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BASIC WORKINGS OF A LONGCASE CLOCK view
instructional diagram
Each clock has an eight day weight driven movement which means
the clock will keep running for approximately eight days without
winding. The movement controls the hour strike, time keeping
and chime. The weights and pendulum are important components
to the workings of the clock movement. The pendulum provides
the ability to regulate and adjust the time keeping. The three
weights provide power to the hour strike (left), time (centre),
and chime (right). Without weights the clock would not operate.
Each weight is different and should be correctly hung to ensure
proper operation. The strike and chime sounds are made by
a series of hammers hitting various length rods, each rod
making a different sound. Different melodies are achieved
by the sequence each hammer hits a rod.
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UNPACKING YOUR CLOCK
Take the clock out of the packing case and stand it firmly
and evenly in its final position so that it will not fall
over, making sure it is level from side to side and front
to back. If it is not level, the clock may not work properly.
Remove the set of three weights and the pendulum from the
bottom of the packing case and unwrap the weights. The keys
to the doors of the clock are attached to the packaging of
the weights.
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SETTING UP YOUR CLOCK
Access to the clock movement, chimes and cables is made in
two possible ways: through the panels in the hood by lifting
and pulling them towards you slightly (Oak clocks) or, removing
the top of the clock by sliding the hood (top part of the
clock) gently forwards so that it clears the body of the clock
(Mahogany clocks). Rest this somewhere safe. By removing the
panels or hood you get a clear view of the clock movement.
Remove the packaging from between the chime hammers to allow
the hammers to hit against the chime rods. The chime rods
are held together whilst in transit and should be released
. Remove the packaging carefully, making sure the rods are
not touching each other. The chains are tied together and
put in bags for transit purposes and these bags should be
removed to allow the chains to hang freely.
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HANGING THE PENDULUM
The pendulum will be packed in cardboard and/or polystyrene
and this should be removed carefully. Some pendulums have
a protective plastic film covering the disc, this should be
removed before hanging the pendulum. The pendulum should be
hung onto the pendulum guide (Fig 3) by hooking it firmly
in place and letting it hang straight down.
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HANGING THE WEIGHTS
All the clocks have three weights which provide the power
to the hour strike (left weight), time (centre weight), and
chime melody (right weight). To hang the weights on the chains,
make sure the 'heavy' weight (the one with the eye) is hanging
on the right hand side as you face the clock. The other two
weights have hooks at the top and these should be hung onto
the 'eyes' (Fig 4) at the ends of the chains. Pull the weights
towards the top of the case by pulling straight down on the
chain hanging beside the weight. On cable driven clocks, make
sure the cable is in the cable pulley and hang the weights
on the pulley. These weights are marked on the bottom of each
weight with R (right), M (middle), and L (left). These weights
should be raised by using the winding key provided, inserting
it into the holes on the front of the dial and turning anti-clockwise.
When winding both the chain and key wound movements do not
use your hands to lift the weights.
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STARTING THE CLOCK
Open the door of the clock, place your hand on the side of
the pendulum disc, move it to the far left and release. After
a few minutes the pendulum will settle into an even swing.
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WINDING THE CLOCK
The clock is wound by the method of pulling down on each of
the three loose chains to raise the weights to the top of
the trunk. The weights will gradually work their way down
over an eight day period, but as they are visually attractive
as well as functional, we suggest the clock be wound every
four or five days to allow the weights to be visible through
the glass door. The larger Oak clocks are again weight driven
by means of pulleys and are wound by means of turning the
key anti-clockwise in the three holes on the dial. When winding
both the chain and key wound movements do not use your hands
to lift the weights.
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SETTING THE MOON DIAL
If your clock has a moon dial, set it by taking off the hood
or side panels and, using your forefinger on the teeth of
the moon dial, rotate it clockwise until the moon is directly
below '15' (full moon). Using a calendar or almanac count
the number of days past the last full moon. Turn the moon
dial clockwise one click for every day past the full moon.
The moon dial is now set and will run for as long as the clock
keeps working. If the clock stops for more than 24 hours the
moon dial will stop and will have to be re-set again once
the clock is started. If there is any resistance at all when
attempting to set the moon dial do not force it but wait for
a couple of hours then try again. Replace the hood or side
panels.
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SETTING THE TIME
Move only the minute hand backwards until the hour and minute
hand are at the correct time. Do not move the hour hand when
setting the time as the hour hand will automatically follow
when the minute hand is turned. By moving the hand backwards
it is not necessary to stop and wait for the clock to chime
each quarter. After the time has been set sometimes you have
to wait for a couple of hours for the clock to rectify itself
before it chimes properly.
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ALTERING THE TIME
If the time needs to be altered, move the minute hand only
to the correct time. If you move it forward, wait for each
chime sequence. If the clock is gaining or losing time, the
small nut at the base of the pendulum disc can be adjusted
(Fig 2). When moving this nut, make sure the disc (large brass
'plate') moves up or down with the nut.
Losing time - turn the screw upwards (to the right).
Gaining time - turn the screw downwards (to the left).
Set the clock to the correct time and, after forty eight hours,
check to see its accuracy, adjust the pendulum nut up or down.
One complete turn equals approximately one minute. If the
clock is still gaining or losing reset the minute hand to
the correct time and adjust the pendulum nut either up or
down. Set the correct time and check your clock again during
a forty eight hour period. Achieving the correct time may
take a few days.
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NIGHT SILENCE
All clocks (except the Granddaughter) have an automatic night
silence fitted which will automatically silence the chimes
and hour strike between the hours of approx. 10.00pm and 7.00am.
The lever to select this option is the small lever located
inside the hood on the right hand side behind the dial next
to the larger chime selection lever - up for 'night silent'
down for 'strike'. If your clock stays silent between 10.00am
and 7.00pm in the day it means the clock is 12 hours out,
turn the chimes off and move the hands forward twelve hours
to the correct time and re-set the 'night silent' and turn
the chimes back on to the chosen melody. On the Model XI Royale
the lever for the night silence is on the right-hand side
of the dial (beside the 3). If any of the clocks are manually
switched from 'silent' it will take approximately one hour
for the chimes to rectify themselves. If the clock is in 'silent'
mode, only the centre weight will drop.
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CHOOSING THE CHIMES
All the clocks have a triple chime movement and you have a
choice of Westminster, Whittington or St.Michael, or to have
it completely silent, with the exception of the Grandaughter
which only has a single chime, namely Westminster. The lever
to change the melody is on the right-hand side of the dial
(beside the 3). On the clocks with brass or painted dials
there is a lever located inside the main door on the right
hand side. The positions for the chimes operated by this lever
are "Silent" at the top, and Whittington, St.Michael,
and Westminster at the bottom. Do not move the lever during
the chiming sequence.
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