Clock testing

[ZwolleY]

:classic: Well, I got my clock out and oiled it a bit as EScanlon suggested. Before I reinstall it I would like to know if it works. Is there a way to test it for a day or so to check it out without having to put it back in?

[AxtellZ]

When i had mine out this summer, i used one of those big 6V lantern batteries, just alligator clips to connect it & make sure it worked. Don't know if that voltage would keep time right, but it did confirm that it functioned at least! HTH, Jeremiah

[beandip]

Scanlon told me a while back that the clocks are really a wind up type clock that uses a small electric motor to wind the spring from time to time . That is why if you listen youcan hear it ticking. I dont know with out traceing the wireing weather or not it is 12v but I think most likely it is . If that is the case the clock wont use hardly any power so most any proper voltage sorce should do just fine.

[Dave Sommers]

You can run the clock on the bench to test it and set the speed. Just need a 12v source and hook it up. Wiring is color coded and since you have had it apart should know which is the ground anyway.

Let it run that way for at least a day or two and compare the time. If it is slow or fast you can adjust the speed as on the backside there is a provision for that. You probably won't have too, but if so make any changes very minor as it doesn't take much to make a change in the speed.

Running on bench will also let you know if it is going to keep going before you put it back in the dash and have to take it back out again because it quit.

[sapruns]

If the clock stops working what repairs cna be done to get it going again? Some one told me the contacts get tarnished and need cleaning but to get to the contacts, it takes surgans hands.

Its not easy to get the motor back in and keep the contacts appart in doing so.

[kmack]

If the motor dies in the clock, I would not try to open it up and fix it. It is way too hard to try and put back together.

I trashed one motor on one of my spare clocks because I bent the shaft trying to put it back together. The motor still turns but there is enough resistance in the motor itself that when hooked back up to the clock internals, it won't move anything now.

The other clocks I have, the motors all spin great, it's just the clock internals that get gummed up and need to be oiled. I would not suggest tinkering with the motors unless you are very familiar with tiny, fragile objects.

[sapruns]

The same thing happened to me with my first clock! I’m not sure I want to try the next one, although with patience and a double scotch I might try. I was hopping there was a way to get cleaning fluid into the inner workings with out taking the motor out. By the way, if you know anyone who is rebuilding their motor and needs 6 intake seats let me know. I was able to get 12 of them and only need 6. They’re not easy to come by. Nissan can’t get them nor MSA.