Expert: John Newman - 11/7/2011

Question
QUESTION: I recently got my Grandmother's Alaron 31 day Clock & it will run, but it loses about 15 minutes every day.  Can we make an adjustment to correct the problem?   I would appreciate your advice.

Thank You,
Wanda

ANSWER: Wanda, what I can see from the photo is that there is a light worn place on the pendulum wood stick above the pendulum bob.  If that is the case, the rating nut has unscrewed and the bob has dropped, causing it to run slow.  If that is the case, tighten the nut until the bob moves up to the top of the worn place.  For minor time changes the small round nut at the bottom of the pendulum bob is turned to adjust the rate.  You would tighten it to increase the rate of the clock or loosen it to decrease the rate.  The bob should always rest firmly on the nut before and after adjusting. You might have to below with the subject "Alaron Clock Loosing Time" and I will send you a photo of what the mechanism looks like behind the dial on an Asian clock.  It could be that the suspension rod has broken.

John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

klokdok@juno.com

Note concerning questions not related to Allexperts:  Because of my commitment to answering Allexperts questions within a prescribed time limit and the large backlog of clock work at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis, other than Allexperts follow up questions.  I will try to answer these emails as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience



Follow Up Correction:  Wanda, I apologize, but part of my answer was upset by some type of glitch.  

It read, "You might have to below with the subject "Alaron Clock Loosing Time" and I will send you a photo of what the mechanism looks like behind the dial on an Asian clock."

It should read, "You might have a broken suspension rod.  If you will contact me at my email address below with the subject "Alaron Clock Loosing Time", I will send you a photo of what the mechanism looks like behind the dial of an Asian Clock."

John Newman




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: John,
I am not sure I responded to your answer correctly, but are you sending me a photo of what the mechanism looks like behind the dial of an Asian Clock."?

Or, should I use your e-mail you provided for me to request the information?

Wanda

Answer
Wanda, the plan was for you to check and see if the pendulum bob was too far down, as indicated by the worn marks on the pendulum stick.  If so, tighten the nut so the bob moves up to the top of the mark.  Then set the clock, start it and time if for, say, 24 hours.  If it is close to the right rate, fine adust it until it is running at the correct rate.  If this isn't the case, contact me at my shop email address I have given you in my previous post and I will send the photo.

John newman