C1 Clock

[Al C.]

On 28 Dec 2002, I posted these questions. In case anyone is curious about the answers, here is what I found when I opened my 1958's clock:
1. How long should it run, typically, between electrical rewind events? ...Mine goes about 8 minutes.
2. What is the electrical resistance of the rewind solenoid coil? ... about 4 ohms.
3. On the back face, are the seemingly insulated screws wtih tiny nuts supposed to be at case ground? ... Yes, the "insulators" are little rubber grommets - probably a bit of "shock mounting".
4. How does one open the case to get at the contacts for cleaning - does the set knob uncrew fron its' shaft, then pry the fascia ring open? ... I couldn't get the set screw off, but that step is not necessary. Remove the small nuts on the back, then pry the fascia ring loose where it has been peened down.
My clock ran ok for a while after being stared into (I soldered a flyback diode across the coil while in there; but for the life of me I could not see the contact points to clean them), However, after 2 weeks with no attention it was inanimate again. I guess it will go to Clockworks.
... Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[Theodore K.]

Re: C1 Clock

Thanks for the information. I had the clock from my 57 open a few years ago. I cleaned it and did a little lube with WD40. I also found the points and burnished them a little to remove some of the pitting. I put an RC network across the points to stop the arcing. It worked about a year and then quit again. I have not taken it apart since but want to do so again. They are touchy little things. I think I need to clean again but using a different solvent system. The biggest problem is that the run all winter when stored and that is not so good. Need to put a disconnect on it for storage.

Ted

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: C1 Clock

Disconnecting the clock during long periods of inactivity (any time of year) is what Clockworks recommends. If you have the original wiring harness, the clock hot wire has a quick disconnect link. Or, it is easy to reach around the console and pull the red wire off the terminal.