My Grandmother's Old Clock

[rp2813]

Now this is what's up there:

 

The camera captures the blemish between 10 and 11, but with average kitchen lighting, it's not noticeable.

 

You can't see it in this picture, but there is a viewing hole for the red "reset" flag behind the hour hand.  When the hour hand points to 12, the hole can be seen through the hole in the hour hand, but on either side of 12 it's not visible.

 

The earliest Telechron clocks did have an actual small flag that dropped down whenever power was lost.  Even though it's not a real flag anymore, that's what it's still called. 

 

Flags should drop down freely.  If they don't, just a tiny bit of lube like WD-40 on the pivot point should get them moving again.  Don't spray it.  If you do, it will find its way behind the dial and discolor it.  Apply it with a toothpick or something.

 

When power is lost, gravity pulls the flag down and its red section shows through the hole.  When power is restored and the time adjustment stem is engaged, the flag is automatically re-set, and the white section shows through the hole.  Although the clock will start running when power is restored, until you pull on the adjustment stem the red flag will remain as an indicator that power was lost and the time displayed is incorrect.

 

I do own a some Telechron/GE clocks that don't have flags, but I prefer the ones that do.  

 

Here's a link to the Telechron Clock forum.  There's lots of information on repair and restoration there.

 

 

http://telechron.net/galvanic/

 

[beekeyknee]

Ralph,

Thanks for the tips. I will give it a go and see what happens. If I have problems I will contact you.

Brian

 

[supersuds]

Bumping up this old thread just to say thanks to Ralph for the very clearly explained lightbulb/3-in-1 oil method. It has made a huge difference in my mom's GE kitchen clock, which she got with Green Stamps around 1960. Guess you just can't expect things to last 55 years without some TLC.

It isn't perfectly silent, but but it doesn't sound like a mini cement mixer any more, either!

 

[sarahperdue]

Thanks!

Thanks for the very interesting thread. Ralph, thanks for the detailed rotor info and link to the Telechron site. I oiled the Westinghouse timer that I asked you about really well, and it works fine.

But now, I have a Telechron that needs some help. I'm looking forward to trying your light bulb trick.

Best, Sarah

Oh, and now I want one of these awesome kitchen clocks. I've enjoyed the pictures.

 

[sarahperdue]

Thanks!

Thanks for the very interesting thread. Ralph, thanks for the detailed rotor info and link to the Telechron site. I oiled the Westinghouse timer that I asked you about really well, and it works fine.

But now, I have a Telechron that needs some help. I'm looking forward to trying your light bulb trick.

Best, Sarah

Oh, and now I want one of these awesome kitchen clocks. I've enjoyed the pictures.