Eureka Eureka Clock Governor circuit

[James McDermaid]

I acquired a Eureka clock which I plan to service as soon as the new wears off. It is a "four glass" model.

It is running fast and on 3 volts. I haven't tried it on a lower voltage but will soon. I'm aware they were made to run on 1.5 volts from an old #6 dry cell (no longer made).

Does any of the group happen to have a simple circuit for a governor or an efficient voltage regulator?

I believe at one time someone made a device which pulsed the supply voltage at either 1.3333 or 2.6666 seconds which would tend to synchronize the clock.

It may be that a good cleaning of the balance bearings and the clock would run on 1.5 volts and keep some kind of decent time.

I hear mixed reports on how well these clocke actually kept time but now I want to find out for my self.

The contact flag and pin look to be perfect.

Jim

 

[Tinker Dwight]

I'm not sure the voltage has that much effect on the
speed unless it is grabbing two teeth on some of the
swings or something is limiting the swing.
Tinker Dwight

 

[James McDermaid]

I haven't seen it grab two teeth. It is supposed to run on 1.5 volts and I have 3 volts now. It was running on 3 when I got it recently and I haven't played with it yet.

I'm led to believe that if it keeps time on 1.5 it will run fast on 2.5.

I don't know how accurate Eureka clock actually are, some say not and some say as good as an american pendulum.

First Eureka I have ever seen so I'm learning.

Jim

Jim

 

[praezis]

Mr. Mumford offered a voltage regulator for Eureka and has more info on his website.

You can also make one DIY eg. with LP2951 or discrete with a few transistors.

Frank

 

[James McDermaid]

Mr Mumford no longer sells his synchronizer.

The Eureka has an odd beat and Mumford used a microprocessor to compute the interval.

I bought a regulated battery from Carlton Clocks in the UK. It is a replica of a No 6 dry cell that was made by Pete Smith (Horligix). Sorry if I misspelled. It is adjustable from low to about 3 volts and uses 4 "C" cells. I'm going for the original 1.5 volt operation.

I added an old Eveready label so the battery which looks more original.

The Eureka has been running quite consistent since I adjusted the Balance Spring length.

It has a pair of double "AA"'s that are down to about 2 volts. Been running it for the past three months.

It gets a rebuild soon as it needs cleaning and one glass bearing cap replaced.

Carlton Clocks in the UK has the bearing glass parts.

Jim