Working Clock / Battery
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 234
Likes: 57
Working Clock / Battery
I have a working clock at the moment and thinking about disconnecting the battery since I won’t be driving it for several weeks. Is it better to leave a working clock running or will I run into issues if I disconnect the battery and stop the clock. I know the 68-72 clocks can be problematic. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
If you disconnect the battery, the clock will continue to operate on "spring" power for a short time (less than 2 minutes), then stop when the winding solenoid contacts close. Over a few weeks time, the clock should have no problem firing up when the battery is connected.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 410
I recommend buying a battery quick disconnect and PERSONALLY I use the quick disconnect every time I leave the car for more than a few hours, many times I disconnect it while I am at the local Cars and Coffee and it is always disconnected when the car is in a show. IMHO it's cheap insurance for old wiring.
The clocks have issues when the battery power gets so low that it will not trip the auto wind in the clock but still has residual amperage which burns the clock point contacts together after it won't trip the auto wind.
The clocks have issues when the battery power gets so low that it will not trip the auto wind in the clock but still has residual amperage which burns the clock point contacts together after it won't trip the auto wind.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
I took my clock completely apart, cleaned it up and oiled it, and it works great - but I could never get it syncronized to the clock on my stereo and it drove me nuts so I ended up disconnecting it
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
The trick is to set the clock to the correct time at the same time each day for 3 consecutive days. It may only take two days, but 3 is the max required to get it reading correctly.
The owner's manual didn't include that little detail, so folks don't know about it. But, the calibration strategy is that the rate of correction is determined by the amount of error observed in a 24 hour period. So, you have to adjust to correct time at the same time of day for [generally] 3 consecutive days.
Try it......you'll like it....
If you use your battery disconnect regularly, you can limit the 'foolin' around' with the clock by reconnecting the battery at about the same time of day that you shut it down. Do this just before you need to drive it again (which might be several hours after you connect the battery).
The owner's manual didn't include that little detail, so folks don't know about it. But, the calibration strategy is that the rate of correction is determined by the amount of error observed in a 24 hour period. So, you have to adjust to correct time at the same time of day for [generally] 3 consecutive days.
Try it......you'll like it....
If you use your battery disconnect regularly, you can limit the 'foolin' around' with the clock by reconnecting the battery at about the same time of day that you shut it down. Do this just before you need to drive it again (which might be several hours after you connect the battery).
Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 3, 2021 at 12:24 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
The trick is to set the clock to the correct time at the same time each day for 3 consecutive days. It may only take two days, but 3 is the max required to get it reading correctly.
The owner's manual didn't include that little detail, so folks don't know about it. But, the calibration strategy is that the rate of correction is determined by the amount of error observed in a 24 hour period. So, you have to adjust to correct time at the same time of day for [generally] 3 consecutive days.
Try it......you'll like it....
If you use your battery disconnect regularly, you can limit the 'foolin' around' with the clock by reconnecting the battery at about the same time of day that you shut it down. Do this just before you need to drive it again (which might be several hours after you connect the battery).
The owner's manual didn't include that little detail, so folks don't know about it. But, the calibration strategy is that the rate of correction is determined by the amount of error observed in a 24 hour period. So, you have to adjust to correct time at the same time of day for [generally] 3 consecutive days.
Try it......you'll like it....
If you use your battery disconnect regularly, you can limit the 'foolin' around' with the clock by reconnecting the battery at about the same time of day that you shut it down. Do this just before you need to drive it again (which might be several hours after you connect the battery).
On a On a serious note there is an adjustment arm inside inside on the clock mechanism I am surprised at how similar the clocks are for our cars to the 100 + year old mantel clock sitting on my fireplace.
Op why not just get a battery tender?
Last edited by augiedoggy; Aug 3, 2021 at 08:32 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
Last edited by augiedoggy; Aug 3, 2021 at 06:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
To be fair thats kinda the OPs choice to make as a clock running off a separate battery is technically one solution to his concerns. If it were me I'd use a battery tender to keep the battery topped off and happy but if thats not possible id just disconnect the battery and not worry as it wont harm the clock.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Aug 4, 2021 at 08:04 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 103
Likes: 5
From: Barnstble Mass.
Clock Disconnect
I have a working clock at the moment and thinking about disconnecting the battery since I won’t be driving it for several weeks. Is it better to leave a working clock running or will I run into issues if I disconnect the battery and stop the clock. I know the 68-72 clocks can be problematic. Thanks.
Their time setting method was pretty much as stated by 7T1vette below, you need to reset the time in 24 hr. increments to the correct time
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 234
Likes: 57
I recommend buying a battery quick disconnect and PERSONALLY I use the quick disconnect every time I leave the car for more than a few hours, many times I disconnect it while I am at the local Cars and Coffee and it is always disconnected when the car is in a show. IMHO it's cheap insurance for old wiring.
The clocks have issues when the battery power gets so low that it will not trip the auto wind in the clock but still has residual amperage which burns the clock point contacts together after it won't trip the auto wind.
The clocks have issues when the battery power gets so low that it will not trip the auto wind in the clock but still has residual amperage which burns the clock point contacts together after it won't trip the auto wind.
James is this what you are referring to by “quick disconnect”?