Clock replacement options...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 24
From: Kansas City KS
Clock replacement options...
So today I finally got time to sit down and work through my battery drain issue, figured out that it's the clock most likely causing the issue (40 ma draw...removing the clock/lighter fuse causes the draw to go to 0. I've read that's way above normal for the clock, and that it may be using more sometimes). The car didn't originally have this issue, I think it may have occurred when I replaced the radio, as it seems like the draw and radio install happened at the same time. In any case, I'm looking at options...it appears like I could get a quartz clock or repair the old one, any other options? Factory originality isn't that big of a deal, my car doesn't have most of it's original parts already. Quartz appears to be the best option probably for reliability and battery draw? Thanks
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Springfield Missouri
Many opt to trade the clock out for another gauge of some kind. Most people wear a watch or have a clock on their phone, and since most aftermarket radios have a clock in them it's somewhat redundant to have one in the car. On the other hand, it does take away from the aesthetics of the car.
Personally, I'd convert the existing clock to quartz. Replacing it with an entirely new quartz clock would leave it looking a lot newer than the other gauges: it'd be out of place. Better to preserve the aesthetic and convert the one you have; usually cheaper too.
Personally, I'd convert the existing clock to quartz. Replacing it with an entirely new quartz clock would leave it looking a lot newer than the other gauges: it'd be out of place. Better to preserve the aesthetic and convert the one you have; usually cheaper too.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 708
Likes: 21
From: Montrose CA
Quartz for me... be careful aligning the hour hand when going back together... i missed it by negative 10-minuets.
So today I finally got time to sit down and work through my battery drain issue, figured out that it's the clock most likely causing the issue (40 ma draw...removing the clock/lighter fuse causes the draw to go to 0. I've read that's way above normal for the clock, and that it may be using more sometimes). The car didn't originally have this issue, I think it may have occurred when I replaced the radio, as it seems like the draw and radio install happened at the same time. In any case, I'm looking at options...it appears like I could get a quartz clock or repair the old one, any other options? Factory originality isn't that big of a deal, my car doesn't have most of it's original parts already. Quartz appears to be the best option probably for reliability and battery draw? Thanks
Last edited by Carl in LA; Jan 31, 2015 at 10:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Modern radios with electronic presets require power all the time so they don't lose the preset channels. Did you by any chance wire the "always on" wire to the cigarette lighter circuit? The radio may be your draw.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 24
From: Kansas City KS
No, it's wired directly to the battery...it didn't seem to have any major effect on the usage during my testing (10 ma or less, except at initial power where it spikes).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I believe the original factory clock should draw power only when the winding mechanism is tripped. Did you try disconnecting the clock to confirm it's the culprit? Does the clock still work or is it stuck? If it's stuck there may be a problem with the clock where the winder is hung up (best as I can describe it).
I'd verify the current drain is gone with just the clock disconnected unless you were having issues with the clock before.
I'd verify the current drain is gone with just the clock disconnected unless you were having issues with the clock before.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 24
From: Kansas City KS
I'm sure that's what's happening (clock doesn't work, just the seconds hand rotating), but there isn't really any way to fix that, correct (well without going down this same road again sometime down the road). It sounds like going quartz is the best option overall for reliability and current draw, after seeing all the other options posted.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: West Melbourne Florida
Where did you purchase the new clock?
My clock face is faded a lot more than the other gauges in my 69, and the clock doesn't work to boot
I'd like to keep things original as much as possible, so I can get the mechanics re-done, but I'm still faced with, well, a faded face. Doh!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The stock clock is an electro-mechanical unit. It has a balance wheel like a normal clock; but it is rewound every 2 minutes when two contacts come together and fire a solenoid to re-stretch the rewind spring.
The most common failure of that clock is that the contacts get burnt from MANY repeat cycles. When that happens, it unwinds, but when the contacts come together, the crud on them prevents enough current to fire the solenoid. But, it still has some constant amount of drain from the partially-powered solenoid.
The fix is to replace the clock with another stock unit...and then again in another 5 years. Or, replace it with a quartz unit that will run for a LONG time. The quartz clock will still have some amount of drain on it, but it will be just a fraction of what the failed clock is drawing.
If the car sits for long periods of time, either put a disconnect switch on the battery or hook-up a trickle charger to keep the battery fully charged.
The most common failure of that clock is that the contacts get burnt from MANY repeat cycles. When that happens, it unwinds, but when the contacts come together, the crud on them prevents enough current to fire the solenoid. But, it still has some constant amount of drain from the partially-powered solenoid.
The fix is to replace the clock with another stock unit...and then again in another 5 years. Or, replace it with a quartz unit that will run for a LONG time. The quartz clock will still have some amount of drain on it, but it will be just a fraction of what the failed clock is drawing.
If the car sits for long periods of time, either put a disconnect switch on the battery or hook-up a trickle charger to keep the battery fully charged.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Seems to be a popular topic today. 
This video can help anyone restore their clock with a quartz kit.
We did a video on how to quartz convert the clock
This video can help anyone restore their clock with a quartz kit.
We did a video on how to quartz convert the clock
Team Owner
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Burning Brakes
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From: Foothills of the Adirondacks.
Burning Brakes
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From: Foothills of the Adirondacks.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
