Copal 227 has developed a rather loud knocking / clicking sound

[Barker]

Hey there

I have a Copal 227 clock that has developed a rather loud clicking/ticking sound. I realise 'ticking' might not be the right word to use, but hopefully you guys might know what I mean. Otherwise if a video would help, I shall take one and upload it!

I don't suppose anyone has any idea what is causing this or how I might be able to fix it, do they?

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Many thanks in advance!

[Twemcopal]

Yes I know what you mean.

I've seen/heard this once or twice. It sounds like the motor and gearbox need a lubrication/service. You can research lubricants on this website. Make sure what you use for the gears is polymer friendly. I use Inox food grade white grease for the gears on a toothpick. Don't use too much though. The motor I've found small drops of 3in1 has worked well for me over the years.

Some of my motors were serviced getting on a decade ago (and are probably getting due again) but are still as quiet as a mouse.

It can take a few hours or even days for them to quieten down after a service, and it should be keeping good time even though it is noisy prior to a service which indicates no stripped gears.

Hope this helps. Upload some photos if you're not sure.

[Barker]

Hey Twemcopal, thanks for your awesome reply!

Just wondering, I found this video https://youtu.be/x8hN1ag6TFk?t=414

Do you think this is a good way to clean the motor and the right product to use?

Also, I've never taken apart a flip clock before, would you advise not attempting this myself, or is it a relatively simple process?

Many thanks again for all your help!

[Twemcopal]

Hi Barker,

Mackey has been saying in previous posts since making that video that he is moving away from the alcohol bath for the motor/rotor assy. If you do try this method do it sparingly and mask up your whirlygig decal (if present) otherwise you'll loose the "running effect' in the dial face window. Make certain no alcohol gets into the gearbox assy.

The way I do it is I uncouple the motor from the clock display assy then I drip a few drops of light machine oil (3 in 1) into the motor shaft sleeve assy through the holes on the rotor/flywheel assy. Dripping from the top down of course. I then carefully and gently flick the rotor assy to work it in. Being careful not to knock the rotor out of round. You want the rotor to run as true as possible. The reason I don't just plug it in yet is because I don't want the oil to flick everywhere. So carefully turn the motor over for several minutes by hand. Clean any drips up with paper towel.

Once I am happy I have some oil in there and any excessive drops are cleaned up I plug it in (rotor facing upright at about 45°) and let it run for half an hour or so sitting on paper towel. Mains is now present so be careful. Once the motor is warmed up I then switch it off and final clean any oil that may be present. I then check it self starts properly as it should by now.

I then carefully pop the cover on the gearbox and administer my polymer friendly white grease on every gear using tiny blobs on a toothpick.

I then run it again on mains to see the white grease is working through nicely and it is quietening down. Then I reassemble.

I've been doing these motors like this for years with 100% success (so far)

Job done.