Help Kienzle German wall clock with Westminster gong from about 1910-1920

[deepakbensam]

Hi,
My Kienzle clock chimes are faster than usual. It plays all 16 notes in 11 seconds. Can anybody help me with how to slow the chime settings. My friend has a similar clock that plays all 16 notes in 20 seconds. Since I am a beginner it would be helpful if somebody helps me with this.

 

[JTD]

When I open your video there is no sound or photo.

JTD

 

[deepakbensam]

When I open your video there is no sound or photo.

JTD

I have added the video again.

 

[J. A. Olson]

You can't time the chime speed precisely on these clocks. Some go faster, others go slower.
This owes to many meager factors when the clock was manufactured, ranging from mainspring strength to lantern
pinion clearances. I've handled multiple Kienzle chime clocks and the speed was never consistent.
The chime tempo also fluctuates throughout the week no matter what you try. This is because of meager inconsistencies with
power transmission from the lantern pinions. I've had completely restored Kienzle movements whose chime speed varies
slightly throughout the week and nothing could be done to 'improve' it. It's just the way these clocks are.

On a striking clock that uses lantern pinions, the inconsistencies are not so notable because it just bongs on the hour and halves.
It becomes more obvious when you do a chime train with lantern pinions, requiring melodies such as Westminster or Whittington.

The most consistent tempo I've achieved from any chime clock would be the electric Revere range, which use a synchronous Telechron
motor to do everything. They don't use springs, fusees, or even weights.

 

[deepakbensam]

Absolutely correct. When the clock is winded fully the tempo was fast but after one or two days the tempo gradually reduces when the winding spring started to loosen. I was confused that my clock had some issues. So now I think these are common in this kind of clock.

 

[shutterbug]

There is one thing you can check. When the chimes are running, put a finger in the fan. That should stop the train immediately. If the train still tries to run a little, you need to tighten the fan on its arbor. If it stops dead, just live with it

 

[deepakbensam]

There is one thing you can check. When the chimes are running, put a finger in the fan. That should stop the train immediately. If the train still tries to run a little, you need to tighten the fan on its arbor. If it stops dead, just live with it

I tried to put my finger but the fan still runs. i dont know how to tight it.pls can u guide me

 

[tracerjack]

I tried to put my finger but the fan still runs. i dont know how to tight it.pls can u guide me

Do you mean you couldn’t stop the fan, or that you stopped the fan, but the chime continued to play?

 

[deepakbensam]

Do you mean you couldn’t stop the fan, or that you stopped the fan, but the chime continued to play?

I stopped the fan, But the chime continued to play once I took my hands off from the fan. I have a doubt regarding the fan. My fan looks different compared to my friend's clock with the same model. This is the original Kienzle fan or it has been replaced?

 

[tracerjack]

Yes, it would continue to play once you let the fan go. The test is to see if the chime stops dead the moment you stop the fan, or if it plays a bit before stopping. You need to indicate which it is. As to whether it is a replacement, that would not pinpoint the source of your problem, since you say it is playing faster than usual. “Usual” indicates it was playing normal with this same fan and has recently gotten faster. The fan appears to have wings that will rotate outward when the fan starts spinning. You might want to check that they are free to move and not sticking from old oil or dirt.

 

[shutterbug]

Yes, the test is to see if the fan arbor will spin when the fan part is stopped. If it does, then the fan blade is loose. If not, it's ok.

 

[deepakbensam]

Yes, it would continue to play once you let the fan go. The test is to see if the chime stops dead the moment you stop the fan, or if it plays a bit before stopping. You need to indicate which it is. As to whether it is a replacement, that would not pinpoint the source of your problem, since you say it is playing faster than usual. “Usual” indicates it was playing normal with this same fan and has recently gotten faster. The fan appears to have wings that will rotate outward when the fan starts spinning. You might want to check that they are free to move and not sticking from old oil or dirt.

 

[deepakbensam]

I checked it today. The chime train stops immediately once i stop the fan.

 

[tracerjack]

Then watch to see if the wings come out as the fan gains momentum. The fan governs the speed of the chime train, so if it is fine, I would have to agree with chimeclockfan’s post that this is “ just the way these clocks are”.