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Old 17th Mar 2013, 11:08 pm   #1
crusher19860138
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Default USA electric clock

I have had an electric wall clock in the loft for some time now, I bought it at a boot sale a few years back for a fiver, I decided to get it up and running, but noticed the rating plate is stamped '117v/60cycles', I never spotted this when I bought it, but went ahead and connected it up through a step down transformer, it started working straight away, but is losing time, I checked over the movement and all seems OK, so why is it losing time?

The make is Simplex,and made in the USA.

Last edited by Mike Phelan; 18th Mar 2013 at 10:22 am.
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Old 17th Mar 2013, 11:34 pm   #2
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Default Re: USA electric clock

It is doubtless a synchronous clock which uses the mains frequency to determine the speed. Running at 50Hz will mean that it will be running at 5/6 proper speed.

I have seen circuits to phase lock to 50Hz and output 60Hz.
You could also use a quartz crystal oscillator to generate 60Hz.
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 1:02 am   #3
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Default Re: USA electric clock

Run it as a conversation piece and use your watch to tell the time
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 1:44 am   #4
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Default Re: USA electric clock

Some circuit ideas here:
http://sound.westhost.com/clocks/freq-changer.html
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 9:16 am   #5
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Default Re: USA electric clock

60Hz signal generator and a 100V line public address amplifier driven hard.
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 9:24 am   #6
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Default Re: USA electric clock

Put it amongst a row of 50Hz wall clocks labelled London, Tokyo, San Francisco etc, but label this one "Planet Zorg".

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Old 18th Mar 2013, 10:18 am   #7
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Default Re: USA electric clock

If you wish to use the clock regularly to tell the time, rather than simply as an exhibit, then I would run it on a small power inverter.

Buy an inverter by mail order or on ebay from the USA, that is designed to output 110/120 volts 60 cycles and that will run your clock fine.
Such inverters are intended to run from a 12 volt battery so as to provide backup power, but may of course by powered from the mains via a suitable transformer/rectifier.

A sine wave unit would be best for a clock.
The smallest size would suffice.
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 12:00 pm   #8
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Default Re: USA electric clock

Quote:
Originally Posted by crusher19860138 View Post
I checked over the movement and all seems OK, so why is it losing time?
Because it is designed for 60 cycles per second power: it requires 120 reversals of the supply to move the clock forward one second. So in the UK (where we have 50 cycles per second power), it will take 1.2 seconds to move the clock on one second.
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 12:07 pm   #9
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Default Re: USA electric clock

Small power inverters aren't very accurate in frequency. The timekeeping would still be poor.


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Old 18th Mar 2013, 1:36 pm   #10
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Default Re: USA electric clock

I purchased an American 60Hz 1950's clock radio a few years back with a Telechron motor - same timing issues with running it on our UK supply. I looked at all options ( replacement gears, building a 60Hz supply etc) and in the end purchased a replacement NOS 50Hz motor from a guy in the States, it wasn't too cheap but it did the job. I think Simplex also did/do manufacture clocks for Australia ( 50Hz supplies ), maybe you could find someone with a spare motor there? Or replace the motor/gearbox with a very cheap Quartz controlled battery unit ?:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_tr...at=0&_from=R40 ?

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Old 18th Mar 2013, 1:50 pm   #11
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Default Re: USA electric clock

There were some Simplex clock systems installed in this country which ran off mains 50Hz. Some had an additional wire which engaged a clutch which enabled a Master clock unit to hold the movement with the minute and seconds hands at exactly the '12 oclock' position to synchronise all the clocks; if this extra wire was left off the units just ran as ordinary 50Hz clocks. I know of at least one of these systems being installed as late as the 1980s. Try to find a service agent, there may still be spares for these still around.
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 10:27 pm   #12
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Default Re: USA electric clock

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottart View Post
I purchased an American 60Hz 1950's clock radio a few years back with a Telechron motor - same timing issues with running it on our UK supply. I looked at all options ( replacement gears, building a 60Hz supply etc) and in the end purchased a replacement NOS 50Hz motor from a guy in the States, it wasn't too cheap but it did the job. I think Simplex also did/do manufacture clocks for Australia ( 50Hz supplies ), maybe you could find someone with a spare motor there? Or replace the motor/gearbox with a very cheap Quartz controlled battery unit ?:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_tr...at=0&_from=R40 ?

Replace with a Quartz movement??!!Never!i hate the things,i love my AC clocks!
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 10:30 pm   #13
crusher19860138
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Default Re: USA electric clock

Just to update this thread,a neighbour had a damaged Smiths clock,but a useful 240v/50Hz motor still intact,i have just found it fits the simplex,and also the hands fit the mechanism,i have just started it up and it is keeping time now!
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 11:35 pm   #14
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Default Re: USA electric clock

Maybe you can sell the old motor to someone in the USA

Postage shouldn't be a killer on something so small.....
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Old 20th Mar 2013, 8:06 pm   #15
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Default Re: USA electric clock

I've just come across this, seems to be what the original poster is looking for;
http://www.domino405.co.uk/60hz_clock.html
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