Mid year clocks experts...

[Rob M.]

[Jack H.]

Re: Mid year clocks experts...

Mainspring winding solenoid engages asynchronously to the balance of the clockworks. When winding spring exhausts its stored energy, the points close passing electrical energy to the winding solenoid. The solenoid fires and re-cocks the mainspring AND re-opens the solenoid points. Frequency of solenoid firing varies from unit to unit, but a 60-90 second interval is within the ballpark.

[Rob M.]

Re: Mid year clocks experts...

Jack,
Thanks for the response. I understand this part of the operation sequence, my interest is in the clock setting mechanism. When you pull and turn the little knob it engages a gear with a level that moves a half moon shaped piece that limits the little spring abound the balance wheel. It appears that the solenoid must be energized to release this half moon shaped part - that is the functionality sequence I don't understand. I think that the half moon shaped piece changes the frequency of the balance wheel to correct for a fast or slow running clock.

Thanks,
Rob




Clock Picture

[Rob M.]

Re: Mid year clocks experts...

Sorry for the bad link to the clock picture. Try this one and look at the first picture to see the half moon shaped part and the link to the gear.
Rob




Clock Picture

[Joe C.]

Re: Mid year clocks experts...

Rob:

It's been awhile since I've been into the clock movement, but I'll take a stab at it. Is it possible that you are talking about the mechanism that insures against overcompensating for balance wheel frequency adjustment if the clock has stopped and you must make numerous turns of the adjustment knob to reset the correct time. I.E.: the mechanism you describe will limit the balance wheel frequency ("fast"/"slow") adjustment to 1 (one) adjustment per rewind cycle. When the rewind solenoid engages(about once every 40 seconds), it releases the lever, and will allow for another "fast/slow" adjustment if the time is changed again.

Joe