30Hour Grandfather keeps stopping

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:12 pm     Post subject: 30Hour Grandfather keeps stopping

Well, it was stripped, cleaned, reassembled and set going. It works well but it keeps stopping after near enough exactly three hours. I have to swing the pendulum again and just give the gears a 'push'for a minute or so and then off itgoes again for another three hours. The movement in question is an antique 30Hour and engraved with the makers name and date, which is W Rider (Welchpool) 1797. I am currently thinking on the lines of a bent tooth somewhere.

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:24 pm     Post subject:

One explanation could be that the pendulum is not in beat.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:56 am     Post subject:

Well it does go for some three hours, just about exactly three hours in fact, strikes as it should, but then loses the impulse power after that time. As i Have said, give it a little push on the gears for a few seconds and then it starts again for another three hours.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:29 pm     Post subject:

if its a bent tooth then it would probably be on the mainwheel.
is it chain or rope driven?

when it stops take the weight off and check everything for freeplay and not tight.

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:10 pm     Post subject:

Found a very slightly bent tooth on the main wheel. Straightened it carefully just now and trying it on test . The movement has been converted from a rope to a chain drive and it is possible that when it was done the tooth was bent. We shall see what transpires. Will keep you posted.

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:28 pm     Post subject:

It worked - now been going strong for 24hours. Thanks for the info. I now have to start on my next one which was made by John Brownsword of Nottingham (1828-1849). It looks complete but we will see if it runs, plus I have to repaint the arched dial