1966 Charger clock repair
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69a100
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Check for current first. If you can tweak the arm and get it aligned, go for it. Also take sandpaper and clean & square the surface of the points. Give a shot of brake cleaner to the movement, dry, and you should be good. If not you're looking at a quartz conversion, it's a easy swap. The only thing you'll lose is that the seconds hand sweeping and not ticking off a second at a time. If you can live with that? Good Luck
Had a similar problem with one. Took it apart, cleaned and realigned. Worked great after that.
There is a guy in Canada (Jeff Intwert) on Facebook that would be good with this. Or did you already get in touch with him?
Maxrat
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Yes -- I did get in touch with him. Thanks RedBeard
Maxrat
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I took it apart and cleaned it gently with spray electrical parts cleaner. As soon as I started spraying it, it began running. I then took it to a clock repair shop where they told me the right way to oil it. It runs great now. It rewinds every 2 minutes and 10 seconds. What a strange little clock.
69a100
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Yeah, as it unwinds, the points slowly close till they touch. Then they spring away from each other winding the spring to run the clock. It's kind of a electro machinal clock. Good Luck
Yep, every clock that I have come across (except one exposed to the elements too long) that is all they needed. Just need to be careful bending those little tabs if needed. And an interesting way they operate, indeed.
These 66-67 clocks are not difficult to get running properly as long as the coil on the solenoid is not burned up or open. It's correct that typically the points are the problem. With the points opening and closing about every 30 seconds or so, that's a lot of wear over the years. There is a small arcing on the points when the points open and close from the application of the 12 V to the solenoid coil. A careful cleaning, aligning and smoothing of the points usually solves the issue. Another necessity is lubrication. I used a very light weight oil in a syringe to lube all the moving parts. You just need a tiny amount of oil. No jeweled bearings here.. these clocks were built as cheaply as possible. You will find it's just somewhat precision fit shafts thru holes in sheet metal. Once you get it running, there is a procedure of using the time set knob turning clockwise or backwards to regulate the clocks movement to make it accurate. Once you get everything taken care of they are quite accurate considering.. There can be many causes of llumination problems with EL lighting feature in a 66 clock, but that's a whole different subject...
Here is a video of points in action...
Here is a video of points in action...
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Maxrat
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The clock on this 66 Charger is keeping fairly accurate time and rewinds every two minutes -- vs. 30 seconds. I took it to a clock shop for oiling tips and the shop owner said the #1 mistake was to spray WD-40 over the whole mechanism or to over oil the mechanism. He said only oil pivot points and don't allow oil to contact gear teeth surfaces.
Correct. WD-40 never except to loosen bolts or similar, not a true lubricant. It actually attracts dirt etc and can cause more harm than good. I use a 3 in 1 spray and carefully hit the spots (or use a brush) in all my clocks. Whale oil was the best, but good luck finding that.
Skatpak
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Do you know what the procedure is for adjusting the speed with the time set knob.
Demonic
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Yes, patience. LOL. You reset the time either fast or slow by going around 12 hrs to the correct time. There is a tension pin on the jewel that changes tension slightly every 2 min/at every wind.
Covering the clock in lube is a bad plan, as others said, the dirt will build up. The best way is to clean with alcohol. Pull the hands carefully and clean the mainshaft w alcohol. The only lube is the jewels, use neetsfoot oil and a toothpick.
Skatpak
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if I understand, if for example it is running fast you use the adjusting knob and run it forward 12 hours to the correct time again and thats it. for example if it is running slow is it the same procedure, you run the hands ahead 12 hours to the correct time. the reason i say forward is because if I try to adjust it backwards the chrome knob unscrews it self. So you can only go forward?. I dont know if it is fast or slow or on time but want to make sure I know what to do so I dont mess up my clock. If I clean it the hands just pull off? are they on detents so they can only go back on in one posisition?
Demonic
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No. Your knob is loose. Tighten the screw. If it is running fast you turn it back; if slow, turn forward. The correcting mechanism either increases or decreases tension on the jewel. The hands typically go back on in any position.
Skatpak
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ok thank you for the Info.
Skatpak
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2 questions. My clock runs perfect and after 30min was right on with my digital stopwatch, but i want to maks sure of......
1. does anyone for sure the rewind time is supposed to be on a clock? I see different suggestions even one up a bit in this post. I have seen people say 2min and as long as 3min 15sec, i do not want to guess.
2. do the hands just pull off with a bit of force or is there a tool needed so as not to damage the mechanisim? im not going to attempt until I know for sure.
1. does anyone for sure the rewind time is supposed to be on a clock? I see different suggestions even one up a bit in this post. I have seen people say 2min and as long as 3min 15sec, i do not want to guess.
2. do the hands just pull off with a bit of force or is there a tool needed so as not to damage the mechanisim? im not going to attempt until I know for sure.
Maxrat
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If you listen real closely, you can hear it rewind. Use a stethoscope if you have to. That way, you can time your clock. All of these clocks are not perfects and rewind times will vary.
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