Clock stopping at the warning

[Watchie Logan]

I have a Seth Thomas tambour mantle clock that runs fairly well, but stops occasionally at the warning. Where should I be looking for a remedy other than the strike side mechanism.

 

[NEW65]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean but sounds like the lift lever is running into the strike warning pin and stopping the clock.
If that is the cause you'll have to alter the position of the warning wheel.

 

[JeffG]

I would suggest that the movement is in need of attention and that the time train is only making enough power to spin the hands, but not enough to lift the lift lever.
-Jeff

 

[lpbp]

Make sure that the hammer is not being lifted on the warning.

 

[JeffG]

I have a Seth Thomas tambour mantle clock that runs fairly well,...

An important factor in troubleshooting your clock is whether it has been running for a long time and has developed this problem recently, or if you have recently worked on the clock and are having trouble getting it sorted out.
-Jeff

 

[R. Croswell]

It would help to know just what Seth Thomas movement you are working on. Seth Thomas mantel clocks used several quite different movements. Pictures may help. What work has been done previously and when? How long since the movement has been disassembled and cleaned and oiled?

RC

 

[Watchie Logan]

Thanks for all the tips.

 

[R. Croswell]

A bit more power is required to unlock the strike train and initiate the warning run than is required to just run the time side. This power is taken from the going (time) train. When the clock stops (stops ticking) going into warning run, more often than not the clock is already running poorly, has a weak pendulum swing, and near zero overswing. More often than not this is due to a combination of worn pivot holes, accumulated dirt, dried up oil, and lack of lubrication. There are a few other possibilities, but these are not related to the striking train itself.

Without knowing what king of movement this is, rack and snail or count wheel, and some more history about what has been done to the clock and when etc. it is difficult to be more specific.

RC

 

[Watchie Logan]

A bit more power is required to unlock the strike train and initiate the warning run than is required to just run the time side. This power is taken from the going (time) train. When the clock stops (stops ticking) going into warning run, more often than not the clock is already running poorly, has a weak pendulum swing, and near zero overswing. More often than not this is due to a combination of worn pivot holes, accumulated dirt, dried up oil, and lack of lubrication. There are a few other possibilities, but these are not related to the striking train itself.

Without knowing what king of movement this is, rack and snail or count wheel, and some more history about what has been done to the clock and when etc. it is difficult to be more specific.

RC

Thanks for the advice. Being a novice in clock repair, I did notice that when I purchased the clock the pendulum it came with was very heavy. I have since changed it to a lighter one that came from a similar clock. I'm waiting to see if this makes a difference. If it doesn't I will remove the movement and give it a thorough cleaning and lubrication.

 

[R. Croswell]

Thanks for the advice. Being a novice in clock repair, I did notice that when I purchased the clock the pendulum it came with was very heavy. I have since changed it to a lighter one that came from a similar clock. I'm waiting to see if this makes a difference. If it doesn't I will remove the movement and give it a thorough cleaning and lubrication.

After a pendulum swap, or after setting up a clock after relocating, the first thing to do is make sure the clock is wound (amazing how many neglect to do this). The next thing you need to do is make sure the clock is "in beat". You check this by raising one side of the clock or the other just a bit until it ticks the most evenly. Place business cards or playing cards or similar as needed under one side or the other so your clock is running in beat.

Again, if you expect to get much help here that's specific to your clock we need to know what model movement you have. Seth Thomas movements are usually marked. It could be a # 89x (the x being one of several different numbers) a # 120x, and if it is newer it may have a German made movement with the Seth Thomas name and a number such as 402-005. These are all quite different.

If your running clock has a total pendulum swing less than one inch it probably is lacking power due to wear and accumulated dirt and old dried oil.
How much total pendulum swing do you have?

RC