Suspension Rod for a small Asian wll clock.

[plove53]

I bought this cute little wall clock. The problem is the pendulumonly goes a few minutes, and then stops. If I remove the suspension rod it doeswork good. SO, I think it’s the suspension rod, BUT I do not know what size orone to get. Please any help to let meknow what rod would fit.

I believe the clock is Asian.

Thanks,
-p

 

[eskmill]

I doubt that the suspension rod is the problem Plove53.

Most pendulum clocks will obediently tick away just fine with the pendulum bob and or suspension rod and bob removed. It requires a very little power to keep the pendulum in motion but the more massive that the pendulum rod and bob become, more power or force is needed.

If the clockworks is badly worn and the mainspring is weak, the escapement without the pendulum and bob, may wiggle away until the bob is hung in place. It is an indication that the clock requires maintenance.

I notice in your photo that the pendulum rod is not centered in the loop of the crutch. Interference or friction in loop between the loop and the pendulum rod wastes power. When the clock is hung in place, the pendulum rod should be in the middle of the loop, not tight and not loose. Some of us wipe a smear of oil on the pendulum rod where it rides in the crutch loop.

Your photo of the clock and movement is not clear enough for my tired eyes and weak computer to determine if the movement in your nice little wall clock could be Japanese or other Asian make. Does the clock have any label or clue to say where it's from?

 

[Willie X]

This is usually a good runner, Ansonia Pacemaker knockoff. Make sure it is in beat, and the escapement (pallet depth) is correct. It should have a nice wide pendulum swing. I would agree with Ech that the suspension spring and rod are probably not the problem.

Willie X

 

[plove53]

Thanks... let me take a look to see any markings.

 

[plove53]

The clock dial (very faint) says Sieka. I'm too lazy to take it apart right now to see the works an what it says.

 

[Charles E. Davis]

plove53,
One would immediately think of Seiko, short for Seikosha. This company probably made more than half of the Japanese production of mechanical clocks and watches.
However, I have never seen a stamped Seikosha clock movement using the arch top Ansonia style. It is reported that Seikosha had a relationship with Ansonia but I am led to believe this was not part of that agreement.
I will be interested in what your find when you actually can examine the movement and gong base and any markings on the case.
I should make a comment about the suspension rod. That style of clock uses the very common rod that you saw installed. There are several problems with suspension rods and crutch adjustments that interfere with continued running. Out of beat is the most common followed by poor interface alignment between the two items that Eckill has already talked about. It is hard to really see the problem unless you set the clock up and actually have it running under power with the correct pendulum. Spring tension on the train and the effect of the weight on the suspension rod can be masked by the absence of these tensions. This is especially true when trying to fit a verge to an escape wheel.

 

[Thyme]

First, straighten the lower part of the rod so it is in line with the rest of the rod. It appears bent in the photos.

Will it run with the suspension spring and rod in place, but without the pendulum attached? You may need to put the case at an odd angle to keep it running, and it will run faster than it would with the pendulum attached.

Assuming the above is successful, put the pendulum on. Is there a good healthy swing to the pendulum, or does it move very little when running with the pendulum in place?

 

[plove53]

Hello Chrarlie,

I got as close as I can. Let me know what yoy think. ty

plove53,
One would immediately think of Seiko, short for Seikosha. This company probably made more than half of the Japanese production of mechanical clocks and watches.
However, I have never seen a stamped Seikosha clock movement using the arch top Ansonia style. It is reported that Seikosha had a relationship with Ansonia but I am led to believe this was not part of that agreement.
I will be interested in what your find when you actually can examine the movement and gong base and any markings on the case.
I should make a comment about the suspension rod. That style of clock uses the very common rod that you saw installed. There are several problems with suspension rods and crutch adjustments that interfere with continued running. Out of beat is the most common followed by poor interface alignment between the two items that Eckill has already talked about. It is hard to really see the problem unless you set the clock up and actually have it running under power with the correct pendulum. Spring tension on the train and the effect of the weight on the suspension rod can be masked by the absence of these tensions. This is especially true when trying to fit a verge to an escape wheel.

 

[plove53]

Funny that you said this... had to lean the clock foward (about 1/2")... so far seems to be working. ty

First, straighten the lower part of the rod so it is in line with the rest of the rod. It appears bent in the photos.

Will it run with the suspension spring and rod in place, but without the pendulum attached? You may need to put the case at an odd angle to keep it running, and it will run faster than it would with the pendulum attached.

Assuming the above is successful, put the pendulum on. Is there a good healthy swing to the pendulum, or does it move very little when running with the pendulum in place?

 

[Tinker Dwight]

Hi
I'm just curious. What is it about the suspension
rod that you though was in need of replacement?
Tinker Dwight

 

[harold bain]

Funny that you said this... had to lean the clock foward (about 1/2")... so far seems to be working. ty

This indicates you need to bend the crutch back towards the movement so that the suspension rod sits in the middle of the crutch with the case flush to the wall.

 

[plove53]

I thought it did BUT it seems if I move the back of the clock... it worked.

I thought the rod was the wrong size.

Hi
I'm just curious. What is it about the suspension
rod that you though was in need of replacement?
Tinker Dwight

 

[plove53]

I will try that. TY

This indicates you need to bend the crutch back towards the movement so that the suspension rod sits in the middle of the crutch with the case flush to the wall.

 

[Thyme]

I thought the rod was the wrong size.

Nope. That looks like the correct rod (including the funny curve in it) for that movement. But do straighten the bottom of the rod so that the whole rod is in a straight line from top to bottom (with the exception of the curve, of course).