Smith Electric Clock - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stitch1 · 24th Jun 2013, 7:45 am

I have an Ekco A244 with integrated clock.

The radio was a simple restore but the clock is dead.

Measuring across the coil I get approx. 12.5kOhms.There's not a lot of info on the web but there is a guy who 'makes safe' by rewinding to run at13V. His page shows the original DC resistance to be 5.8K so perhaps this one has gone high.I removed the coil and insulating tape and disconnected and re soldered the outer wire but this has no difference.

Does anyone have experience of these clocks?

Stitch

Radio Wrangler · 24th Jun 2013, 7:56 am

The same clock mechanism also appears in the HMV1127 clock radio, though with a gold bezel.

David

Mike Phelan · 24th Jun 2013, 9:08 am

It's unlikely that the stator winding has gone high. The problem is much more likely to be a mechanical one; dried up lubricant from years of non-servicing!

You can easily check if the stator is producing a magnetic field if a screwdriver held near with the current on gives a buzz. That will exonerate the winding.

Try spinning the rotor to see if it moves easily; if not the movement really needs a complete strip and clean followed by lubrication using the proper oil and grease.

stitch1 · 24th Jun 2013, 2:26 pm

Hi Mike,

Yes that's what I thought/hoped but the rotor does run freely, or at least I thought it did.
I can turn it no problem but it doesn't continue to spin so so I've ran some light oil in and after a few spins its now running but needs a manual spin to get it going. The rest of the clock movement is very clean so hopefully just need oiling.

I'd like to clean it properly, is the movement going to be difficult to dismantle?

John

Mike Phelan · 24th Jun 2013, 7:30 pm

Hi John,

There's a remote chance the rotor has lost its magnetism but I'd still be inclined to clean it first.

Not easy to say how difficult when I've been doing these things for decades, but plenty of photos and scribbled notes are the way forward. They're easier to assemble than a mechanically wound clock.

Nickthedentist · 24th Jun 2013, 8:13 pm

...and loads of digital photos too.

I think they're easy to work on if you're mechanically-minded, methodical, neat and tidy, and have reasonable eyesight. You need a tray to work on (to stop bits rolling away, never to be seen again) and good lighting.

BTW is this really a Smiths? It doesn't look quite like any I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot!).

Nick.

stitch1 · 24th Jun 2013, 8:38 pm

Hi Mike,
The oil did the trick and it's now running freely so I've resembled and its going OK and even self starts when the power is applied.

As you can see it is in excellent clean condition and will only be powered up occasionally so as I fear I'd do more harm than good trying to strip it at the moment.

Good point Nick I had to check again to see why I thought it was a Smiths and it was from the service manual. on closer inspection I found Smiths English Clocks London stamped on the metal plate, you can just see it on the right next to the black wires.

Thanks

John

24th Jun 2013, 7:45 am	#1
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 826	Smith Electric Clock I have an Ekco A244 with integrated clock. The radio was a simple restore but the clock is dead. Measuring across the coil I get approx. 12.5kOhms.There's not a lot of info on the web but there is a guy who 'makes safe' by rewinding to run at13V. His page shows the original DC resistance to be 5.8K so perhaps this one has gone high.I removed the coil and insulating tape and disconnected and re soldered the outer wire but this has no difference. Does anyone have experience of these clocks? Stitch Attached Thumbnails

24th Jun 2013, 7:56 am	#2
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,901	Re: Smith Electric Clock The same clock mechanism also appears in the HMV1127 clock radio, though with a gold bezel. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

24th Jun 2013, 9:08 am	#3
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Smith Electric Clock It's unlikely that the stator winding has gone high. The problem is much more likely to be a mechanical one; dried up lubricant from years of non-servicing! You can easily check if the stator is producing a magnetic field if a screwdriver held near with the current on gives a buzz. That will exonerate the winding. Try spinning the rotor to see if it moves easily; if not the movement really needs a complete strip and clean followed by lubrication using the proper oil and grease. __________________ Mike.

24th Jun 2013, 2:26 pm	#4
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 826	Re: Smith Electric Clock Hi Mike, Yes that's what I thought/hoped but the rotor does run freely, or at least I thought it did. I can turn it no problem but it doesn't continue to spin so so I've ran some light oil in and after a few spins its now running but needs a manual spin to get it going. The rest of the clock movement is very clean so hopefully just need oiling. I'd like to clean it properly, is the movement going to be difficult to dismantle? John

24th Jun 2013, 7:30 pm	#5
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Smith Electric Clock Hi John, There's a remote chance the rotor has lost its magnetism but I'd still be inclined to clean it first. Not easy to say how difficult when I've been doing these things for decades, but plenty of photos and scribbled notes are the way forward. They're easier to assemble than a mechanically wound clock. __________________ Mike.

24th Jun 2013, 8:13 pm	#6
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,863	Re: Smith Electric Clock ...and loads of digital photos too. I think they're easy to work on if you're mechanically-minded, methodical, neat and tidy, and have reasonable eyesight. You need a tray to work on (to stop bits rolling away, never to be seen again) and good lighting. BTW is this really a Smiths? It doesn't look quite like any I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot!). Nick.

24th Jun 2013, 8:38 pm	#7
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 826	Re: Smith Electric Clock Hi Mike, The oil did the trick and it's now running freely so I've resembled and its going OK and even self starts when the power is applied. As you can see it is in excellent clean condition and will only be powered up occasionally so as I fear I'd do more harm than good trying to strip it at the moment. Good point Nick I had to check again to see why I thought it was a Smiths and it was from the service manual. on closer inspection I found Smiths English Clocks London stamped on the metal plate, you can just see it on the right next to the black wires. Thanks John Attached Thumbnails