Hermle 341-020 Chime Problem

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:39 am     Post subject: Hermle 341-020 Chime Problem

Hello everyone. I have a schoolhouse clock with a Hermle 341-020 mechanical movment that I had to have repaired a few weeks ago. Serveral months ago, one of the springs broke while winding. I think it was one of the chime springs. I was trying to get in touch with the guy that I normally go to for this, but due to all the flooding we had in September, I think he may have closed his shop. I found someone else in the area though, so I took it to him. He had the clock for a couple weeks, replacing the broken spring and a few cams for the chimes that he said were worn. I got the clock back a few weeks ago, hug it up on the wall, and set the time. I noticed something was wrong immediately.

The chime sequence is completely wrong. The top of the hour sequence plays at 1/4 after the hour, along with the chimed hour beats. The 1/4 after the hour sequence plays at the 1/2 hour. And so on it goes. I let the clock run for a while, but it stopped. I noticed one night that it had stopped at about 10:42. I swung the pendulum, but it did nothing, no ticking. I moved the minute hand after I swung the pendulum, and the clock began to run again. I went to bed, and noticed the next morning that the clock had stopped again. This time, 4 hours later at 2:42, same position of the minute hand.

I figured I should take the clock back to the man that I had fix the clock in the first place. Tell him what I am noticing, and have him take care of it. I got a call from him about 8 hours after I had brought it to him. He basically said, "this is how most mechanical clocks are. I'll let it run for a few days and see what happens. I don't think anything is wrong with it, but I'll show you when you come to pick it up."

I let the clock there for a week to see if he noticed what I was seeing. Picked the clock up, brought it home, and hung it on the wall. Swung the pendulum and it started up. I let it run for a while until the first chime sequence should ring. Top of the hour came up. What played was the 3/4 of the hour sequence with the chime for the number of hours. This is still wrong. I let the clock run through an hour just to see what else is wrong with it. It strikes a single note at about 8 minutes after the hour and 42 minutes after the hour, no matter what time it is. The notes are also out of sequence.

I'm really frustrated that this guy will not admit that he put this clock back together wrong, or didn't adjust it properly. I am frustrated enough that I want to try to fix this clock myself. I am an automotive technician by day, but I have no experience with clocks. I found a Hermle service manual online, which should hopefully help me greatly.

My question to all of you is, is it not advisable that I attempt this repair myself having never worked on a clock movement before? The manual says that these are some of the easier movements to service, I'm hoping this will work in my favor. Does anyone have an idea of what might be wrong with this clock? A cam out of place? The chime train out of adjustment? Anything to look for? Or should I just try to find someone else to fix this clock before taking something apart that I cant get back together.

Thank you for any help you can offer. I apologize in advance for the lengthy post.

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:05 am     Post subject:

Would have not left the clock repairer the second time without making sure it worked properly. Check the post below, maybe this will help.

http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?74616-Hermle-341-020-Chiming-issues

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:07 am     Post subject:

Your repairman clearly has no idea how to deal with a chime clock. Out of sequence and improperly timed so that the last note plays as the warning starts on the next sequence!

First make sure that the chime sequence has done its hourly duty. Then advance the minute hand to play the quarter hour. Loosen the set screw for the large drive wheel on the back of the movement, and turn it carefully until you see the hammers drop in sequence for the quarter hour. tighten the set screw a little and let the half hour play. You want to see the hammer of the last note fall as the chime train stops. After you confirm that you can tighten the screw properly.

Funny how someone you paid good money to couldnt do what I figured out as a teenager on my very first chime movement with NO instructions.

-Pete