jeco tuning fork hums but is stopped

[jchang76]

Hello, anybody know if my jeco tuningfork clock will start if it hums? i have seen a forum where someone said a capacitor needs changing? is there any hope otherwise?

second clock, F Mauthe Germany? anyone know anything about these? Electric with motor and escapement?

any feedback much appreciated,
thanks
jchang

 

[Tinker Dwight]

Please make a separate post for each. The Jeco should be in the electric clocks forum.
The Mauthe should be in the clock repair unless it is a motor problem then electric clocks.
At the bottom of my post select the ! with the triangle and ask the moderator to
delete your first message.
This will help us help you.
Tinker Dwight

 

[Tinker Dwight]

Hi JChang
I didn't mean to scare you off.
Tinker Dwight

 

[Movementman]

The Jeco could need a new capacitor, and possibly need a cleaning. I bought an NOS Seth Thomas Acro Tyne wall clock (Jeco tuning fork movement) in June 2016. It ran but not reliably until I put some oil on the jewels for the escapement wheel and the next two gears. I then adjusted it and it is accurate to withing a couple seconds a month! Also, these movements are not self starting, the knob that is used to set the time needs to be pulled out and released, sometimes several times. Try and oil and clean the pivots first, then replace the capacitor if it still acts up. These movements are easy to repair, so it should be up and running with minimal effort.

 

[jchang76]

Thanks much, got both working. The reminded me,the 40 yr old youngster, that those old battery clocks often needed to be " started ". Obvious to anyone who had done it at least once in their life.
The mauthe had motor back popped off and contacts were needing adjustment. Now its working about a month at a time. I feel like the spring is a little weak from age and has trouble overcoming the release fir the motor to rewind.
Thanks, new to forum and unfamiliar w how to use.
We have several turret clocks here at my workplace.

 

[Prumio]

Hi Tinker and thanks for the advice above. I have a mantle clock (Seth Thomas) with a JECO tuning fork movement (takes a C battery). After inserting new battery & pulling out the tab, the movement starts humming and I can see gears moving. But within a minute, moving parts stop, although the unit continues to hum. I have taken it out from the clock body so that there is nothing impeding the shaft. Is this kind of movement repairable? I opened the plastic housing yet, but have looked at some diagrams and am not sure which part is the capacitor. I'm pretty ept in the fine motor department and think I could repair it if I were sure of the part. Or should I just take it to someone? Thanks.

 

[Movementman]

Hi Tinker and thanks for the advice above. I have a mantle clock (Seth Thomas) with a JECO tuning fork movement (takes a C battery). After inserting new battery & pulling out the tab, the movement starts humming and I can see gears moving. But within a minute, moving parts stop, although the unit continues to hum. I have taken it out from the clock body so that there is nothing impeding the shaft. Is this kind of movement repairable? I opened the plastic housing yet, but have looked at some diagrams and am not sure which part is the capacitor. I'm pretty ept in the fine motor department and think I could repair it if I were sure of the part. Or should I just take it to someone? Thanks.

Very repairable movement, clean and lightly oil the pivots on the first 3 wheels (index wheel and first 2 gears). If it still acts up then replace the electrolytic capacitor, its a little metal can wrapped in a plastic label.

 

[Chris Radek]

When mine did this, it was because an index wheel pivot was stuck in its jewel and twisted off. They are just like balance staff pivots, running in hole and cap jewels. I did not find a way to separate the cap jewels, but was able to clean them with ultrasonic.

Mine would run briefly, but the mechanical drag was enough to stop the fork. It would actually run then stop, then with no drag on the fork it would start humming again. Of course when it restarted, it would keep humming and not running because there was nothing to spin up the index wheel. I mistook the momentary stoppage for an electronics problem at first, but it was purely mechanical.

When I fixed the mechanical problems and serviced it, it worked fine. Mine had enough pivot left to clean up and work when I adjusted the endshake, but I expect to have to make a new staff (and maybe new jewel settings) for it one of these days.

If you disturb or unmount the fork, the timekeeping will be way off. If I remember right, the correct rate is 300 Hz. I got it close with my oscope's timebase, and then my Seiko Quartztester that I use for Accutrons would read it.