Need Help With A Standard Electric Time Company Clock

[ratfinkharley]

Hello everyone.

First, allow me to introduce myself. My name is David and I live in Weston, CT. My aunt would collect clocks (slaves and masters) from schools in Providence RI. She was an artist and would create beautiful pieces.

She gave me Standard Electric Time Company Clock years ago. I had it repaired but it was too noisy for use in a home, so it was simply mounted on the wall, While moving, a part was broken. It is the part where the rod connects. The thin spring stell tore. Is there somewhere I can get this part? Or can someone repair this piece?

I appreciate any assistance.

 

[bruce linde]

timesavers.com should have it... take measurements with a set of calipers

 

[ratfinkharley]

thanks - what is the part called?

 

[bruce linde]

sorry... it’s called a suspension spring. search on their site for regulator suspension springs. without seeing your clock you might be able to use the one for a seth thomas regulator 2, but they also have a beefier one for jewelers regulators... pls post photos?

 

[Dave T]

If you scroll down about a third of a page here, you can see the specs on the suspension spring you need.

Standard Electric Time Company Technical Information

 

[bruce linde]

If you scroll down about a third of a page here, you can see the specs on the suspension spring you need.

Standard Electric Time Company Technical Information

forgot about that page... very helpful, thx for the reminder.

 

[ratfinkharley]

Bruce - thank you for all your assistance. I ordered the suspension spring from timesavers; both Seth Thomas #2 Regulator Suspension Spring and the Seth Thomas #2 Suspension Spring.

Here is a pic of the mechanism, clock, and one of the secondary clocks with my aunt's artwork.

 

[kinsler33]

Those are splendid clocks. Next time, remove the pendulum prior to moving one. Note that the suspension spring's dimensions don't have to be all that perfect, so if something's unavailable, get something else that's roughly the same. You can even make one. Suspension springs have been fudged since their invention, and time still goes on.

M Kinsler

 

[bruce linde]

and, if the replacement is not identical to the old one, you will probably need to re-regulate the clock/pendulum slightly.

 

[shutterbug]

Looks like a mechanical clock with an electric winder. Probably winds a little on each full minute. A pic of the front of the movement at the escape wheel would tell more.

 

[ratfinkharley]

If I only knew what was an escape wheel! But it does recharge every minute, which renders it not useful in a home environment. This is a shame because the clock master spent a lot of time on the restoration of the mechanism. Are there any options for running this clock that would reduce the noise?

The two suspension springs mailed today, so I'll be able to put it all back together.

 

[Dave T]

Escape wheel is at the top with the sharp pointed teeth.
This video gives some good information on what you have.

 

[Echo The Husky]

You should set it running, I can sit and watch mine for hours. I have 4 master clocks here, 3 running, 2 impulse every 30 seconds, one every minute. It didn't take me too long to get used to all the clunking noises! 2 have been running for 12 months now, I love them so much. I slept in a hotel a while back, it was really strange not hearing the clocks when trying to sleep.

I did take some noise reducing steps on mine. Solid mounting on a stout wall will help a lot. I currently have them mounted on stud walls which greatly increases the noise but that's the only place I can house them at the moment. I have the voids between the back of the clocks and the wall all stuffed with bubble wrap to dampen the noise a bit.

The current to the solenoids has also been carefully adjusted so it is as low as possible while still reliably operating. Some mechanisms will have enough space to allow thin felt to be stuck to prevent metal parts directly hitting the metal solenoid faces. I have also slid a short thin piece of waxed lacing twine inside the extension springs to stop them annoyingly twanging like guitar strings when impulsing.

 

[ratfinkharley]

When I get the new suspension spring, I'll plug it in and give a listen. It has been years (decades) since it was last running.

I'll be sure to try those ways to limit the noise. Buzz/slam is not soothing to these ears.