clock testing

[1930artdeco]

Hello,


I just picked up a spare clock that seems to be in great shape-i.e. I can turn the hands with the knob and it looks clean. The one in my car does not turn the hands when I turn the knob so I assume it is toast for the time being. Eventually I will take it apart and clean it which is what I assume it needs. Sooo...how do I test the new clock? I know they need a power source so can I just run a small wire from a 12v battery and ground it it out to complete the circuit? Or do I need to wind it up and then attach it to a battery?


Thanks,


Mike

[miker98038]

I think you can just hook it up. But don’t forget to use a fuse holder, a 5 amp or smaller if you’ve got one. A dead short on a charged battery will make the wire (or anything else) into a fuse. Meaning it’ll melt suddenly.

[58Yeoman]

What I've read a while back is that the battery causes a relay(?) to wind the clock, then breaks contact until the clock runs down, then does it again. The article said that if the car wasn't driven, the battery could run down to where it didn't have the power to reset the relay points, and if they were closed, would burn and stick. I've tried to revive two newer clocks without success.

[Merc Cruzer]

Prior post. Then go down to # 26, I included a video of how they work:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...+points&page=2

[poolplayer1]

Pretty Interesting video showing the internal works of the clock.

[1930artdeco]

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Well, I hooked it up to my car's battery and nothing. But then again I do not know the history, so I assume the points need to be cleaned. Thank you the info.


Mike

[Merc Cruzer]

Not sure what clock you have but mine is a 6 volt clock. I would think that putting 12 volts on it might burn it out.

[1930artdeco]

I am running a clock on a 57. I just figure it needs to be cleaned up. So I will have to pry the face off to get at it. It is a back up clock I was just hoping to get it functioning so I could plug it in and work on the original clock later.

Thank you,

Mike

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

Well, I hooked it up to my car's battery and nothing. But then again I do not know the history, so I assume the points need to be cleaned. Thank you the info.


Mike

"Re-set the arm manually" and see if the clock works. If it does then clean the points with contact cleaner. You can blow it out with compressed air in a can, if you have it. Hold the can back aways, when you do it.

[jimvette59]

Is the clock from you 57 Ford ? If so I would send it out to get repaired. I had mine done for my corvette it's the same clock. They are very finicky and I don't keep it plugged in any more. JMO

[paul2748]

I fixed both of mine by having them converted to a quartz movement.

[1930artdeco]

Jim, where did you send it out to? And yes it is out of my 57.

Mike

[ventport]

I have been running a 6 volt clock on 12 volts for 5 years and it keeps perfect time.

[Gene F]

Originally Posted by jimvette59

Is the clock from you 57 Ford ? If so I would send it out to get repaired. I had mine done for my corvette it's the same clock. They are very finicky and I don't keep it plugged in any more. JMO

I have an insulated but-connector under the dash rail on my 57 Ford I can pull if I wish. However, when I park my car overnight, I use the battery disconnect under the hood now days.