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Old 25th Jul 2020, 7:54 pm   #1
stoptheclock
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Default Help required - Smiths Sectric

Evening all,

I've been given this Smiths Sectric (see attached pic) but having removed the back, I'm at a loss if it's in working order. The power lead looks to be okay but there's no plug attached - is anyone familiar with what sort of plug I'd need?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 25th Jul 2020, 8:13 pm   #2
sparkymike
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

My late mother and father had a Smith's Sectric in the living room. It was powered by a very small mains two pin socket connected to the house wiring and hidden behind the clock, which was one of the" sun ray" types.
To test it you can wire it up to a modern three pin 13 amp plug with 3 amp fuse.
You have to press the button which also alters the hands, several times to kick start them into operation.
Mike.
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Old 26th Jul 2020, 12:38 am   #3
hamid_1
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

Electric clocks often used to have their own special plugs and sockets, usually with screws to stop them being unplugged accidentally. You can still buy these but there's no need to. As said, you can use an ordinary 13 amp BS1363 mains plug with a 3 amp fuse, available from any electrical or hardware store.

The mains lead can be seen coming out of the bottom right-hand corner of the clock in photo 2 and 3. It looks like speaker wire. This type of wire is no longer permitted for mains power on new electrical appliances, but since it met the relevant standards when the clock was made, you are still allowed to use it. Just check the wire for any damaged insulation.

At the other end of the wire, if necessary strip off a little bit of the clear plastic insulation to expose the wire inside. There are actually two wires side by side. Connect one of the wires to the Live terminal of the mains plug. Connect the other wire to the Neutral terminal. It doesn't matter which way round you connect them, just make sure the two wires do not touch each other. Do not connect anything to Earth. Assemble the plug and make sure the back cover is securely fitted to the clock before plugging it in. The clock should start straightaway. You should be able to hear the motor running - a quiet hum from the back cover.

If you're not sure about how to fit a mains plug, ask someone for help. I'm sure someone on here would be able to help you.
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Old 26th Jul 2020, 4:19 pm   #4
stoptheclock
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

Thanks @sparkymike/@hamid_1 for your help.
One new plug and fuse later and the clock is ticking away again.
Now I just want to get another clock and fix that now!
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Old 26th Jul 2020, 7:50 pm   #5
AC/HL
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

Beware, two could be construed as a collection!
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Old 27th Jul 2020, 7:55 am   #6
sparkymike
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

Glad we could have been of some help.
Photo of my latest "Sectric". A visitor to my house suggested that it was a cinema clock. Not sure about that.
On this one, I removed the movement, took the rotor out and washed it out as it was pretty grubby inside. I then put a very small drop of proper clock oil on all the pivots, and now it keeps perfect time. It has been going for a week now and I have not needed to adjust the hands.
They were very well made in their time and I am proud to have a timepiece on the wall of my garage which was made in Great Britain !!
Mike.
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Old 27th Jul 2020, 9:13 am   #7
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

Love your garage clock Mike. Just the sort of thing you used to see in cinemas, bingo halls, ice rinks, bowling alleys and the like.

Alan
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Old 27th Jul 2020, 10:19 am   #8
Brigham
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

It's a cigarette advert. The lettering needs to be done with a deep yellowy-gold colour.
Every decent newsagent or tobacconist had one. A familiar sight.
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Old 27th Jul 2020, 10:55 am   #9
stoptheclock
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

One thing I have noticed is the dial to change the time is a bit stiff to turn - I can't see anything to unscrew here. Would a few drops of oil help here?
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Old 27th Jul 2020, 11:04 am   #10
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

Yes 'Craven A' in this case and you certainly did used to see them in tobacconists. I also remember the gold colour you describe.
Here's one with its original gold lettering. Apologies to the OP for wandering off topic.

Alan
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Old 27th Jul 2020, 1:39 pm   #11
cheerfulcharlie
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Default Re: Help required - Smiths Sectric

The motor looks similar to one found in Venner time switches, which reliably switched streetlamps on for years in all sorts of temperatures and atmospheres.
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