Trigger movement

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 2:28 am     Post subject: Trigger movement

Purchased a nice cherry pediment clock at a sale. Came home put batteries in it. It has multiple different songs on the hour only. pendulum works, music rang when I moved the hands to the new hours. Hands won't move on their own. I tested it through one cycle ... now I'm not getting any sound any more. I think this is a trigger. Could it have used the battery up that fast? I was hoping that I'd be able to keep the different chiming songs .. now I'm not sure if I only got the trigger, there might be other issues. How do I trouble shoot what the issues might be .. so I know what I all need to get it up and running.

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:21 pm     Post subject:

The unfortunate thing to realize is that quartz movements (battery-operated) are not meant to last forever. That being said, you could try a fresh set of batteries (alkaline) to see if this would have any effect. Typically, batteries should last in a movement up to a year or so. If the center hand shaft of the movement has a nut securing it, make certain this is not too tight (just finger tight). You may also check to see that the hands are not binding on each other, rubbing against the clock face, or rubbing against any glass covering (if applicable). Also, give the movement a listen, to make certain you are hearing the tick of the quartz motor.

With trigger movements, there is usually the quartz motor unit (the trigger unit) wired up to a separate box which will emit the chime (sounds, etc). It could be that the trigger unit (main movement) is bad. If it is wired separate from the "chime box", you may be able to clip the wires and re-wire it to a replacement trigger movement. Klockit offers #12268, the short shaft trigger movement (#12269 - long shaft - will be available after August 2010). If applicable, you could (potentially) keep your chime box and songs.