Expert: William J Perkins - 11/22/2007

Question
Hi William
After I had adjusted my clock (rack chime) for daylight saving (advancing it
eleven hours letting it chime each hour) the chime has gone wrong. At ten to
the hour instead of the normal click it starts to chime continuously and can
only be stopped by moving it forward ten minutes to the hour when it chimes
the number of the hour and then the chime stops. I have no clock repair
experience, is there any way that I can repair this fault?
Many thanks.
Richard Gardner

Answer
If I may suggest, in the future simply stop your clock for 1 hour or more, then, reset, with the minute hand to the correct time.  Always allow the clock to complete its striking at each quarter hour.  Now to your current problem.  Since your clock is prematurely cocking, then falling into a continuos strike mode indicates the rack governing the number of hammer blows is not falling into its proper position.  This condition could have been manifested by the eleven hour forward time adjustment.  I would suggest you have a clock mechanic take a look and cause correction.  If you would prefer to try this yourself, and I admire people who take such an interest in their clocks, copy down and send me all the information stamped upon the backplate of your clock movement.  Hopefully, with that information, I could identify the movement concerned and provide you instruction on how to make corrections.  I might even be able to send you an exploded view of your movement, which would aide in that endeavor.  If you wish to go that route I will need your e-mail address to send it.  Regards WJP