Quartz Movement / Battery/ Pendulum Won't Swing

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:36 am     Post subject: Quartz Movement / Battery/ Pendulum Won't Swing

I recently bought a small, wall mount, decorative glass clock with a glass pendulum. It uses a AA battery. The pendulum stops swinging shortly after I start it. I do not see any obstruction to its movement and it keeps the correct time. I wonder if the glass pendulum is too heavy for the battery. What do you suggest to keep the pendulum swinging? Thanks for your reply.

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:25 pm     Post subject:

With battery operated movements, rest assured that the pendulum bears no effect on timekeeping. It is simply for show. In most quartz pendulum movements, an electromagnetic coil within the movement housing gives the magnet (mounted in the pendulum leader) a push. The pendulum mounts onto the pendulum leader, and will swing as controlled by the leader. Typically, the magnet will only be pushed in one direction (the swing in the opposite direction is simply a matter of reverse momentum only).

It could be that the pendulum is too heavy for the quartz movement to push (especially if it is not the original pendulum), but there are a couple of things to check first. Try a brand new AA battery (it may be that the battery installed does not have enough power to drive the clock and push the pendulum). Also check to make certain the movement itself is vertically plumb. Quartz movements are typically only secured by the center hand shaft. This means that the movement has the potential to rotate out of vertical plumb. Remember that the pendulum will only get a push in one direction. If the movement is out of vertical plumb, it could stop the pendulum completely. Double stick tape or a couple of drops of hot glue on each side can help hold the movement vertically plumb (yet allow it to still be removable if it should need to be replaced in the future).