VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Radios, Tools, Accessories 1947 Chevrolet Fleetline NOS 6V Electric Clock Question

Folks, I installed a NOS 1947 1948 6-Volt clock. I'm running 12-Volts in the car. I used the fuel gauge transistor voltage reducer (the one with the little pigtail for ground) but nothing happened. Clock wasn't working. Do you guys know which voltage reducer I should use? Thanks in advance.

First test the clock on a 6V battery. Rotate the clock while connected to see if it ticks. Use synthetic clock oil to lubricate if it stops. You can get this oil in a long pen like tube with a very fine needle applicator. Place clock on bench at the same vertical position it is mounted in the car. The coil contacts can be tarnished from age. Clean with one drop of silver cleaner applied with paint brush. Remove cleaner drop with paper towel. If your fuel gauge works so should the clock. The clock should run for a few minutes on one charge of the spring.

Isn't the 47/48 clock a windup clock with electric used for the light in it?? Did Chev make an electric clock as an accesary?

Dick

They were both available as an accessory. Page 16 in my accessories booklet.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/4709.htm

First you need to determine which model clock you have. If there is only one wire I expect it is a wind-up clock. The wire is for the light.

If it is an electric clock, you will need to do some research to determine what size resistor you need so you get 6 volts to the clock motor. The resistor must have the same resistance as the clock motor so it takes half of the power and voltage.

A fuel gauge resistor might not be the correct choice. It might be the wrong resistance plus it might not be able to handle the amperage that the clock motor requires. The fuel gauge circuit does not draw much current.

Thank you for the tips!

I have a 41 electric wind clock but have not installed it. The reason for this is that I doubt the electric wind one will be reliable.

I may just fire it up to see. Who knows.

Good luck with yours.

BTW: I have a NOS 47/48 that I may put on eBay soon. It's still in the box.

The eletric clocks were nothing but trouble when new, Afer sitting in a box for 65 years I am sure it did not improve.

I have an electric wind clock in my 37 and it works as long as you are driving it but when the car is not moving it fails to wind, apparently the bumps and motion cause the little points in it to make up and wind it. I have tried to clean them but had no improvement!