4 minor clock problems and easy fixes
It would be a shame for us to give up on a clock, used or new, just because it doesn’t look like it is working properly. Sometimes it only requires a simple, quick fix, which anyone can handle.
We are sharing with you 4 of the most common minor problems and their solutions. Please also check our FAQ page, which has answers to more questions you may have.
1) The clock is running slow or not running at all.
There are a few things that you can check.
- Certain clocks have hanging parts that may not work properly if the clock is not hung straight against the wall. Check that your clock is hung upright at a vertical angle especially if the clock has a pendulum.
- Check that the tiny cap in the centre of the dial is only softly pressed in, not too hard or too deep, which would impede the smooth running of the hands. Gently lift the cap to remove it. Place it back softly. Test that it is not too tightly pressed by lifting it up and putting it back again.
- Are your batteries nearly used up? If so, change them. Consider the more sustainable and cost-effective option of rechargeable batteries. NeXtime offers USB-rechargeable batteries that can be recharged up to 2,000 times. It can be charged at any USB port, which gives you greater convenience.
2) The clock hands are loose, dangling or not turning.
If your clock is designed without a glass cover, the hands are exposed to external tampering and it is more likely for the hands to go loose and dangling. It could also be caused by the jiggles during the shipment and unpacking processes.
To fix it, gently remove the tiny cap at the centre of the clock dial. Then remove the hands one by one – first the minute hand, then the hour hand. If there is a second hand, remove that first from the dial.
Check to see if there’s any dirt or dust gathered in the shaft of the movement. If so, use a piece of dry cloth to gently clean it before you put the hands back. Do not use wet cloth.
Put the hands back one by one – first the hour hand, then the minute hand, and the second hand if there is one, all pointing to twelve. And finally, gently put the tiny cap back.
You can also check our videoto see how it is easily done.
3) The radio-controlled clock is not showing the correct time.
A radio-controlled clock has a special movement designed to receive compatible radio transmissions to automatically synchronise its time. If the time of your clock is not correct, watch this videoor follow the instructions below:
- Take out the batteries and put them back in. The clock should auto-set back to 12 o-clock. Once it receives the next radio signal, usually within 3-10 minutes, it will synchronise.
- If the hands do not point to 12 after you’ve put the batteries back, at the back of the clock, push the hard reset button down for a few seconds, which should re-set the hands to 12.
- If the above still doesn’t work, take out the batteries, put a pin in the tiny hole at the back of the clock. Then manually move the hands to 12, remove the pin and put the batteries back in. Wait 3-10 minutes and the clock will run at the correct time once it starts to receive radio signals again.
4) My movement is broken and I need to replace it.
If you need to replace your movement completely, make sure you choose one that you want, e.g., silent movements have red wheels and step movements have brown wheels. Check the movementsthat NeXtime offers.
This videowill guide you through the process of replacing the movement. You only need a centre-nut screwdriver or a pair of pointed scissors to help remove and re-assemble the cap, hands, nut, metal ring and rubber ring in the right order.
FAQs
The invention of the mechanical clock revolutionised sea-faring, for instance – since they allowed sailors to estimate their longitude, and in doing so it fuelled the age of discovery and colonialism. It also fuelled advances in astronomy, as stargazers could measure the path of heavenly bodies with greater precision.
How do you fix a pendulum that stops swinging? ›
A pendulum's mechanism might also stop due to dried oil and debris. You can get rid of dust, dirt and visible dried oil by brushing it away with a soft brush. A few drops of oil dabbed in the area can also help in restarting the pendulum, and make it work again.
Is it worth repairing a grandfather clock? ›
Aside from stylish appearance, antique grandfather clocks are worth fixing simply because they can run for a very long time. They do not rely on batteries or electrical power, which can subsequently save a lot of money.
What is the best way to learn clock repair? ›
Few people learn this trade on the job. Instead, the best way to learn watch and clock repairing skills is to attend a school of horology (the art of making and repairing timepieces) that is accredited by the Research and Education Council.
What is clock problems? ›
Clock angle problems relate two different measurements: angles and time. The angle is typically measured in degrees from the mark of number 12 clockwise. The time is usually based on a 12-hour clock. A method to solve such problems is to consider the rate of change of the angle in degrees per minute.
How do you fix a clock that keeps stopping? ›
If the clock won't run for its due period, you're probably not winding it up fully. So simply wind it until you feel the spring come to a definite stop. It is important that it be fully wound once a week (or every day in the case of a 30 hour movement) because of the timekeeping issues mentioned below.
What causes a pendulum to slow down and stop swinging? ›
The swing continues moving back and forth without any extra outside help until friction (between the air and the swing and between the chains and the attachment points) slows it down and eventually stops it. The time it takes a pendulum to swing back to its original position is called the period of the pendulum.
Is it OK to lay a grandfather clock down? ›
It's possible to move it his way, but it's generally not advised because laying the clock down horizontally adds pressure to the panels and glass elements. While newer grandfather clocks have a smaller chance of being damaged being transported horizontally, antique clocks are more susceptible to damage.
Is it OK to move the hour hand on a grandfather clock? ›
Only ever turn the minute hand. Never attempt to turn the hour hand of your clock. Contact a horological conservator for advice on hand setting or if you encounter unexpected resistance when trying to move a clock hand.
How do I get my old clock to work again? ›
I typically clean these old movements by first removing the movement from the housing, shooting some WD-40 around all moving parts (to blast away grit and solidified oil), then lightly oiling it with a very fine machine oil (such as sewing machine oil).
Alternative titles for this job include Horologist, clock maker. Watch and clock repairers fix, service and restore customers' timepieces and those held in collections.
How did the clock help the world? ›
Timekeeping and clocks have shaped civilizations by providing a means to organize, coordinate, and plan activities. They have allowed societies to measure and track time accurately, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
What problem did the water clock solve? ›
The water clock solved the sundial's issues, presenting a much more accurate and uninterrupted way of keeping time. The water clock's mechanics were nothing short of brilliant. Early on, there were typically two types: outflow and inflow. An outflow water clock uses a container that has markings on the inside.
What was the purpose of the clock? ›
A clock is a device used to measure, verify, keep, and indicate time. The clock is one of the oldest human inventions, meeting the need to measure intervals of time shorter than the natural units: the day, the lunar month, and the year. Devices operating on several physical processes have been used over the millennia.
How did clocks solve the longitude problem? ›
John Harrison, a working class clock maker form Yorkshire, solved the problem of longitude by inventing a timepiece that could tell the right time at sea. His chronometer, H4, built in 1759 after years of experimentation, was the first marine timekeeper accurate enough to be used with confidence.
