howard miller 615-008 wont chime, missing pendulum

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 4:32 am     Post subject: howard miller 615-008 wont chime, missing pendulum

Hi,
I just bought a used grandfather clock that still contained the paper work, and the clock works fine, but I can't get it to chime or make any noises. After looking at the manual for a while, it looks like it is missing the cover that goes over the batteries and the pendulum. The wires attach to what looks like a speaker on the top inside of the clock. I am unsure what all I am missing. If anyone knows anything about the Howard Miller battery run clock, I would love hearing from you! My email is michellel085@aol.com (that's an L and a zero), and I will check this as well. I have no clue what to order. I have taken a few pictures and they are located at the link below. I would appreciate any help. Thanks so much!
Michelle


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.585004524528.2057158.44701184&type=1&l=2909f50ef5

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:45 pm     Post subject:

I would check to make certain the wires have not become un-attached from the remote speaker/movement. It could also be that the movement chimes have simply gone "ka-put" - as quartz (battery operated) movements do not last forever.

There probably was not a battery cover. If there was, a missing one should not effect the chimes. From the photos supplied, it appears that you are missing the pendulum assembly.

Fear not - Quartz chiming movements are pretty easy and in-expensive to replace. You could put a new chiming movement in your clock at a price from $13 up to $70 (depending on the quality of chime you want). Klocfkit can certainly help if this is the route you would like to go. Have the old movement handy when you call (as there are some measurements that would need to be referenced).

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 4:59 pm     Post subject:

Hi Chris,
So is it the pendulum assembly that makes it chime? The clock looks brand new- the owners said it has been sitting in storage- and it still had the instructions in the original packet inside the storage area. I can't image the movement chimes are already broken. Really, it's hard to even tell how it works. When I open it up from the front, it's just a storage area with three shelves, so all of the things that make it chime must be in that little square foot area where the picture was taken. It seems like it must have been a pretty simple chiming movement for it to fit in that area. Thanks for your help! Hopefully this will be a quick fix. I bought it for the chimes, because I remember hearing those at my grandmothers house. The clock works and is beautiful just sitting there, but the lack of chiming really takes away from it.

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 5:12 pm     Post subject: spoke with Howard Miller

I just called Howard Miller, and the service guy said that even though the manual shows a pendulum, this model doesn't have one, because of the storage compartments built in the front. It just runs off of the quartz movement, which is that black box with the batteries. He said to check my batteries again, and if that doesn't fix it, I'll need to call back and order another quartz movement (model 354475), which is the speaker and the black box for $54. Do you know if those are complicated to install?

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 5:23 pm     Post subject:

The guy said I should order from Howard Miller to make sure it fits and to get the right model number. Isn't the clock just a shell so anything should work, if I'm replacing the entire technical section-- the rest is wood--? Of course I want it to sound good, but what do you think? Does clockkit have something that doesn't require a pendulum?

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:22 pm     Post subject:

No - the pendulum does not make the clock chime. In fact, the pendulum of a quartz movement does nothing - it is just for show. Quartz movements can come with a pendulum or without one. The ones that come without one are basically the same movement (pendulum version) with the pendulum removed. In other cases, the pendulum part is still attached, but left clipped to one side (quartz movements have a special shipping clip for the pendulum - which also works when you will not use a pendulum).

Quartz movements are extremely versitile, so finding a proper fitting movement may not be so much of an issue. The main factors to contend with are "maximum dial thickness" and overall movement dimensions (to ensure it will fit your case). Minute hand length may be another required measurement. Klockit's best quality chime movement would be the 12000 series (search #12002 for an example). This movement comes without a pendulum (although one can be added by ordering separately). Note that we offer other movements that are less expensive.

Quartz movements are not hard to install/remove at all. Quartz movements will come with instructions (usually supported with some type of assembly illustration) to guide you. Call us if you should need help determining a replacement. Also note that we can certainly assist with mounting questions as well.

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:22 pm     Post subject:

One thing I would check is the polarity of the batteries. Remove each battery and check the plastic underneath them. There should be a "+" and "-" molded into the plastic for each battery. Make sure the "+" and "-" markings on the battery match the markings on the plastic. The reason I mention this, is that I have two different movements (neither the same as yours) that take 2 batteries, on them the batteries both face the same direction (and in your picture yours are facing opposite directions).

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:18 am     Post subject:

It works!!! It turns out I just needed to switch the new Energizer batteries that I bought to Duracell. I had a hard time believing that would make a difference, but it did! Thank you for taking the time to respond to me and give me tips. Note to anyone with a battery run Howard Miller grandfather clock-- use Duracell!

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:38 pm     Post subject:

I have heard of this before. With a movement we carried in the past, we could not use Duracel (as the contact surface was made differently than other batteries and resulted in battery contact failure). Makes you wonder if some quartz manufacturers have a certain preference for the type of battery to be used with their movements...