Electric Clocks

[Terry Luxford]

I have been repairing clocks for about 10 years, but have turned down electic clocks. How do I get started? Is there any good books or sources on electric clock repair? Topics like replacing motors or rewinding them. Thank you in advance.

 

[Terry Luxford]

I have been repairing clocks for about 10 years, but have turned down electic clocks. How do I get started? Is there any good books or sources on electric clock repair? Topics like replacing motors or rewinding them. Thank you in advance.

 

[Scottie-TX]

Not sure why no one's responded but here's my take: I guess you mean clocks that are plugged into the wall? I think most people throw away quartz movements and replace them. AND I'm far from an expert on this subject. If I wanted to learn electric clocks I'd just start buying them cheap and repairing them or inviting the business and learn. All here would be of help. Basically, many electric clocks are simply a common clock movement with an electric motor instead of a weight or spring. Typically, the motors are synchronous type. That is they run because of the 60 cycle alternations of electric current in our home. Simply, there is a field winding and a rotor and no physical contact between them ( hopefully ) If the field has continuity, that is it's not "OPEN" somewhere - it emits sixty pulses per second to the rotor and the rotor turns. Typical problems here are several; 1. The field is open. No current flows. 2. clearance is lost between rotor and field and rotor rubs field. and 3. It is very common for the drive gear on the motor to fail and lose it's teeth, then unable to power the clock. In most cases you'll need only a minimal amount of electrical knowledge and perhaps a voltohmmeter and soldering iron ! I wish you well my friend and ask more questions if you have any.

 

[Terry Luxford]

I am not sure why others have not replyed to my message. But thank you very much for the information. I am going to take you advice and try a few. If I have questions I will get back to you. There are a lot of old electric clocks out there that need work and some of them are very nice I hate to see them go to waste. Thanks again..Terry

 

[David B Pendley]

Hi Terry one thing I see in electrics are that the prices of motors and/or rotors have escalated to point most customers don't want to put that much into an electric clock. Check out Mike Murray's web site on electric rotors.

 

[Terry Luxford]

David, where do I find Murray's web sight? Thanks

 

[Scottie-TX]

O.K. I confess. I'm guilty. I do quite the opposite of many. I don't install quartz movements to mechanical or electric clocks. I have fitted to many quartz and electric clocks, mechanical movements - especially tambour style mantle clocks. That little 341-020 just plugs right into most of 'em. But many a customer would not want that: They'd hafta wind 'em.

 

[Denis O Jahn]

Terry:Mike Murrys site is www.home.earthlink.net/~atmosman/earthftp.html or at least that will get you in the general vicinity. He is not the only supplier of rebuilt motors/rotors. See your Mart for other sources.
You assume a certain libility when you repair an electric clock. (fire, electrocution) Parts are often difficult to non existent to locate. (As aluded to in an earlier post). And, if that dosen't dissuade you, most customers don't desire to spend the $'s.
That said, start on some small jobs and ask lots of questions. Good luck.
You might borrow ELECTRIFYING TIME By Jim Linz from the NAWCC library and read appendix 1, Tips for repairing and restoring Telechron and General Electric clocks, its a start.

 

[Scottie-TX]

I commiserate with Denis and share his frustrations, Terry. I just wanted you to know it's something you can do if you want but it can be VERY frustrating - and time consuming while often unproductive when you reach that dead end. Often I've repaired them only to have them fail again after a few hours, weeks or mos. Especially those little "CAN" motors.

 

[Terry Luxford]

Up until about 3 years ago there was a company in Chicago, Ill who use to make electric replacement clock movements. The name of the company was Lanshire. I think they are still in business but do not make electic movements anymore. The movements were sealed with face glass, hands and motor. I guess business was not good enough!

 

[Terry Luxford]

Come to think of it, I have two books on electic clocks. But I don't have enough back ground on electricity to understand much. Book one is "How to Make an Electric Clock", by R. Barnard Way and book two is "Electric Clocks and How to Make Them" by F. Hope~Jones. Thank you again..

 

[skruft]

I aqree with the other responses. The only electric motors and movements that I know are still being manufactured new in large numbers are the Synchron (Hansen)and other motors that are used in old master and slave clocks, as many of those clocks are still being used commercially. Sometimes the same motors or Synchron movements were used in regular clocks. They have not changed for many years and come in probably a hundred models. Even those are fairly expensive ($25-40). You can always find other parts for electrics somehow but it's probably worthwhile only if you collect them, as few people would want to pay for all the trouble when the clock is not valuable. (Issues like broken crystals in shapes that were made only for one clock are very challenging when the clock is worth $100.)