Need help finding technical data.

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 11:58 am     Post subject: Need help finding technical data.

Hello,

I am, as you can see new to this forum. I know very little about mechanical clocks in general so I ask for you help, if possible.

In my little town called Motovun (Croatia) there is this historic tower with a really old clock in it. It is not working right now, unfortunately. The tower was built around 13th-14th century and it was a part of expanding Venice, at that time. I suppose they also built the clock so, if true, I am looking for some technical documents on old clocks from that era.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9JvHqz_i-AQ/SHusDPJ-T_I/AAAAAAAAAJs/kAyMkk3Gumo/IMG_0122.jpg
This is how it looks from outside

When I get a chance I'll take some pictures of the machinery behind it.

I think it hard to find some documents about this kind of a clock, but if you can't find it I don't know who can.

Thank you
~Gogind

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:39 pm     Post subject:

I have not seen any technical data about large clock towers such as the one pictured (but admit that I have not looked that thoroughly). I do have some suggestions that may help. I think a good place to start would be old town records (if available). Perhaps there is some information (throughout the many centuries) that would help to shed some light on the mechanics of the clock. For example: Maybe it was repaired (or modified) during a time period when records would have been kept about it. Further insight could possibly be gained through mechanical clock repair books and examination of some current movements. I am not saying that the clock tower movement will be like the smaller cousin movements of house clocks, but books and movements of today could provide a basic understanding of how various clock mechanisms are designed to work. If anything, I think a basic understanding of clock mechanics could potentially be applied to the clock tower. Finally, clock repair experts may be of immense help. These people are trained to be able to take apart and put together house clock movements, and will typically have a good understanding of how each part works in conjunction for the whole. I look forward to seeing some more pictures, and hope that one or more of these suggestions may prove helpful.

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 10:40 pm     Post subject:

Here are a couple books on the subject, essentially a tower clock is a bigger version of a regular clock movemnet, however it has to withstand the elements, and drive bigger hands.

http://www.ritetimepublishing.com/towerclock.htm
http://www.ritetimepublishing.com/noteson.htm