Expert: Martin Meyer - 11/10/2008

Question
i purchased a westminster annivarsary clock at a yard sale-the tones wrok ok--however the clock runs slow--very slow--i put in 3 new aa battteries to no avail--can you help ?   this is the clock with a glass cover

Answer
Hi Joe,

Make sure that you have fresh, full strength Alkaline batteries, installed in the correct directions. Never use old-fashioned "heavy duty" acid batteries, or rechargeable batteries. If the battery contacts in the clock do not look clean and shiny, polish them with very fine sandpaper or the eraser end of a pencil. Also check the hands to make sure that they are not hitting each other or the dial.

Other than these things, there is very little that you can do when a quartz clock runs slow. These movements are not designed to be repaired, and are in sealed plastic cases. Your only other option is to replace the movement with a new one. There are many quartz movements available from clock supply houses. However, if your anniversary movement has the revolving pendulum assembly attached as a single unit, finding a compatible movement may be more difficult.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com