50 Chrysler Windsor dash clock

[dberkham]

To fix or not to fix? That is the question. I have been told if I fix it my battery will be drained because of it. True or not? I'm spending some big bucks to get the radio restored and would like everything to work but don't want to deal with a dead 6 volt battery all the time. Electrical geniuses out there- please chime in with opinions. Thanks.

David

[JACK M]

Maybe a delet plate would look good if there is such a thing for that car.

[dberkham]

Thanks Jack. I know they make delete panels for the radio. Not sure about the clock. However, I do want to keep the clock regardless of whether it works or not. Thanks for the reply.

[skyler]

car clocks wind themslves every so often, but i do not know the time interval on that. they only use battery power when they wind and run on a spring when in between windings.for the clock to drain the battery the car would have to sit for many weeks if not months. the clocks usually have an inline fuse holder, so if you wire it to where that is easy to get at you can pull the fuse when the car will sit for a while. i know a little about these old car clocks as my grandfather was a watchmaker and he fixed these clocks for alot of the car dealers in his town. they are cheaply made movements and wear out and do not keep good time anyway, at least the mechanical ones like yours. if you can convert to quartz and keep the original face you will be happier and even though it costs more the result is much better. my 54 windsor has a delete plate where the clock would go. skyler

[dberkham]

I had the clock pulled and it is made by Jaeger. From what I have been able to learn, Jaeger was a step above some of the other car clocks of the era. Probably still not that accurate but still a good mechanism for its time. Now if I have the guts to take it apart! From the descriptions I've read, this thing is complicated. If anyone can point me to a good tutorial I'd really appreciate it. Thanks skylar for your input.

David

[28 Chrysler]

If I remember right the main problem with these clocks is the automatic winder.

There is a wire that flexes when it winds and often broke, or sometimes the contact just get dirty

[dberkham]

I'm sending the clock off to Clockworks.com tomorrow. He'll repair it for around $85. Turn around time is 24 hrs. He will totally refurb it. Warranty will be for one year. Good deal I think.