Expert: John Newman - 10/4/2010

Question
Original movement was a 100M Emperor Clock Movement but has been replaced with another recommended by Emperor Clock Co. Unfortunately, I don't have the replacement movement part number at this time.

Problem is, this clock was running great but was recently moved to a new location. Subsequent to the move, the clock was re-leveled or plumbed. Now the clock will not run. Several attempts have been made to assure correct positioning and leveling. Would you have any suggestions that might assist in the effort to restart this clock?  

Answer
Ken, I would think that the replacement movement you have is probably a Hermle 451 94cm unit.  It could be that the suspension spring at the very top of the pendulum hanging assembly was broken during the move or while reattaching the pendulum.  If the pendulum was not removed, that very well could cause the suspension spring to break.  The other cause could be that the clock is out of beat.  A misconception is that a clock has to be level to run correctly.  Most of the modern clock movements have an escapement mechanism can be adjusted for that.  This helps when the clock is in an older house that might have floors and walls that are out of plumb.  The idea is to set the clock so it looks right in the room and then set the beat.  Set the clock on the floor so it looks right and is stable by adjusting the leveling feet on the bottom of the clock.  The clock should not wobble.  Start the pendulum and listen for the beat.  It should go tick....tock....tick....tock.  If you cannot hear a tick tock or it goes tick..tock......tick..tock, it is out of beat and will stop.  To see what is happening the clock will have to be moved from the wall and the back panel removed.  To put it in beat, there is an arm called hanger or leader from which the pendulum hangs.  With the pendulum off it should move equally left and right from a vertical line before you feel any resistance.  If it is over to one side more than the other, it can be slipped to move equal distances.  Once this is learned, it can be done with the pendulum attached and from the front of the clock.  It is best to set the beat this way, as setting it and moving the clock back will probably upset it again.  Try this and let me know how it goes.  If you still have a problem, contact me at my shop email address and I'll send you a photo of the hanger mechanism.


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

klokdok@juno.com

(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)