Thanks, David. It would take quite a lot of work to make a successful, electro-mechanical master clock. They were developed over decades from the start of the 20th century by numerous manufacturers. Some are much easier to copy than others. Try watching the various Synchronome videos. Synchronome master clocks were very popular projects with amateur clock makers, being much simpler in design.
To Tommy Wylie..Yes,. Up to point... if the battery voltage is in excess of that needed for the currently installed number of dials the possibility of some extra dials can be accommodated by adjusting the rheostat which is also in the series circuit. To Trickylist, The Gents mechanism for tower clocks was powered by a motor of sufficient power to drive the heavy hands. It was set to run slightly fast and was halted every 30 seconds and waited for the release pulse from the Gents C7. Google Gent's "waiting train" for the whole story. Sorry this is a couple of years late :-)
Hi ip Thanks. Better late than never. ;) The actual voltage is almost accidental until it becomes too high for the master clock contacts, bare metal components and wiring to manage safely. The entire system was then split into smaller clock groups via relays. The manufacturers provided attractive cases with numerous monitoring dials for the largest relay systems used in very large buildings or at scattered sites. As you say, the rheostat can adjust the primary impulse circuit to suit the manufacturers' exact specifications. A rheostat was also provided for each clock sub-circuit to bring each circuit to the optimum current. I have posted several videos of the Gents' Waiting Train and also have a heavily illustrated blog on on the subject. The "motor" you refer to was a motor pendulum. The period between WT hand drive pauses was usually about 27-28 seconds. If it were a full 30 seconds then the WT would constantly lose time. The WT's drive to the clock hands was restarted precisely by the next incoming time impulse from the master clock precisely on the half minute. Providing levels of timekeeping accuracy previously unheard of in turret clock practice.Though your own description is certainly apt enough. :)
Sorry I missed your comment Tommy. You are correct. Though we don't actually measure the voltage. We measure the Amperage in the series circuit.This is usually set to about 0.25A. Or 250mA. The advantage of series connection is reliability. The master clock cannot reset itself until all the dials have moved forwards by 1/2 a minute. This gives the clock watcher a warning when things go wrong and no slave clock (in theory) can show the wrong time.
I think the pad above the gravity arm is worn out - the noise and vibration gives it away. The arm cuts a grove into the pad. I have fixed a small piece of leather with double sided tape to solve this problem. It will sound so much better if you can do something like this. - Steve (no expert)
Hi Clive I am afraid I have forgotten the date this was made. I'd have to guess at 1950s. I know it is a later example. Again from failing memory I think the cases were made from afrormosia.
No. This is a master clock in its own right. It produces a short DC electrical impulse every half minute. This impulse is used to trigger actions along a series wired circuit. Such as slave clock dials, timers, etc.
Yes. Depending entirely on make, age, condition and any special interest details they fetch from (say) £120 to several hundred pounds, or even more, on eBay. Was there another clock or other mechanism to drive the hands of the big tower clock dials? Those fetch a great deal more than most master clocks. Highly collectible! ;-)
Not directly! That might start a fire! You just need a DC power supply. A 12V DC plug-in PS should be fine. You can adjust the amperage in the circuit with the sliding resistance [rheostat] to 220mA. Or adjust it to suit the noise level you can tolerate.
I'm surprised and puzzled that slave clocks are all connected in series. Does this mean every time you add more slave dials you also have to increase the voltage?
Thanks for posting this. I'm considering building something like this myself so It was really helpful to see the mechanism in HD.
Thanks, David. It would take quite a lot of work to make a successful, electro-mechanical master clock.
They were developed over decades from the start of the 20th century by numerous manufacturers.
Some are much easier to copy than others. Try watching the various Synchronome videos.
Synchronome master clocks were very popular projects with amateur clock makers, being much simpler in design.
I have this C7 model Gents of Leicester plain but lovely sturdy case
Gents of Leicester @ 1951 agba case fine grained solid well made
Hi Steve,
An interesting suggestion. Something I have never even considered. I shall certainly look into it. Thanks, Chris.
To Tommy Wylie..Yes,. Up to point... if the battery voltage is in excess of that needed for the currently installed number of dials the possibility of some extra dials can be accommodated by adjusting the rheostat which is also in the series circuit.
To Trickylist, The Gents mechanism for tower clocks was powered by a motor of sufficient power to drive the heavy hands. It was set to run slightly fast and was halted every 30 seconds and waited for the release pulse from the Gents C7. Google Gent's "waiting train" for the whole story.
Sorry this is a couple of years late :-)
Hi ip
Thanks. Better late than never. ;)
The actual voltage is almost accidental until it becomes too high for the master clock contacts, bare metal components and wiring to manage safely. The entire system was then split into smaller clock groups via relays. The manufacturers provided attractive cases with numerous monitoring dials for the largest relay systems used in very large buildings or at scattered sites. As you say, the rheostat can adjust the primary impulse circuit to suit the manufacturers' exact specifications. A rheostat was also provided for each clock sub-circuit to bring each circuit to the optimum current.
I have posted several videos of the Gents' Waiting Train and also have a heavily illustrated blog on on the subject. The "motor" you refer to was a motor pendulum. The period between WT hand drive pauses was usually about 27-28 seconds. If it were a full 30 seconds then the WT would constantly lose time. The WT's drive to the clock hands was restarted precisely by the next incoming time impulse from the master clock precisely on the half minute. Providing levels of timekeeping accuracy previously unheard of in turret clock practice.Though your own description is certainly apt enough. :)
Sorry I missed your comment Tommy. You are correct. Though we don't actually measure the voltage. We measure the Amperage in the series circuit.This is usually set to about 0.25A. Or 250mA. The advantage of series connection is reliability. The master clock cannot reset itself until all the dials have moved forwards by 1/2 a minute. This gives the clock watcher a warning when things go wrong and no slave clock (in theory) can show the wrong time.
I think the pad above the gravity arm is worn out - the noise and vibration gives it away. The arm cuts a grove into the pad. I have fixed a small piece of leather with double sided tape to solve this problem. It will sound so much better if you can do something like this. - Steve (no expert)
I made a replica mechanism inspiring myself from the video above. And to my surprise, it works. Too bad you can't post images in youtube's comments...
You can always post a video on TH-cam... ?
Is this C7 1951 or 1954 and I think the wood is Agba from S america close grain ?
Which year was this produced patented and are the vases teak
Hi Clive I am afraid I have forgotten the date this was made. I'd have to guess at 1950s. I know it is a later example. Again from failing memory I think the cases were made from afrormosia.
does this clock have a way to synchronize itself with another, bigger master clock? if yes, then how does it do it?
No. This is a master clock in its own right. It produces a short DC electrical impulse every half minute. This impulse is used to trigger actions along a series wired circuit. Such as slave clock dials, timers, etc.
Yes. Depending entirely on make, age, condition and any special interest details they fetch from (say) £120 to several hundred pounds, or even more, on eBay. Was there another clock or other mechanism to drive the hands of the big tower clock dials? Those fetch a great deal more than most master clocks. Highly collectible! ;-)
I have just acquired one of these clocks, can I run it straight of 240v?
Not directly! That might start a fire! You just need a DC power supply. A 12V DC plug-in PS should be fine. You can adjust the amperage in the circuit with the sliding resistance [rheostat] to 220mA. Or adjust it to suit the noise level you can tolerate.
I'm surprised and puzzled that slave clocks are all connected in series. Does this mean every time you add more slave dials you also have to increase the voltage?
Are these clocks worth anything today?. Managed to get my hands on one when cleaning out a building with clock tower.
what is the pendulum length and weight?
A little over one meter long so that it beats in seconds. I can't remember the weight of the pendulum bob. Perhaps 10lbs?
I have Pulsyntic clock and i want to fix it
Play music
What's the problem with it?
me my'' home No waking