Copel Asanuma flip clock, Asanuma & Co Japan

[Mike 00]

Hello, I purchased the Copal flip clock which is mainly plastic, from the US to add to my camera collection, needless to say the clock motor is 120v 60hz. & as you would know here we use 240v 50hz. while the clock looks great without telling the time it would be nice to see it working.

Thinking I’d look for an old Copal 240v clock & swap the motor easily this side of the pond, I was amazed to find flip clocks so sort after. As a collector I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised & already having the collecting bug worried I may have found another item to collect.

I see Copal flip mechanisms used in other makes like Sony etc but have become boggle eye’ed Googling & eBaying trying to find a clock for parts with the right 240v motor.

Any suggestions of what makes/models have the right 240v 5Hz motor would be appreciated, the motor is on the lefthand side looking at the clock, I have the gearbox which is very thin, if a member has a motor they would part with I’d appreciate a heads up.

[flipoclock]

Hi Mike,

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to this forum!

Although I would not buy it myself, I quite like the look and quirkiness of it.

Does the motor have any model or type number on it? There are lots of different copal motors around, which although being different, still look quite the same...

Rgds,

Robert

[Mike 00]

Hi Robert, thanks for the welcome, as they say 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' or in my case as an analogue camera collector, anything to do with old film cameras. Copal of course being first & foremost a camera shutter manufacture. I’m very pleased with my clock but it could look odd on the someone's mantelpiece unless they have a camera or flip clock collection & just have to have one. I’ve been looking for one for ages so guess they're pretty rare.

The motor just has the name Copal Japan & Roman numerals for II on the rotor, with 60Hz AC120v K63 on the gearbox.

The only difference I can see from looking at Copal FC motors on the web & here on FCF is in the depth of the gearboxes & the rotation when fitted on the left or righthand side, though I don't know if rotation maters as most synchronous motors seem to be reversible.

I guess if anyone has a motor & gearbox that look like the image I posted & says AC240v 50Hz it stands a good chance it’s the right one & would part with it, I’d like to buy it.

Thanks for any help in advance, cheers Mike.

[eathan21th]

Maybe you can try to buy a copal flipclock movement from Taobao, from China.

The motor is used for 220V@50Hz.

[flipoclock]

Good link! I spent a half an hour, using google translate, to, I think, place an order for one. Would have loved to buy more, but it seems you can only buy one at a time?

Now let's hope it arrives.... Some day :-)

I paid aro. 14 euros including shipping!

[eathan21th]

Good link! I spent a half an hour, using google translate, to, I think, place an order for one. Would have loved to buy more, but it seems you can only buy one at a time?

Now let's hope it arrives.... Some day :-)

I paid aro. 14 euros including shipping!

Actually you can buy more than one items at a time.
But I think you may buy the last one with motor.
I guess it is almost out of stock.

[flipoclock]

For some reason it would let me select more than one, but not let me buy more than one.

In any case, it might even be that I am receiving a complete clock, with casing. Again, I am not sure :-) First let's if and when it arrives

[Mike 00]

Hi Eathan,

thanks for the link it will be very useful to many on here I’m sure, including myself. I see Robert has already ordered one, no doubt you’ll let us know what you think when you receive the movement Robert.

I saw your post Eathan but this is the first chance I’ve had to post a reply. Unfortunately the motor will be to deep to fit in my case, also my clock motor is on the left, though I’m not sure if the rotation would be different.

Cheers, Mike.

[eathan21th]

Hi Eathan,

thanks for the link it will be very useful to many on here I’m sure, including myself. I see Robert has already ordered one, no doubt you’ll let us know what you think when you receive the movement Robert.

I saw your post Eathan but this is the first chance I’ve had to post a reply. Unfortunately the motor will be to deep to fit in my case, also my clock motor is on the left, though I’m not sure if the rotation would be different.

Cheers, Mike.

Hi Mike,

I think the motor is no the right-hand-side or left-hand-side will not be a big deal.
I guess if you want to use the motor on your clock, from TaoBao, then you will need to modify it a little bit.

Regards,
Eathan

[Mike 00]

Well decided to take a flyer & buy a Copal alarm model 228, the body information label read 180-260VAC 50Hz 6w, 50Hz being right for UK clock timing.

When it arrived the alarm worked fine, so much so I was loath to remove the motor for my Asanuma clock. The clock wasn’t too expensive so decided ah what the hell. When removed the label on the motor/gearbox read 50Hz AC220v M64, the label on my Asanuma motor/gearbox read 60Hz AC120v K63.

Anyway, after fitting the motor to the Asanuma mechanism it ran fine on the bench so went ahead & assembled the Asanuma clock & hey, job done. The clock is keeping good time & now please I bought the 228 alarm, I guess a 227 model would have had the same 220v 50Hz motor too.

As my 228 alarm was like new after a clean, I’m now looking to find a motor for it, but at least I know what I’m looking for now. I guess this makes me a Flip clock collector.

[Mike 00]

Thanks Mackey, I see the images failed to load