Expert: William J Perkins - 3/8/2008

Question
I moved my Ridgeway Grandfather clock.  Took weights and pendulum off for the move.  I put the weights back on in order facing the clock--LCR; however, when the pendulum is started it continues for about 7 minutes then stops.  If I take the pendulum off it continues to run (although very fast) without stopping.  Do you have any ideas about what might be wrong?

Answer
Yes I do.  Disregard what might be stamped on your weight shells, hang the weights in the following order.  THIS IS IMPORTANT!!  As you face the clock install the heaviest weight on the right side.  This is the chime train, because it has to work the hardest it has to have the heaviest weight.  Since the remaining weights are the same it does not matter to which of the remaining trains you hang them.  Another possibility is the move caused the clock to go out of beat.  Your Ridgeway should have an automatic beat adjuster.  To take advantage of this feature move the pendulum to as far as you can to one side, release the pendulum from that position.  This will result in a much greater arc of swing that is normal.  As the arc diminishes the automatic beat regulator will find it center all by itself.  If that was the problem it should now be solved.  Should the clock persist in not running it probably needs a bit of cleaning and adjustment.  I suspect however the out of beat condition is the problem.  Regards WJP