VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Radios, Tools, Accessories Electric vs Mechanical Clocks

Why was it that the mechanical clocks seemed to give better service than the electric ones? The mechanical ones ran for up to thirty (30) hours on a wind-up and the electric ones would seem to run for as long as the battery had sufficient amps to activate the winding motor or until you drove off the dealership lot, whichever came first. Just kidding on this last part.

Well, anyway, it may be that the winding motor was the culprit because they (clock) seemed to malfunction after a relatively short period of time. Why? It was a simple function, i.e., the motor as the spring wound down it would activate a switch, supply voltage, activate the motor which would wind the spring and then shut off. Simple. So why didn't they work well? Was it the points in the internal demand switch?

Anybody got any idea why the electric clocks didn't perform well as compared to the wind-up ones?
I'm interested in finding out.
Thanks,
Charlie

I have a car clock repair business and could write a book on the subject. The main reason electric clocks (and by the way, 99.9% of them don't have motors) generally won't last as long without servicing is that they have many more parts than a simple windup clock. More parts mean more potential problems. Additionally, an electric clock is affected by external things such as low battery voltage (can damage an electric clock) whereas windup clocks are not.

Thanks for your reply. What does wind the spring in an electric clock, if not some type of motor? That's puzzling to me.
Thanks again,
Charlie

The electrical part is an electromagnet, that when energized by the closing of the points, moves some stuff to wind the clock, to put it crudely. It works much like a starter relay works.
The only clocks that I have ever dealt with that actually used an electric motor were made by "Motochron". It was used in some of the mid-fifties Ford's, Lincolns and Mercury's. I say "some" because most all years of all cars used more than one brand of clock. Some cars used only one brand of clock, but not many.

The electric wind clock in my 37 works fine as long as I'm driving it. When the car sets for too long it forgets to wind.
Usually, just opening and closing the glove box door will get it started again and then it keeps winding until it is parked over night. I suppose the contact in it is burned or dirty and the vibrations from driving cause it to make up. The mechanical wind clock in my 48 works good yet but I'm not there to wind it when it runs down so I end up resetting the time on both clocks every time I drive them.

Ed--It could also be the mechanical part of the clock stopping and if it is, vibrations will have the same effect that you mention, i.e.start it runnung again.

Thanks, I never thought about that possibility. Do you suppose that it just needs cleaning or is something likely worn out?

Charlie--The spring is a "screen door" type spring if you know what I mean. The electromagnet moves a bar that is attached to one end of the spring and streches it. It doesn't actually "wind" the spring. The streched spring then drives the mechanical part of the clock. The spring slowly returns to it's original length as the clock runs and when it gets to a certain point, the points close and energizes the elecromagnet again and starts the process all over again.It's kinda hard to explain without drawing pictures.

Ed--It probably needs cleaning.

Thanks

Ed--I might mention that if you don't have one installed already, to put a 2 amp fuse in the power supply to your clock. Many wiring diagrams for the old cars don't show wiring for the clock (as well as other accessories) and many people wire them up with no fuse. You can flat burn one up (and maybe your car)if the points stick shut.

RF,
Thanks for the reply earlier explaining the mechanism for the electric clock. Now I think I understand how it works.

Also, thanks for the tip on protecting the electric clock with a 2 amp fuse. That's a good safety tip.
Best,
Charlie

You're welcome.

I'll check, I think there is a fuse but not sure. That is a good suggestion.
Thanks

Hi there,
I have a 12 volt electric clock from a Rover 100, its a beautiful piece, with a black dial.

I would like to install it in my 34 chev std but as I am keeping the system as 6 Volt, is there any gizmo that I can install to make it work with 6 VOLTS?

Peter

Give it a bench test and see if it will respond to 6-volts.

I think I remember they used to sell a conversion transformer or something similar back in the day , to convert 6v to 12...I recall we'd use them to add modern "Cassette" Decks to our old VW's and such...Don't know if I've seen one around in the last 30 years or so...

...You might try and "Google" "6 to 12 volt conversion transformers" and see what comes up...!

Yes, there is such a thing. I think they are called voltage converters but not sure that is the right name. I have a 12 v. radio connected to the original radio "tuner head" in my 6 v. 37 chev and use one to power the radio. Try to google 6 to 12 volt converter.

I have an antique car clock business. Personally, I wouldn't even consider installing a 12v. clock. Why not just go with a vintage 6v chevy clock and save tons of trouble? A 31,32 or 33 chevy clock would be a good choice. Very easy to install because they only require about a 1/2" hole in the dash.

hey there, sounds like a very small clock?
where would I find one?
Peter

I have several. Which would you like, the early or the late? The early has a chrome bezel and the late is painted black. Send me a PM if interested.

I think Chipper has one he would sell.

Hi there AntiqueMechanic

I did a search of my posts and found this one above most useful.
at the time I was considering installing a 12 volt clock into my 6 volt system.. also trying to install a new loom, now it is installed and working I would like to pursue the 6 volt clock option!
Could you post a picture of the 6 volt clocks so I can see what we are talking about?
regards
Peter

Hi blueyAU,

You ask for a picture:


The clock on the left is 1932 and some say as far back as 30 (?). The clock on the right is for the 1933.

The clock on the left is an accessory for both 1931 and 1932. It is a retro-fit for 1930.