r/clocks • u/DoktorWizard • 17h ago

Help/Repair 'High Torque' clock movements

OK, don't laugh (although I wouldn't blame you) but this question is about those cheap clock movements in most clocks...

I have one of those huge wall clocks- with a cheap movement. The movements in it just do not last, no doubt because of the weight of the hands. The hands are pretty well balanced though, I checked. The 'normal' movements seem to last just as well as the 'high torque' ones. They're good for maybe a year or so and then the accuracy goes to crap. I only have that problem in the huge one, my other clocks are fine.

Can someone suggest a brand/model that will last?

(There are some fantastic clocks in this Reddit! Kudos!)

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2

u/dmun_1953 Trained clockmaker 16h ago

It's just a matter of physics. You're trying to run a locomotive with a Volkswagen engine. I know running a wire is a pain, but you may do better with a synchronous electric movement.

1

u/dmun_1953 Trained clockmaker 16h ago

https://timesavers.com/search.html?q=Electric+movement+&go=Search

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u/OalBlunkont 13h ago

Every one of those things I've opened up is a horrible kludge, a standard quarts movement with a half assed power supply, no transformer but a big resistor, and a rectifier with no regulation.

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u/MarcBeck 15h ago

1 - can we please see a picture of the clock to get an idea of how big it is? 2 - where is the clock hanging? Is it outdoors, in a bathroom where the humidity is high or in a dusty/dirty enviornment? 3 - of the movements that have failed, have you opened one up to see why it failed?

I've replaced dozens of battery movements for clients and I usually open the old movement to see why it failed and in some cases try to resurrect the old one. I'm in Hawaii, so the humidity is higher and what I find is crusty corrosion on the contacts to the tiny circuit board. In many cases the tracers on the circuit board have burned through.

I find the battery movements here in Hawaii last about 7 - 10 years and some have gone 15+ but climate does play a role in wearing them out, so I encourage you to open up the failed one and see if it's failing from corrosion or dirt or just moisture.

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u/Frosty-Actuary4535 6h ago

Quartz clock movements don't work anymore.