Self winding wall clock

[tlw1344]

A customer brought me a self winding full size Western Union wall clock. The customers daddy worked on this clock to get it to run but has since died. Someone bumped the case and it has not ran since. The clock does not have the dry cell batteries as normal. The customers dad has put two red wires with alligator clips to hook up a 6V flash light battery but with the new battery the clock does not wind. Is it possible this battery will not work with this clock? I know very little about a self winding clock. Others that I have seen have the round battery hooked up together. Any advise be would helpful. View attachment 322678

 

[Kevin W.]

I could be wrong but i think 6 volts is too much, might be the problem.

3 volts dc current,
https://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php...l-Observatory-Self-Winding-Clock-Orig-Battery

 

[shutterbug]

Try two C cells wired in parallel.

 

[kinsler33]

Try two C cells wired in parallel.

In parallel? For 3 volts, you'd want the cells in series, wouldn't you? Often alkaline cells don't do well in parallel.

Mark Kinsler

But who knows nothing about this sort of clock.

 

[John Hubby]

The required voltage is 3V DC, need two 1.5V batteries in series as Mark stated. A simple two-cell plastic holder works fine, I recommend using D cells for longer run time. If the clock will not wind on 3V there are a number of potential problems such as burned contacts, an open circuit somewhere in the solenoid coils or elsewhere, etc. You will need a reasonably good volt-ohm meter to analyze where the problems are. There are several members who should be able to help get you started checking it out, hopefully they will be along soon.

 

[JTD]

Do you think this enquiry might do better in the Electric Horology section? The relative experts might be lurking there.
Just a thought.

JTD

 

[shutterbug]

I'll move it over there. Yes - synapses misfire on the parallel wiring :mallethead:

 

[tlw1344]

I tried putting two D batteries together and holding the alligator clips on the neg and positive post but not a sound. I have no experience with current. How would a volt meter help??

 

[harold bain]

A voltmeter would tell you if the batteries are good, and if the contacts are good. Any voltage loss between the batteries and the coil could be found.

 

[Dick Feldman]

tlw1344
Check your private messages
D

 

[horologintex]

If the clock was completely run down before the battery change, you may need to "jump start" the motor to get the winding cam back in place. With your two "D" cells in series and making contact with the alligator clips, look for a "leaf contact" on the left side of the wooden case. Press the leaf down until it makes contact with the screw on the side of the case. This should complete the circuit, and start the winding process. Alternate pressing and releasing the leaf contact until the cam on the center wheel rotates far enough to engage the contacts on the rear of the movement. Then let it wind on its own.

If this does not work, the contacts may be burned up from using the 6V battery - double the required voltage for this clock. You also might try cleaning the contacts with alcohol to remove any oxidation build up that might be inhibiting a clean connection. There are three pairs of contacts: one pair can be accessed from the back of the movement - the winding contacts that initiate the hourly winding cycle; one pair consisting of a pin and a spiral contact spring located on the lower right front corner under the brass shield - this is a make/break contact that acts with the vibrating bar that flutters up and down to move a ratchet that winds the mainspring; and an identical pair on the back side of the clock that performs the same function.

Best of luck!

John in Dallas