Electric clock questions

[fan-of-fans]

I have two electric clocks I'm wondering about. The first is a Sunbeam mantle clock. It's brown woodgrained plastic. I'd say it's from the 1980s or maybe 70s. It used to work but I haven't used it in years because it just makes a sound like ruh-ruh-ruh-ruh and the time doesn't change. If I turn the knob manually it does chime when it reaches hour and half hour. Is it serviceable like possibly just needs oiling?

The other is a little GE alarm clock from I'd say 1960s. This one seems to keep good time but its supposed to have a lighted dial and the face doesn't light. Does this use a neon bulb that can be replaced?

Also I see it has a small hand for the alarm but did these just go off at hour intervals? It will sound the alarm if I set it at 8:00 for example and set the alarm hand to 8. So could you set it for say 8:30 or 8:35?

 

[lordkenmore]

It will sound the alarm if I set it at 8:00 for example and set the alarm hand to 8. So could you set it for say 8:30 or 8:35?

 

You can set it to (roughly) any time you want between hours. But, of course, by the nature of the design, it won't be super accurate "down to the minute" that we take for granted with digital clocks. You are probably doing well if you get +/- 10 minutes...

 

[panthera]

Yes,

A standard little neon bulb. GE made a big deal out of that plastic diffuser back in the day - interesting reading. You can replace the bulb (better do the resistor, too) easily.

As to the SUNBEAM, I've seen them. They're really poorly built. I was able to fix one for a friend who valued it as a remembrance from her grandmother's house. Took two donor clocks and a lot of JB Weld and careful Dremel work on a pawl.

Pity, there were kinda cute. But absolutely awful build quality, even for that era.