Wall clocks stopped working...

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:00 pm     Post subject: Wall clocks stopped working...

I have 2 wall clocks - both battery operated (AA size) with a 2"x2" movement box on the back. One of the clocks has a pendulum, the other does not. Neither has a second hand.

The pendulum clock was purchased out in Amish country several years ago. I noticed that the hands had stopped, so I replaced the battery. The pendulum continues to "restart" itself (i.e. I've stopped the pendulum and slowly, it begins swinging again), but the hands still don't move. I've tried 3 different AA batteries.

The other clock also does not work after replacing the battery. It is over 20 years old and was given to us as a gift. I think it was a "kit" that our friend assembled. Again, I've tried 3 different brand new batteries and it's not working.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:57 am     Post subject:

Pendulum's in battery clocks serve no mechanical purpose, they merely swing on a pivot point through inertia.

Most likely your battery clocks will require a new movement. The life of the movement is only a few years.

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 12:37 pm     Post subject:

I was afraid of that... one of the boxes is glued to the back of the slate clock, so I'm not sure how to replace that and I can't figure out how the other is attached. I guess I'll need to find a clock repair place.

Thanks.

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:32 pm     Post subject:

Quartz movements are usually secured by a hex nut which threads over the center hand shaft on the front surface of the dial. Some quartz movements have a bushing that threads directly into the front case housing of the quartz movement. Other movements may have to be secured to a clock face/board by means of adhesive (as they may not use a nut or bushing to be secured). These are the more common methods for securing a quartz movement that I am aware of.

A starting point would be to remove the hour and minute hands and check to see how your movements are secured. Hex nuts and bushings can be unthreaded so that the movement can typically be removed through the back of the case. It is worth a shot to see if you can remove it before a clock repair person would.

Quartz movements are not meant to last forever (usually 5 to 10 years on average). Many (not all) clock makers realize this and usually leave a way for the movement to be removed if the need should be.