Sent of a few queries for the clock and radio yesterday. Got back the following responses for the clock issue. Clockworks seems very very cheap. Has anyone else used them before. Almost to good to be true?
Have now had my clock running for over 24 hours and the problem has improved somewhat. Its winding every 20 second up from 5 when I started it. Nowhere the 4 minutes it should be though.
Also got a response back from Becker US. I asked if they would help out by identifying the component burnt out and just send me a replacement. That went down like a cup of cold vomit and I was quickly told that my only option was a complete replacement at 250US. Got my heckles up a bit as I do have a lot of experience with electronic and know actually how simple this old amplifier is. I am sure that they would have seen this identical problem dozens and dozens of times and been able, with a reasonable degree of certainty, to suggest a sensible component replacement schedule.
Just seems crazy to send the unit around the world to have a 5cent component replaced. Guess at the end of the day they are a business after all.
Only other option is to buy the circuit diagram myself. They are available online for 20 euro.
Clockworks Info (info@clockwks.com)
5/02/2014
To: Andrew Burns
Picture of Clockworks Info
Andrew,
Your original clock movement can be serviced for the flat rate of $89.95 plus return shipping. This includes disassembly of the movement, replacement of any worn or distorted parts, oiling and calibration. We only ask that the clock be complete, fully assembled and the movement serviceable. Turnaround time is usually 24 hours and the warranty is 1 year.
We do not offer a quartz conversion on VDO clocks.
Wisconsin residents must add 5.5% sales tax to the price of parts and service.
Return shipping within the US is $13.
You can pack your clock up and ship it by UPS, Fed-X, US mail, or any means convenient to you. You can enclose a check or money order, bill the service to MC/Visa/Discover, or we can email a Paypal invoice once the work is done. For the quickest service possible, please include a copy of this e-mail with your clock.
Kind regards,
Jerry
P.S. If you would like the opportunity to see your car featured on our "Clock Works Car of The Month" web page we would like to see it! Send along a photo or two and a short description of your car. Let us know if you would like your photo(s) returned. Or you can e-mail them to info@clockwks.com
Clock Works
1745 Meta Lakes Rd.
Eagle River, WI 54521
Phone: 715-479-5759
WWW.CLOCKWKS.COM
Hartmut Mees (hartmut@paspeedo.com)
5/02/2014
To: 'Andrew Burns'
Picture of Hartmut Mees
We have two options for you. We can repair the original electro-mechanical mechanism, or we can rebuild the clock to quartz with a new VDO mechanism. The cost for the original repair is approximately $289.00, and rebuild to quartz is $245.00 + shipping. If you want the chrome bezel replaced, this will cost $21.00, and a new plastic lens will cost 18.00. As a part of the service we will clean/polish the old bezel/lens. All of our work comes with a 2 year warranty, however the original mechanisms are very susceptible to low voltage. The turn around time for a repair such as this is abut 2 to 3 weeks. If you decide to send us your clock, please be sure to attach a short note or a copy of this email.