left to run the clock. I'm betting that even though the time train is running, it is probably not a strong runner anymore. I would carefully inspect all the parts for wear, and I expect it could use a good cleaning, which can only be done if the movement is disassembled.

RC

 

[derwiener]

It would help to see pictures of this movement out of the clock. The first thing I look for if a strike train goes into warning ok but fails to run when released from warning is whether the strike hammer begins to raise during the warning run. If so, the strike train will be trying to start under load and may not start. That would indicate that the last person to service it didn't get things setup correctly. However, this is probably more a symptom than the real problem. Most American clocks are enough overpowered to start even under partial loading. The center arbor and hour pipe on the front of the movement being a little shaky is nothing to worry about. If its the pivot on the rear plate, that is a problem. If you are aware of one worn pivot hole, you can be sure there are others. Every worn pivot hole robs power so at some point there is not enough power left to run the clock. I'm betting that even though the time train is running, it is probably not a strong runner anymore. I would carefully inspect all the parts for wear, and I expect it could use a good cleaning, which can only be done if the movement is disassembled.

RC

Thank you for your comments. Unfortunately the clock is completely disassembled now and has been cleaned, so I can't provide pictures. The center arbor pivot hole that I was concerned about was the one in the rear plate, and you have confirmed my suspicion, so that one needs a bushing. From prior observations, the strike hammers are completely at rest during warning. Based on what you recommend, I'll inspect for more needed bushings. I've already found that the pin wheel has so much "slop" that the pin actually touches the plate when I move it in the pivot hole to determine how much movement there is.
Thanks again,
Paul

 

[lwalper]

Yep, there's probably enough "slop" that the wheels and pinions get in a jam. Sound's like bushing time.

 

[POWERSTROKE]

Clean and oil works when you have no wear. You'll be wasting your time by doing anything of this sort. This needs to go to a qualified professional. I suggest going to a local nawcc chapter and finding a mentor and or going to your library and borrowing some books. Good luck

 

[tracerjack]

Clean and oil works when you have no wear. You'll be wasting your time by doing anything of this sort. This needs to go to a qualified professional. I suggest going to a local nawcc chapter and finding a mentor and or going to your library and borrowing some books. Good luck

I don’t think a simple clean and oil was mentioned. The OP states that it is presently completely disassembled, and they are aware certain pivot holes need to be bushed. Sounds experienced enough to me, even if it is a first attempt at bushing.

 

[Willie X]

That little lever that's located on a post to the back plate can cause problems. Later models have a little helper spring on this lever to make it more dependable. You may want to double check that while you have it apart. Willie X

 

[wow]

Paul, since you have it disassembled, it is almost impossible to figure out what is happening. Try assembling it without the mainsprings and rock the wheels back and forth watching each pivot as you rock them. Doing that will show you all of the pivots that need bushing. You will probably need several bushings.

 

[POWERSTROKE]

Some times the levers don't drop after warning. The pin for the warning wheel may be getting stuck on the tab and not releasing.

 

[R. Croswell]

This is the little lever that Willie referred to in post #7. (stock photo, not the OP's movement) It is often neglected during a cleaning. Not convenient to remove but the post must be clean (no oil) and the lever must drop freely just by gravity, unless you have one of the later models with a helper spring as mentioned. This is an Ansonia thing not found on similar movements by most other makers.

RC