[xk] Electric clock

XK
1

To all. I want to check out the clock in the rev counter and was wondering
if there is a resister to reduce the amperage to the clock or if it runs
direct off the battery the factory manual dose not say or I dont know where
to look. I was going to check it with a 2 amp charger.then to the clock shop
to be cleaned. Thanks for your advice.
Bob L—
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2

Bob,

It runs straight off the battery. Don’t reverse the polarity.

Regards,

David Lonsdale, Cirencester, UK
XK120 FHC, 681396

3

Hi David. Thanks but I think it was reversed before I got the car it was
negative ground. The clock looks very clean and it tries to work but not
good enough to move the hands so I guess I will leave it alone old car
clocks never were good.
Bob L----- Original Message -----
From: DavidNLonsdale@aol.com
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:44 PM
Subject: Re: [xk] Electric clock

Bob,

It runs straight off the battery. Don’t reverse the polarity.

Regards,

David Lonsdale, Cirencester, UK
XK120 FHC, 681396

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4

… I guess I will leave it alone old car

clocks never were good.

          Bob L;
        My folks bought  new Cadillacs..  We kept the '51, until Dad

retired in '61 then they bought a new '61… I got the '51 in '65.
Bottom line is, the clocks never worked in any of my folks
Cadillacs except the '67… and the '67 was always having some sort of
trouble… All the other cars, with bad clocks, ran great and trouble free.
I think the car gods hate clocks… besides, who needs to know
what the time is when you are driving a Jaguar XK??
Charles #677556.----- Original Message -----
From: “Bob Lockas”

5

Bob,

The clocks are directly “off the battery” with no external current
limiters. They draw very little anyway. A battery charger is not a good
idea because it delivers a pulsating DC sometimes full wave, some times
half wave which is worse. You can put it across a battery and charger
for a test as the battery will take the ripple out. Even a bad battery
will do this quite well.

The clock does not draw a steady current as it has a contact wiper
(switch) attached to the balance wheel. this tiny contact spring
momentarily energizes an electromagnet that pulls the balance wheel off
rest and starts the tic, tic action. These contacts do get dirty, and
they do wear out. They can be carefully cleaned and they can be
replaced. A suitable media and source of material might be gleaned from
an old D’Arsonval meter movement or something similar. Generally it is
of beryllium copper. These clocks are really quite extraordinary for the
period and quite well made. Very often a cleaning will put them back in
service. I am quite sure, the 120 clocks were not polarity conscious
although they might have had a polarity marking. If they are though, the
leads from the electromagnet (inside job) could be carefully swapped to
suit your new configuration.

Good luck,

Rick
677342-DHC
673190-Roadster________________________________________________________________
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6

Bob,
I tried to fix two clocks with the help of a friend, we used his
surgery table and a microscope, but with no succsess. There is
a tiny electric contact which is usually worn and we did not find
a replacement. I left the watches with Guy Broad who takes care
of them now, the price for the repair will be around 40-50£./each

Peter Herzog #671096+*675463

DavidNLonsdale@aol.com schrieb:> Bob,

It runs straight off the battery. Don’t reverse the polarity.

Regards,

David Lonsdale, Cirencester, UK
XK120 FHC, 681396

7

Peter Herzog. Thank you for your input I am putting in my new dash and I
think I will let the clock stay as is I dont want to have to take out the
dash again for fear of scratching it .
Bob L
S681452
XK120FHC----- Original Message -----
From: “Peter Herzog” hpherz@bluewin.ch
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 3:02 AM
Subject: Re: [xk] Electric clock

Bob,
I tried to fix two clocks with the help of a friend, we used his
surgery table and a microscope, but with no succsess. There is
a tiny electric contact which is usually worn and we did not find
a replacement. I left the watches with Guy Broad who takes care
of them now, the price for the repair will be around 40-50£./each

Peter Herzog #671096+*675463

DavidNLonsdale@aol.com schrieb:

Bob,

It runs straight off the battery. Don’t reverse the polarity.

Regards,

David Lonsdale, Cirencester, UK
XK120 FHC, 681396

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8

Bob,
The clock runs directly off the battery,and is not polarity sensitive.
Since its trying to work but won’t move the hands, the problem is that
the two electomagnets inside are out of position, which can be adjusted
by the two nuts on the back. The other common fault is dirty contacts.
Bill Eastman wrote a thorough piece on how to fix these a couple of
years ago, which should be in the archives.
Rob Reilly

9

Rick Holland. Thank you for your information I will try it of the battery. I
didn’t know about the pulsating current. that is why the balance wheel is
not rocking back and forth far enough to move the rest of the gears I hope.
I will let you know of the out come.
Bob L
S681452
XK120FHC----- Original Message -----
From: holland-rick@juno.com
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2002 10:11 PM
Subject: Re: [xk] Electric clock

Bob,

The clocks are directly “off the battery” with no external current
limiters. They draw very little anyway. A battery charger is not a good
idea because it delivers a pulsating DC sometimes full wave, some times
half wave which is worse. You can put it across a battery and charger
for a test as the battery will take the ripple out. Even a bad battery
will do this quite well.

The clock does not draw a steady current as it has a contact wiper
(switch) attached to the balance wheel. this tiny contact spring
momentarily energizes an electromagnet that pulls the balance wheel off
rest and starts the tic, tic action. These contacts do get dirty, and
they do wear out. They can be carefully cleaned and they can be
replaced. A suitable media and source of material might be gleaned from
an old D’Arsonval meter movement or something similar. Generally it is
of beryllium copper. These clocks are really quite extraordinary for the
period and quite well made. Very often a cleaning will put them back in
service. I am quite sure, the 120 clocks were not polarity conscious
although they might have had a polarity marking. If they are though, the
leads from the electromagnet (inside job) could be carefully swapped to
suit your new configuration.

Good luck,

Rick
677342-DHC
673190-Roadster

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10

Charles. I had a 1950 Caddy and the clock worked all the time I had it also
the 56 caddy the one I traded for my Jag. I am going to give it one more try
direct on the battery and see if it will work. Thank you for the help.
Bob L
S681452
XK120FHC----- Original Message -----
From: “Charles E. Bishop” BISHOP-13@ispwest.com
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2002 4:55 PM
Subject: Re: [xk] Electric clock

----- Original Message -----
From: “Bob Lockas”
… I guess I will leave it alone old car

clocks never were good.

          Bob L;
        My folks bought  new Cadillacs..  We kept the '51, until Dad

retired in '61 then they bought a new '61… I got the '51 in '65.
Bottom line is, the clocks never worked in any of my folks
Cadillacs except the '67… and the '67 was always having some sort of
trouble… All the other cars, with bad clocks, ran great and trouble
free.
I think the car gods hate clocks… besides, who needs to know
what the time is when you are driving a Jaguar XK??
Charles #677556.

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11

Rob Reilly. Thanks for the information I got the clock to run and has been
running for about three hours now. The other problem is when I disconnect
the battery and reconnect it you have to move the balance wheel to start it.
I did not know about the two nut on the back to move the contacts I bent the
two metal pieces to line up to the balance wheel that is when the thing
started to work now if I can find out why it wont start on its own it will
be ok ?
Bob L
S681452
XK120FHC----- Original Message -----
From: “R,J,G&KReilly” xk120q@ix.netcom.com
To: “Jaguar XK list” xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 7:04 AM
Subject: [xk] Electric clock

Bob,
The clock runs directly off the battery,and is not polarity sensitive.
Since its trying to work but won’t move the hands, the problem is that
the two electomagnets inside are out of position, which can be adjusted
by the two nuts on the back. The other common fault is dirty contacts.
Bill Eastman wrote a thorough piece on how to fix these a couple of
years ago, which should be in the archives.
Rob Reilly

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12

Bob,
It has always been my understanding that the clock will not start again on
it’s own, you have to set it.
Regards,
Knight----- Original Message -----
From: “Bob Lockas” lockas@swko.net
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 02 3:30 PM
Subject: Re: [xk] Electric clock

Rob Reilly. Thanks for the information I got the clock to run and has been
running for about three hours now. The other problem is when I disconnect
the battery and reconnect it you have to move the balance wheel to start
it.
I did not know about the two nut on the back to move the contacts I bent
the
two metal pieces to line up to the balance wheel that is when the thing
started to work now if I can find out why it wont start on its own it will
be ok ?
Bob L
S681452
XK120FHC
----- Original Message -----
From: “R,J,G&KReilly” xk120q@ix.netcom.com
To: “Jaguar XK list” xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 7:04 AM
Subject: [xk] Electric clock

Bob,
The clock runs directly off the battery,and is not polarity sensitive.
Since its trying to work but won’t move the hands, the problem is that
the two electomagnets inside are out of position, which can be adjusted
by the two nuts on the back. The other common fault is dirty contacts.
Bill Eastman wrote a thorough piece on how to fix these a couple of
years ago, which should be in the archives.
Rob Reilly

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13

Knight Martorell. thank you I will give it try I dont know what I would do
if this list did not exist.
Bob L
S681452
XK120FHC----- Original Message -----
From: “Knight Martorell” pkm120@earthlink.net
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 2:47 PM
Subject: Re: [xk] Electric clock

Bob,
It has always been my understanding that the clock will not start again on
it’s own, you have to set it.
Regards,
Knight
----- Original Message -----
From: “Bob Lockas” <@Bob_Lockas>
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 02 3:30 PM
Subject: Re: [xk] Electric clock

Rob Reilly. Thanks for the information I got the clock to run and has
been
running for about three hours now. The other problem is when I
disconnect
the battery and reconnect it you have to move the balance wheel to start
it.
I did not know about the two nut on the back to move the contacts I bent
the
two metal pieces to line up to the balance wheel that is when the thing
started to work now if I can find out why it wont start on its own it
will
be ok ?
Bob L
S681452
XK120FHC
----- Original Message -----
From: “R,J,G&KReilly” xk120q@ix.netcom.com
To: “Jaguar XK list” xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 7:04 AM
Subject: [xk] Electric clock

Bob,
The clock runs directly off the battery,and is not polarity sensitive.
Since its trying to work but won’t move the hands, the problem is that
the two electomagnets inside are out of position, which can be
adjusted
by the two nuts on the back. The other common fault is dirty contacts.
Bill Eastman wrote a thorough piece on how to fix these a couple of
years ago, which should be in the archives.
Rob Reilly

[This E-mail scanned for viruses]

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14

I guess I lucked out with my clock, because it has been working for about 4 years now. Cleaned lubed with clock oil, bent the contact a little and so far so good.
I didn’t notice any polarity sensitive components in it since it is just operated by an em coil.
I had one judge think my fuel pump was clicking, but it was the clock.
Charles, I even got my P1800 Volvo clock working.

Larry J

In a message dated Thu, 29 Aug 2002 8:05:19 AM Eastern Standard Time, lockas@swko.net writes:> > Bob,

I tried to fix two clocks with the help of a friend, we used his
surgery table and a microscope, but with no succsess. There is
a tiny electric contact which is usually worn and we did not find
a replacement. I left the watches with Guy Broad who takes care
of them now, the price for the repair will be around 40-50�./each

Peter Herzog #671096+*675463

DavidNLonsdale@aol.com schrieb:

Bob,

It runs straight off the battery. Don’t reverse the
polarity.

Regards,

David Lonsdale, Cirencester, UK
XK120 FHC, 681396

15

Charles, I even got my P1800 Volvo clock working.
Larry J

        Larry J;
    The clock in my '71 P-1800 has been reading 12:00 since 1975 when my

Mom bought the car ;-}
Charles #677556.----- Original Message -----
From: XK120@aol.com

16

Knight

I believe you are correct in that either pushing up on the reset shaft
produces the necessary contact to energize the electro magnet or it
displaces the wheel enough to make contact to start the tic tic. I think
you’ll find that there is no continuity at dead rest.

Rick________________________________________________________________
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17

That’s really the way it is!!
Push forward the splined knob, hold for a second and release.
If needed, repeat.
If you try this with the clock disassembled, you will see the action
gets that necessary contact.
Good luck
Alberto-----Mensaje original-----
De: owner-xk@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-xk@jag-lovers.org]En nombre de
holland-rick@juno.com
Enviado el: Fri, August 30, 2002 2:37 AM
Para: xk@jag-lovers.org
Asunto: Re: [xk] Electric clock

Knight

I believe you are correct in that either pushing up on the reset shaft
produces the necessary contact to energize the electro magnet or it
displaces the wheel enough to make contact to start the tic tic. I think
you’ll find that there is no continuity at dead rest.

Rick

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18

Hi all, 20 years later! My 140 clock keeps excellent time (for a 66 year old mechanical clock) when it is sitting in the garage… when I drive the car it stops and when I park the car it RESTARTS BY ITSELF. I always can determine how long of a drive I took. If I drove for 6 hours I wouldn’t have to reset it. I tested the circuit at the clock while driving (12.2-13.6v) consistently. Anyone out there run into a problem like this?

19

I have had the opposite occur. I had my clock rebuilt by Mike Eck at Jaguar Clock and occasionally over the years it has stopped, however, if I can’t get it going by pressing in the knurled knob it invariably starts the minute I drive the car.

Chris.

20

These clocks seem to have a mind of their own. I do know there is a flat copper contact that is mounted to the rear plate of the assembly which is where the spring loaded stem for setting the hands mounts, when you push up on the knob to engage the gears to set the hands at the same time it presses on the contact which momentarily grounds the coil to initiate movement of the balance wheel. This of course is on the XK140 style bottom mounted stem.
I also had Mike do the circuit board and it has run and kept time except when I drive the car. I can’t seem to figure out if it is vibration or lateral forces affecting the works which are most likely a little worn after 66 years. But when I park the car it does restart on its own.

| CP120
June 21 |

  • | - |

I have had the opposite occur. I had my clock rebuilt by Mike Eck at Jaguar Clock and occasionally over the years it has stopped, however, if I can’t get it going by pressing in the knurled knob it invariably starts the minute I drive the car.

Chris.