Genalex Clock - Smiths Synchronous motor?

[bremhillbob]

Hi all, I have a Genalex clock and I think the motor is a smiths synchronous type. Good news is that it runs and starts (more often than not) when I press the adjusting knob.

It doesn't have a second hand so it isn't obvious that it's running. Is there anything I can do to overcome this?

I'm guessing that if we have a powercut and then the electricity comes back on without the motor being started then this won't hurt anything.
It's going in a public building (our little village hall - an old Victorian school room) so I wonder if I should do anything to make it safe? It's been suggested that I rewind the main coil to run off low voltage - is this a tricky job?

I'm very new to all of this ..... !

Bob

[bremhillbob]

From the motor number I wonder if this could be a Smiths BM38?

[Nickthedentist]

Hi Bob and we!come!

That's the Smiths De Luxe movement, commonly found in Genalex clocks.

Some of these have a "tell tale" rotating disc whose edge is visible through a small hole in the dial. Without one, you can put your ear to the case and listen. A buzz indicates it's not running, a whirring is what you're after.

As for safety, just fit a 1A fuse, make sure it's supplied via an RCD, and consider earthing it. I can supply instructions if you want.

Nick

[Mike Phelan]

Hi Bob,
To add to Nick's comments,

Originally Posted by bremhillbob

I'm guessing that if we have a power cut and then the electricity comes back on without the motor being started then this won't hurt anything.

That's correct.

It's going in a public building (our little village hall - an old Victorian school room) so I wonder if I should do anything to make it safe? It's been suggested that I rewind the main coil to run off low voltage - is this a tricky job?

Some will disagree regarding this, but it's a pointless exercise!

[Nickthedentist]

Perhaps we should add tbat tbese are unlikely to pass PAT tests because of the design of the 2-pin connector.

I would mount it nice and high so that inquisitive fingers can't get anywhere near it.

[Test Desk]

There are probably all sorts regulations regarding the installation of electrical devices in public buildings due to health and safety legislation. I don't think you should do it.
My sister lives in a sheltered accommodation and a recent H&S audit resulted in the loss of a battery wall clock in the common room because someone could fall changing the battery! There is an able-bodied warden living on the scheme.

[bremhillbob]

Hi guys, thank you for all your comments - I've clearly found the 'right' place. I think I will earth it - can I get 3 core 'simulate 'old style' flex? I'm thinking that I could find a suitable box to fit behind the clock and take my 'mains' into that and onto the the motor safely I'd leave the original plug on the clock but disconnected.

That story from Test Desk .... wow. I guess I can see the point but gotta make you wonder. Sounds like somebody had to put something in a report!

Not sure if the video link worked for people but the 'restarting' seems quite hit and miss - I think that there is a small alignment issue meaning that the toothed lever attached to the 'starter' doesn't fully engage with the mechanism ... maybe a little tweeking is in order.

Always keen to hear a bit more about 'history'. I thought I'd make up a little card to pop inside the clock so that the next person has some info ....

[Hartley118]

Restarting a Smiths Sectric clock has always had a 'hit & miss' element to it. It's part of the charm!

Martin

[Graham G3ZVT]

Originally Posted by Hartley118

Restarting a Smiths Sectric clock has always had a 'hit & miss' element to it. It's part of the charm!

Martin

My grandmother had a lounge wall mirror fastened to the wall with a built-in clock. It was a self-starter, but it was 50/50 which direction it starred. there was no connector or switch. After a power interruption if it was running backwards you had to pull the fuse in the fuse-box and wait a minute or so to see that the minute hand had advanced in the right direction. Happy days.