Thread Number: 93269  /  Tag: Other Home Products or Autos
Electric Clock with mechanical chimes
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 1179280   4/28/2023 at 10:53 (335 days old) by dalangdon (Seattle, WA)        

I recently picked up an electric grand-something clock (Father? Mother? who knows). It's unique in that is has a mechanical chime mechanism, which is something I haven't seen.

The trouble is that the chimes are seriously out of sync, chiming about five minutes after the time they should chime (i.e. chiming at 12:05 instead of 12, etc) It's also out of sync for the chime intervals.

Does anyone have experience with this? Our local clock repair services are snobs who won't touch it :-)



  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size



Post# 1179282 , Reply# 1   4/28/2023 at 12:02 (335 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
The hands might only be loosely clipped on so you could try to move them to a full hour by hand when the chime comes on.

Post# 1179293 , Reply# 2   4/28/2023 at 14:30 (335 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture

Good luck with that. I don't have a similar clock, but would be interested in knowing what the ultimate solution might be.

 


Post# 1179294 , Reply# 3   4/28/2023 at 14:42 (335 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

ultramatic's profile picture

 

 

Usually these clocks self regulate to the correct strikes. It has to run I believe about 12 hours until it catches up. As for it chiming at 12:05 instead of 12:00 on some clocks you can adjust the hour hand by simply removing and repositioning it 5 minutes back. There are many how to videos on Youtube. This is a fairly modern clock with brass internals. What brand is it?


Post# 1179316 , Reply# 4   4/28/2023 at 18:07 (335 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
#1

bradfordwhite's profile picture
I agree with #1

Post# 1179342 , Reply# 5   4/29/2023 at 00:42 (335 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture

Because some people block posts, and the message numbers do not stay constant, it is often helpful to mention names of those you agree with, rather than message numbers.


Post# 1179352 , Reply# 6   4/29/2023 at 02:15 (335 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
Pulling the hands off the clockwork and repositioning them 5 minutes back as Louis suggested will work in any case, even if the hands-clockwork connection is made of a "gear type" which wouldn`t allow to move the hands without moving the clockwork as well.

So I`m with #3 too, (well at least if #1 doesn`t work) ;-)

Oh, and who cares if those numbers get mixed up? Only a small childish minority will be affected. It`s their problem not ours.




This post was last edited 04/29/2023 at 02:37
Post# 1179364 , Reply# 7   4/29/2023 at 08:55 (335 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)        

I believe that's a Telechron - Revere mechanism.  They sold a lot of mantle clocks with that motor / mechanism.


Post# 1179368 , Reply# 8   4/29/2023 at 10:06 (334 days old) by dalangdon (Seattle, WA)        

The clock is a “Butler”.

I *think I may have fixed it, through brute force (from a clock’s perspective): I moved the minute hand counter-clockwise to the correct time, not allowing the mechanism to cycle. So far, it’s been behaving.

It’s missing a second hand, which is no big deal (how many grand something clocks are electric, let alone have a second hand?) but it needs something to keep the hour and minute hand in place. I’ve looked at other old clocks in thrift shops, but the second hand always has a pin that plugs into a shaft. This one is an oddball.


Post# 1179373 , Reply# 9   4/29/2023 at 11:47 (334 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        

cool that problem is likely fixed :) i was wondering who made the clock-looks like it is from the 1950s.There were a lot of cheapo versions of these clocks in the 1970s-early 80s-spartus comes to mind,some chimed.

Post# 1179385 , Reply# 10   4/29/2023 at 12:58 (334 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

ultramatic's profile picture

 

 

Butler is still in business, and they are a relatively inexpensive brand. I would say your clock is from the late 1960's to early 1980's. Glad your clock is working correctly now.


Post# 1179394 , Reply# 11   4/29/2023 at 16:17 (334 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Dan, first off -- good to see you posting here!

 

I'm late to this party but I was going to suggest exactly the action you took.  I have an old version of this Telechron system in an art deco mantle clock.  It was notorious for having a different problem:  often striking with one less than required due to an overly aggressive spring assembly that would eliminate the first gong, which meant none at all for the One O'Clock hour.  I would assume that by the time your clock was produced, this issue had been corrected, but you never know.

 

I finally retired the mantle clock after attempting to adjust the silencing lever in such a way that the striker bounced back enough to make contact the second time, which eked out one extra gong, but the rhythm was annoying. 

 

Everything I've shared above could be moot since your clock is newer and its chime is more complex (mine just strikes out the gong without playing a chime), but perhaps some of the info may still apply.  You can click on the link to the Telechron Clock forum for more information.  Meanwhile, I'll check my copy of Electrifying Time to see if it has information on your clock and if it does, I'll share it here.

 

I hope you're doing well,

 

Ralph



CLICK HERE TO GO TO RP2813's LINK

Post# 1179398 , Reply# 12   4/29/2023 at 17:09 (334 days old) by dalangdon (Seattle, WA)        

Ultramatic, that's what I was thinking as well - although I think it's probably more 60's/very early 70's. Both the styling and the chime mechanism seem more of that era. By the late 70's/Early 80's they were starting to use synth chimes (and they usually look a lot more cheap)

Thanks Ralph. I still pop in from time to time (no pun intended). I'd be interested in finding out what is supposed to be on end of the hands - was there a second hand, or a really tiny gasket.


Post# 1179414 , Reply# 13   4/29/2023 at 19:24 (334 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        
Real mechanical chimes...

ultramatic's profile picture

 

 

Nothing beats them. Electronic chimes never, regardless of the brand, sound true.



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy