Expert: William J Perkins - 1/9/2010

Question
Hi,

I received an older, used grandfather clock made by Piper.  Not an expensive clock as the case is made of plastic that looks like wood.  There are a few problems with the clock that I am hoping to be able to fix myself.  First, the pendulum does not keep swinging.  It slows and then stops after about 2 minutes time.  Second, the 15 minute, 30 minute and 45 minute chime sequence is off (meaning the 15 minute chime goes off at the 30 minute interval, etc.) but the hour chime always chimes the correct number on the hour (when I move the hands manually). Is there any way that I can fix these problems myself?  I have absolutely no knowledge of clocks.  The clock is wound by the weights. I am desperate for help.  I don't want to throw the clock away nor do I want to spend a lot of money having a clock fixer make a house call.  Thank you.

Answer
The pendulum not continuing to swing tells me the motor is not delivery sufficient power to drive the clock or that it is to far out of beat to sustain a running condition.  As to the first condition, you might resolve it by hanging the weights as follows; as you face the clock hang the heaviest weight on the left chain, if their is a difference in the weight of the remaining two, hang the next to heviest in the center and the lightest on your right.  IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT THE HEAVY WEIGHT HANGS ON THE LEFT!  As to the clock being out of beat you can tell this by the sound of the clock.  If the tick tick is even on bothe sides of the swing the clock is in beat and that would not be the problem.  If the clock goes tick tock, the beat is uneven and needs to be corrected so that it says tick tick.  To make this adjustment, grasp the pendulum at its very bottom tip.  Pull straight down with a weigh of about 1 pound, while pulling straight down move the pendulum in an arc of about 2 inches, do this 3 or 4 times.  While swining the pendulum in the prescribed arc, release it at the exact center of the swing.  If this is the problem you will have corrected it and the clock should be producing the tick tick it needs to.  If the clock still will not run, let me know, tell me exactly what the clock does.  Regards WJP