Kieninger & Obergfell Kundo Skeleton Clock

[Outbavk_Joe]

I have a new to me clock that I have been restoring over the past month and have a question.

This clock has a set of points that triggers the coil. Problem is that it fails to run on 1.5 Volts. It runs great on 1.85 Volts and seems to keep time. This clock was a real mess and badly corroded from an old battery when I received it so I don't know how the points should be adjusted or even what they should look like as they were bent in a very strange shape. I don't have any idea how bad the magnet is in the round tube that moves thru the coil.

Question what is the max voltage the coil should see on one of these clocks. Is any deviation in the 1.5 volts allowed?

 

[Mike Mall]

This is a Kundo variation of an ATO clock.
I have the newer "electronic" versions, (that run on 1.5V) but none of the older ones with contacts.
If you search "ATO" and "Kundo Electronic", you should find some information here.
Maybe even some information on servicing the contacts.

 

[Mike Mall]

ALSO -
This would get more attention from folks that have deeper knowledge of these, in the "Electric Horology" section.
If you click the "report" button, you can ask a moderator to move this thread there.

 

[Outbavk_Joe]

Many Thanks!

 

[sophiebear0_0]

Hi Joe

As Mike says, there is a considerable amount of information on the mechanically-switched clocks if you search on "ATO" or ATO-Junghans".

Assuming the contacts are squeaky clean, then there are generally 2 possible causes that the clock will not operate on 1.5 volts:
1) The contact setting needs adjusting
2) The gathering pawl is falling too deeply into the ratchet wheel and is causing excess frictional drag.

There are screw adjustments for both the contact setting and also the pawl setting. It is a case of trial & error - but I would recommend making tiny adjustments and then seeing whether things are moving in the right direction.

It is also important that the movement itself is very clean and has no unwanted friction. The ratchet wheel should spin quite freely.

It is also possible that the ratchet wheel teeth have become worn/clipped. If this is the case, it may be that you have to compromise and set the pawl deeper. This may result in requiring a higher voltage to overcome the friction/drag.

The coil resistance on these clocks is typically in the range 1000-2000 Ohms, so the current is very low. Running the clock with 1.85 volts will not cause any long term harm to the clock

Regards,

Peter

 

[Outbavk_Joe]

Peter, It was friction at the triggering points. I had the adjustment where the clock movement was using to much energy to lift the points off the adjustment bar. Once I adjusted the points to allow only a slight movement in this area the clock is now running well on 1.20 Volts. The attached photo shows the points and adjustment bar, (my reference to "points" and "adjustment bar" may not reflect actual part names, I don't know the correct terminology).

Many thanks for the help in getting this old clock running.