Clock Terminals

[Gary Crutchley]

Hi guys, I’m hoping someone can help me with the terminals on the back of my VDO clock please.  It’s out of a ’65 230 SL and is gaining time – so I’d like to bench run it and adjust it as per the technical manual.

My problem is that I don’t know which are the positive and negative terminals.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

(I have a distinct feeling that sometime in the near future I may be asking if anyone knows of a reliable instrument repairer who can replace the innards with a quartz movement in Melbourne Aus - so any advance answer to this would also be greatly appreciated.)

cheers

[enochbell]

This might help:
https://www.google.com/search?q=pagoda+w113+clock&espv=2&biw=1496&bih=775&tbm=isch&imgil=r2jB1Cn_UuEUoM%253A%253BCrW65YR9z6b6iM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fitm%25252FNew-clock-for-230sl-250sl-280sl-w113-113-pagoda-W100-600-limo-%25252F281801437247&source=iu&pf=m&fir=r2jB1Cn_UuEUoM%253A%252CCrW65YR9z6b6iM%252C_&usg=__2bdPDjnqzqmGSTSCVSml6GuMnfQ%3D&dpr=0.9&ved=0ahUKEwjts4-N-eLLAhXFOSYKHYU4ApgQyjcIJw&ei=Ben4Vq2dLcXzmAGF8YjACQ#imgrc=RCJMbcv5vQB_tM%3A

Now, that said, my opinion is that replacing the clock with a quartz movement is sort of like swapping the mechanical FIP for EFI.  Sure, the clock is not very accurate and it has none of the compensators modern mechanical clocks have (temp. and barometric pressure variations).  But it is a marvelous piece of electro mechanical art that adds a lot to the character of the car.  Just my $.02.
g

[WRe]

Hi,
see att. picture.
...WRe

[Gary Crutchley]

Thanks for your help guys. With your (expert) assistance I'll now bench run it and fiddle with the adjustment screw (knowing it will take at least a week to get somewhere near accurate - if at all).  Thanks again and I'll let you know how it goes. Cheers

[pj]

Garry
did you have any difficulty pulling the back cover off your clock? In a separate thread, I posted a note about one of the connectors getting caught somehow and I don't want to pull so hard that I break something.

[Gary Crutchley]

Hi pj, no problems at all with removing the multi-connector.  It's a fiddly job but did present any problems.  (I still haven't bench run the clock - will commence this weekend).  cheers

[Gary Crutchley]

Hi guys,

I've set the clock up by connecting to two six volt batteries in series and all seems good.  The clock is merrily ticking away and I'm hearing the famous clunk.  What is the clunk?  And I'm hearing it every 32 seconds! Does this seem right?  Many thanks.

[Tyler S]

Gary, The thunk is actually the electric motor winding the clock! There is a mechanical winding spring just like a wristwatch. The entire clock is mechanical with the exception of the electric motor. They all vary in the time between windings. If you removed power you would see the clock actually still keeps time for several minutes.

[enochbell]

There is an excellent writeup in the technical manual.  The movement is entirely mechanical except for an electromagnet that is actuated every few minutes when the spring winds down.  The electro magnet rewinds the spring, and that is what makes the familiar "clack" sound.  The clock was made by Borg, which also supplied timepieces for many other car manufacturers in the mid 20th century.

Best,
g

[beckpm]

Is there an easy way to disconnect the clock so it does not run down the battery when the car is not used for a long time?   Thanks

[Tyler S]

If the car is sitting for long periods you should disconnect the battery anyways.
Or get a battery disconnect switch.
You could always unplug the clock but its a hassle as the glovebox needs to be removed. The clock winding mech does not draw very much current.

[hkollan]

As Tyler says if your car sits unused for longer periods disconnecting the battery
is a good idea for several reasons. In addition to a battery disconnect switch
I use a battery maintenance charger whenever a car sits for a while.
In addition to always having a fully charged battery, it will also probably
extend battery-life.

Hans