Westminster Chime Wall Clock ( RHS)

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:31 am     Post subject: Westminster Chime Wall Clock ( RHS)

When I aquired this clock from an elderly relative it was a non worker after being stored in attic for many years. After seeking expert advice I was informed that it was in need of a good clean and oil. I was also informed that that chime and gong mainsprings would have to be replaced. This was all done. Having received the clock seemingly repaired I have now found that it runs for 48hrs approx and then stops. Whilst running the clock runs well keeps good time and chimes and gongs on the hour as it should. The clock is in beat and set up correcectly but stops for no apparent reason. I have since returned the clock to the person who did the work on it ( not a horologist ) but still the fault remains. When the clock stops if you move the pendulem back and for manually there is no tick tock its just as if the clock has run down. One thing I have found is that if I turn the hands of the clock to allow it to chime a few times it starts agiain only to stop again after another period of time.Any ideas as to the possible cause would be appreciated as its driving me mad.

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:56 pm     Post subject:

It is imposible to determine the cause of your problem without seeing it when it is stopped. Try this: When it stops, move the minute hand backwards a couple of minutes, then try swinging the pendulum. If it ticks, you probably have a problem with the chime section of the movement binding as it begins it's chime sequence. If it stops at the same place every time, you probably need a re-positioning of the chime gears so they are not in a binding position when the chime sequence begins. This usually occurs a few minutes before the hour or half hour. This can only be done by dismantaling the movement. When your repairman replaced the springs, he possibly did not re-position the chime gears properly when assembling.

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:23 pm     Post subject:

Thanks very much for your reply. The clock stopped this morning and is now running again and will more than likely run well for another 48hrs or so, I will try what you say when it stops again probably on Thursday and post my result. Any explanation as to the reason why the clock runs well for upto 2 days and goes through many chime sequences without a problem before it stops.

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:54 pm     Post subject:

As far as I know, there is no gear the takes 48 hours to make a complete revolution. If it were stopping every 12 hours, I would say check the hour gear just behind the dial for a bent tooth, but the 48 hour thing is a mistery since it is a spring-driven movement. If it were a weight-driven movement, I would say to inspect the chain or cable to which the weight is connected, but with springs, the power should remain the same for days. Good Luck!!

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:51 pm     Post subject:

Yes thats what I thought and once again clock has just stopped approx 48 hours after restarting it. It stopped at 10 to 12 miday, there appears to be no undue resistance on the minute hand well no more than other clocks Ive got anyway. I tried turning minute hand back a few minutes but the clock would still not start.
In order to restart the clock for it run another 48hrs will do what I always do and that is to move minute hand past a few chime sequences until clock will start ticking again.
It is a mystery, the clock must be binding somewhere and the process of moving past the chimes sequence must somehow unbind it, Ive tried to locate the bind and I feel it likely behind the dial of the clock but cant see any obvious problem, the strange thing is that once started again why it takes 48hrs for the bind to occur again.
If anybody has any ideas as what could be the fault I would be most grateful and thanks again to WOW for your comments.

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:00 pm     Post subject:

If you have not already done so, examine every gear closely for a bent tooth. Especially look at the large gears, because of their slow revolutions.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:40 am     Post subject:

Still having problems , clock still stopping after 24hrs have inspected for damaged teeth, none found. After checking movement I have discovered after correctly setting the hourly chime to occur at the beginning of the step on the snail after 48 hours the position on the snail at hourly chime has moved to the end of the step on the snail, its seems that at about that time the clock stops. Any idea what would be the result if an escapement with the wrong number of teeth had been fitted??

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:47 pm     Post subject:

You may have something there! If it always stops at the 12 oclock hour, the snail may be binding on the count lever. Examine the snail position carefully the next time it stops. If it is binding, remove the snail and re-position it one notch (tooth) over from where it stopped. That may cause the lever to drop on the same step but in a different place on the step.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:16 pm     Post subject:

Once again thankyou for your comments Wow, when the clock stopped yesterday I repositioned the hourly chime at the beginning of a step on snail, after 12 hours running without pendulem leader equivalent to 48 hours with leader and pendulem attached the clock as usual stopped. This time the position on snail was still as set so I think we can dissregard this avenue. The hour when it stops is dependant on the hour started being 12 hours from the hour started I have checked for any kind of binding on snail and count lever and found none.
This time am trying some thing different, have now completely let down the chime mainspring, once done the clock started ticking again.It will be interesting to find out if the clock now runs past the 48 hour norm with chime resistance removed. I have now put movement back in wall case with leader and pendulem so will report back after 48 hours to inform of result.

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:08 am     Post subject:

As a follow up to my last post the clock has now been working without any problem for last five days with chimes mainspring wound down.Anybody know whether theres a chance that the mainspring itself could have caused the problem as I failed to find any binding in chime drive itself?