ATO Elgin Electronic ATO (Kieninger & Obergfell)

[Dave T]

Still dealing with the last ATO that's still running fast no matter what. So, I went back to get this one for parts, and hoping it might run. It does. But the case is badly tarnished. I'm not sure there is any saving this one, but I'd like some tips on how to clean it up and save as much of the brass finish as possible.
It has the electricals under the bottom by the battery. And no jewels.
Here she is for five bucks!

 

[Dave T]

Learned something new today. You can't stack your clocks. This clock on top stopped and the pendulum was gently undulating from the magnetic force. I reckon? This video is when it was still running.
It ran that way for about 5 days or so, and then I noticed it had stopped.

VID Stacked Kundos

www.youtube.com

 

[Dave T]

Trying to restore the badly tarnished brass on this clock. I've got it to this point so far, but it still has a copper sheen coming through. As purchased.

What I have so far.

 

[Dave T]

Well, it turned out to be one of those days. Broke my first pivot.! Anybody got one of these in their parts bin?

 

[Dave T]

Anyway, got it cleaned up. Now all I need is a new escape wheel! Anybody?

 

[Dave T]

Got the new escape wheel installed, and now the clock is losing about 20 minutes a day, more or less.
Too much to correct with pendulum adjustment!
I've read a lot of threads concerning these clocks running too fast, but not too slow.
I know the pendulum swing is good, compared to others I have. (With a gentle push it starts easily building momentum until the contact arm begins to engage.)
So trying to figure out where to start on this one. I'm wondering if I have the nut on the minute hand too tight.
Not an easy movement to get to. I have to dismantle the glass enclosure to access it.

 

[Dave T]

Think I got it! In case anyone might be having the same issue, I found the hand nut too tight. Backed it off until it was just snug enough, and it's keeping pretty good time now.

 

[whatgoesaround]

I have a similar Kundo model that I had to do the same thing to. It is likely to self-tighten as it runs, but you know the fix.

 

[Schatznut]

Nice looking clock - glad you got it cleaned up and running again!

 

[Dave T]

I have a similar Kundo model that I had to do the same thing to. It is likely to self-tighten as it runs, but you know the fix.

Yep, you're right! So.... I've adjusted the hand nut several times now, and have not yet found the right tension on the hand nut, or whatever it takes to keep this clock properly timed. I have two others that I've managed to get adjusted and maintain correct time. But this one has me baffled.

One thing I wondered about is the proper order of assembling the hands. There are two nuts that hold the hands. The first one is a smaller diameter hex nut, and then a knurled nut on top of that.
And the hex provides no tension on the hands until the knurled nut is put on top of it.??

You might be able to see it here in this picture.

 

[Dave T]

I think I just answered my own question. The hex nut simply holds the position/relation of the minute hand to the hour hand. And the knurled nut locks the hex nut in place!
I backed the hex nut off a bit, we'll see what happens now.

 

[whatgoesaround]

Hello Dave,

Yep, I have the hex nut, too. I have a few Kundos that run without problems and I have the exact model you have and it runs fine. The other is very similar and this is the one on which I have the problems you describe. I have to back the hand nut off to the point that there is too much slop in the minute hand; it is loose about the distance that marks 3-4 minutes. If it is tighter, the running of the clock will slowly tighten the nut to the point the clock slows and stops. When I first got it someone had tried "fixing" it with washers in more than one place they should not be. That took awhile to figure out. But it runs and keeps time within that range; I have other clocks that tell me a little more accurate time, so it is just something I am content to live with.

 

[Dave T]

I have two others that don't have the hex nut, and they are okay. One has a knurled nut and the other has a pin, (for the hands).
I'm fairly confident I can get the right tension on it, but time will tell.

 

[Dave T]

This clock has stopped. Battery good, just tore it down and cleaned it, still won't run.
I've studied the threads on tracing the current, but still unsure how to do that.
It has the circuit beside the battery underneath the base.
I'd like to check that circuit but don't know where to start.

 

[Dave T]

This clock has stopped. Battery good, just tore it down and cleaned it, still won't run.
I've studied the threads on tracing the current, but still unsure how to do that.
It has the circuit beside the battery underneath the base.
I'd like to check that circuit but don't know where to start.

I put the pendulum in motion and checked for continuity on the coil, and it's got good movement.
I also have the circuit board off, but not sure how to test it.