FAQ clock questions

1. What do I do with my clock when daylight savings time ends?

• It is best to stop the pendulum for one hour and then start the clock then.

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2. I went away for the weekend and the weights were on the floor.  I pulled the chains back up and started the clock but the time is way off.  What do I do?

• Move the the minute hand slowly forward toward the hour or the half hour depending on when it stopped.  Just before  you get to the half hour or hour, you will hear a "clunk", this is normal.  It means that the movement is "at warning" and ready to strike.  Proceed to the hour (or half hour) and let the clock cuckoo.  If your clock has music, wait for the tune to completes.  Continue this process until you reach the correct time. 
• Note:  you can also remove the pendulum from the clock and give the pendulum hanger a push to get it started.  Without the weight of the pendulum, the clock will run very fast.  When your clock reaches the correct time, put the pendulum back on the clock.

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3. My clock runs for a while then it stops, what causes this?

• Is your clock hanging straight and level on the wall?
• Is  your clock mounted above a heat register?
• Is your clock in the vicinity of a ceiling fan or open window that could cause a draft?
• Believe it or not, some clocks need to be "adjusted" on the wall to keep ticking.  If your clock looks straight and level, but does not want to run, try tilting the cottage a little to the left and listen for a steady "heartbeat".  If it stops running, move it a little to the right, until you hear a steady "tick - tock."  This may cure your problem.
• If you have checked all of the above, your clock could just need a good cleaning a lubrication.

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4. I can't seem to get the time adjusted, what can I do? 

• Moving the flower on the pendulum upwards will speed up the movement.  Moving the flower down will slow it down.  When you make this adjustment, you much move the flower just 1/8" at a time.  Wait for 24 yours before making another adjustment.  Moving the flower up or down by great amounts will only confuse you and the clock.

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5. I moved my clock to another room and now it won't run for as long as where I had it.  What do I do?

• Do you have the clock high enough on the wall?  A typical clock should be hung 6' 0" to the center of the dial to allow for the weights to run the clock for a 24 hour day or approximately 8 days if it is an 8 day movement.

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6.  The music box in my clock seems to be running slower than before.  What causes this?

• A music box, just like the clock movement, gets dirty and needs cleaning to operate properly.

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7.  Are there any things I should absolutely never to to my clock?

• NEVER - NEVER ...  
• ... turn the hands without the clock running!
• ...turn the hands counterclockwise!
• ... pull up the chains while the clock is cuckooing or playing music!

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