60 Clock during winter storage

[Pete P.]

After I had my 1960 clock restored, the repair shop suggested it was a good idea to keep the mechanical clock running through winter storage. I guess this is because of the mechanical winder inside. I used to disconnect the battery completely and place it on battery float charger. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Pete

[Stephen L.]

Re: 60 Clock during winter storage

I "repaired" my 67 clock 25 years ago. I assume a 60 clock operates similiarily.....

When my car is NOT in use, I disconnect the battery. This saves the clock points as well as the possibility of a possible electrical fire due to contact corrosion in the wiring harnesses. Corrosion can become more prevalent if the car is stored in a humid atmosphere.

By disconnecting the battery you prolong the life of the clock due to the following:
1) My 1967 clock rewinds/cycles about every 2 minutes. (I assume a 60 also rewinds every 2 minutes)
2) In one year of connection, the clock will cycle 30 times/hr. 60/2x24x365=262800 cycles/year.
3) Driving the car periodically and disconnecting the battery when not in use: approximately 14 days x 24 hrs x 30 rewinds = 10080 cycles/year
4) 10080/262800 = the % rewinds in a year with the battery disconnected: 3.8% vs 100% with the battery connected.
5) So if there are a finite number of rewinds in the clock mechanism then by disconnecting the battery the clock mechanism will be extended by a factor of 26+ (100/3.8)

Additionally IF the battery is connected AND the battery becomes discharged, the clock rewind points can become welded together due to low voltage and eventually destroy themselves resulting in a non-functioning clock.

[Pete P.]

Re: 60 Clock during winter storage

Stephen,
Thank you for the information. The way you correlated the cycles is startling. I didn't think of that. It makes a lot of sense to disconnect the battery to save wear on the clock. In all honesty, I always disconnected the battery in past years with a float charger during the winter. I'm not sure why I questioned what to do with the clock now.

Thanks again. Pete