Smiths clock upgrade

[xb-60]

Anybody know if there is an 'accepted' conversion of a Smiths clock to quartz movement?
I have heard how unreliable they are, so I'd like to upgrade it if easily achievable (inspired by caccobra's upgrade of his Galaxy clock)

Cheers!
Glen

[LMH]

I had one of my Ford clocks reworked with a modern quartz drive. Movement is slightly different but all the antique internals are gone. Looks the same otherwise.
I don’t know much about what it has internally though. I didn’t do it myself, I had a shop do it.
Larry

[1985 CCX]

My clock is right twice a day!
Actually my old clock works great except I kill the battery when not driving so it has limits.

I like the remake the old concept.....

[desgros@vtlink.]

Mostly my clock works well which in part is because I use a battery tender when not driving the Slabside. A modern quarts clock would be better.

John
ERA #3010 Slabside 289 BRG

[jolsen42]

I had mine converted to quartz and it works perfectly. There is no reason that you couldn't do the same.



John O

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by LMH

I had one of my Ford clocks reworked with a modern quartz drive. Movement is slightly different but all the antique internals are gone. Looks the same otherwise.
I don’t know much about what it has internally though. I didn’t do it myself, I had a shop do it.
Larry

Looks like I can assume that it doesn't matter whether it's a Ford Galaxie clock or in my case, a Smiths clock, it can be rebuilt with a quartz movement.
Sound correct?

Cheers,
Glen

[LMH]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Looks like I can assume that it doesn't matter whether it's a Ford Galaxie clock or in my case, a Smiths clock, it can be rebuilt with a quartz movement.
Sound correct?

Cheers,
Glen

Yes, I would say so. That's how it worked for me and I don't see any reason it wouldn't work in a Smiths case too. It can still retain the Smiths look but have a modern drive that way.
Larry

[289 Mk111]

Have you tried these
https://www.clocks4classics.com/

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 289 Mk111

Have you tried these
https://www.clocks4classics.com/

Thanks for the link. No, I hadn't tried them...but I definitely will.

This came from their website....

The balance wheel rotates backwards and forwards at a fixed rate of five times per second......a quick calculation shows that the electrical contacts operate over 3 million times a week – or 157 million times a year! Not surprisingly, these contacts eventually fail leaving the clock in a non-working state.


Cheers,
Glen

[GWL]

I just visited the Clocks4classics site and their instructions. Although the conversion looks complicated, the instructions are very detailed and they have lots of videos relating to the different clock conversions.

George

[desgros@vtlink.]

Check out Hemmings Motor News, Clock Repair Section. There are several companies selling kits or will update analog clocks to modern digital.

John
ERA #3010 Slabside 289 BRG

[rsk289]

I think the 'clocks4classics' repair still allows the clock to tick.
That said, I'm happy with my original Smiths clock - it works for a while, then stops for a while... I don't really need to know the time when I'm driving it. I don't think clocks in that period ever worked for long, from what I remember.
Like I usually say, if you want a BMW, buy a BMW...

[Armrer]

Originally Posted by rsk289

I think the 'clocks4classics' repair still allows the clock to tick.
That said, I'm happy with my original Smiths clock - it works for a while, then stops for a while... I don't really need to know the time when I'm driving it. I don't think clocks in that period ever worked for long, from what I remember.
Like I usually say, if you want a BMW, buy a BMW...

So true. I have harvested at least 10-11 Galaxie clocks, every one had a scorched coil. As in inoperative. They died before the Galaxie did, most likely.

I can see these cars being driven in the ‘70’s with a Casio wristwatch duct taped to the dash ... : D

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by rsk289

.... I'm happy with my original Smiths clock - it works for a while, then stops for a while... I don't really need to know the time when I'm driving it. I don't think clocks in that period ever worked for long, from what I remember.
Like I usually say, if you want a BMW, buy a BMW...

Thanks Roger. That adds some perspective that I couldn't appreciate fully previously.
Not really necessary to pay GBP66 plus postage to Aus. when I would hardly ever use the clock.

As Jeff said...

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

My clock is right twice a day!....

Cheers,
Glen