The Ford Barn

31 coupe · 01-15-2022, 11:04 PM

Hello all,
I have a 1946 Lincoln clock for my next build and I'd like to clarify the correct way to power it please.
As it was originally 6 volts I'll provide a 12V to 6V reducer unit ...... my questions are ...... what current draw do these clocks have, are they connected through the ignition circuit or are they on a constant supply and does a negative ground need special attention.
TIA.

mercman from oz · 01-15-2022, 11:13 PM

Can anyone help 31 coupe with his question about his 1946 Lincoln clock?

Ken/Alabama · 01-15-2022, 11:16 PM

Constant power. What I done on mine is installed a toggle switch underneath the dash so I could cut the power off when I wasn’t using the car to save wear and tear on the clock and drain the battery. Those aren’t electric clocks but they are electric wound, it winds itself.

51 MERC-CT · 01-16-2022, 07:15 AM

There may be constant power to the clock but it only uses power when internal points close to activate the rewind mechanism.
And dirty points are in most cases why the clocks stop running.
Don't think that it is polarity sensitive.

5851a · 01-16-2022, 09:23 AM

What do people use for reducing the voltage on clocks? I seems like a regular reducer wouldn't have much effect on a low load split second pulse. Just asking never thought much about it.

31 coupe · 01-16-2022, 05:00 PM

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Thanks for that info guys.
I understood that they are a mechanical clock and the power is only used to rewind them .... but how many amps are required to do that as it effects what 12V to 6V reducer I get. This is the only 6V item in the car, the rest of it is 12V negative ground.

01-15-2022, 11:13 PM	#2
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,366	Re: Lincoln Clock Wiring? Can anyone help 31 coupe with his question about his 1946 Lincoln clock?

01-15-2022, 11:16 PM	#3
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,260	Re: Lincoln Clock Wiring? Constant power. What I done on mine is installed a toggle switch underneath the dash so I could cut the power off when I wasn’t using the car to save wear and tear on the clock and drain the battery. Those aren’t electric clocks but they are electric wound, it winds itself. Last edited by Ken/Alabama; 01-16-2022 at 07:59 AM.

01-16-2022, 07:15 AM	#4
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Lincoln Clock Wiring? There may be constant power to the clock but it only uses power when internal points close to activate the rewind mechanism. And dirty points are in most cases why the clocks stop running. Don't think that it is polarity sensitive. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES Last edited by 51 MERC-CT; 01-16-2022 at 07:34 AM.

01-16-2022, 09:23 AM	#5
5851a Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Iowa Posts: 1,664	Re: Lincoln Clock Wiring? What do people use for reducing the voltage on clocks? I seems like a regular reducer wouldn't have much effect on a low load split second pulse. Just asking never thought much about it.

01-16-2022, 05:00 PM	#6
31 coupe Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 43	Re: Lincoln Clock Wiring? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for that info guys. I understood that they are a mechanical clock and the power is only used to rewind them .... but how many amps are required to do that as it effects what 12V to 6V reducer I get. This is the only 6V item in the car, the rest of it is 12V negative ground.