clock radios - fixing noisy clocks?
 

I have an old Motorola clock radio, and the radio works, and so does the clock, but the clock is noisy. I took it apart a while ago and found that the noise was coming from gears encased in a metal cylinder I couldn't get apart.

So I just bought an RCA clock radio, and found it has an even noisier clock. I haven't taken it apart to see if it's put together the same as the Moto yet though.

Anyway, I would really like to use an old clock radio, rather than the digital one I use now, but can't stand the noisy clocks. Has anyone had any experience de-noiseifying these old clocks?

That metal cylinder is part of the motor, you might be able to find a replacement one that is newer or NOS. That part is sealed and will break if you take it apart, I tried once. Is it a Telechron movement or another brand? I have several with the Telechron and they are quiet. The '63 Admiral by my bed has been faithful to me now since '97. I might have some motors laying around, if you post a pic I'll look around for one. Most radios use Telechron I've noticed.

I read on another forum that you can drill two small holes in the rear of the housing, drain out the old oil, flush with brake/carb cleaner, refill with a light clock oil and have it work quietly again.
You can reseal the holes with solder after a thorough airing out and an oil refill.
New rotors are available from a clock repair company I use called "Timesavers", they are cheap ($10 or $15) but only a couple of types are available.
Here is a link:
http://www.timesavers.com/findbydesc...ProdDesc=rotor

That's cool! I never thought to drill a hole in it, I'll have to try it next time I come across a noisy or seized clock.

I've had some pretty chatty Telechron motors-isn't it cool how these things showed up in seemingly thousands of different places during their golden age? My favorite has to be the Telechron timer built into fridges. It was geared down to something like 1 rotation per week to kick on the defrost cycle!

If one is careful, yes you can drill in two tiny holes on the sides and throw in a couple of drops of light oil. This may quiet the motor. Personally, I feel better running my clock knowing that it isn't straining against 50 year old gunked-up oil. I have noticed that some motors will buzz a bit, which seems to be the alarm chimes buzzing a bit. I have gotten seized clocks running again with this method, too.

Where on the motor should one drill the holes? I don't want to put a hole where a gear shaft or such is expecting solid metal...

The article I saw put the two holes at the end of the small round protrusion that goes through the laminates of the magnet. Inside is a small wheel that is pulled by the magnetism and is basically centered in the laminates so you have some space to drill without hitting it.

I found the article (with picture) that explains how to replace the oil.
Enjoy!
http://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/...1/m/5421022472

I have by simply running it with the whole unit upside down for a few weeks.

I learned of this through RAR+P several years ago, after others had mentioned it as a simple solution. Try this before messing around with drilling holes. You don't want to get any metal filings inside the clock works!

Here's a reference to the thread that I learned this from: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a...1d054bff0a8f51

I read once, but never tried, that you can put a few drops of oil around where the gear comes out of the rotor on the Telechron rotors. You then place it in a lowish temperature oven, and the unit will heat up and suck the oil down into the rotor.

I've heard most of the suggestions for the noisy Telechrons. Except turning the clock upside down.

Sooooo my Stromberg Carlson is upside down on the mantle as we speak. I'll post back the results.

I think If I were going to drill holes i might try to use a hand drill instead of my Dremel. Might reduce the chance of getting filings. Might take a while though depending on how hard the enclosure is.

What I've done, and it worked, is fill a small container, able to withstand heat, with light oil. Like the lightest 3 in 1, or Marvel mystery (which seems lighter). Then, drop the rotor into it, and heat the container up, carefully. You want to get it up to a decent temp without setting it on fire! We don't need to be much above 160 or 180 or so. Now, you keep it at that temp for a while, like 1/2 an hour. You'll see air bubbles coming out of the rotor by the gear - as it heats up, the air inside expands and pushes out. You can prod it to bring the gear near the surface, and that helps - for now.

Now, make sure the gear is good and under oil, and turn off the heat. Let it stand an hour or two to cool to room temp totally. Or put it in the fridge :)

Once it's at cooled down temperature, take the rotor out of the oil, wipe the excess off the outside, and put it into the clock. You might want to run it in a few positions to really get the new oil on everything. It should be a lot quieter now, almost silent.

Thanks Nasadowsk!
 

I just tried this suggestion last night on a Zenith clock radio... hey it worked really good!

I placed the little motor in a shot glass, filled it with 3 in 1, placed a couple of toothpicks in a small pot, then sat the shot glass on the tooth picks. Then I filled the pot with water... enough to raise the water line about 1/2 way up the shot glass. Turn low heat on the stove top, and within 10-15 minutes, I started getting the little bubbles. Let it continue to heat for another 5 to 10 minutes, then shut off the heat.

Took out the shot glass and placed it in the kitchen window (there was a cool breeze coming in) and came back and hour later to clean it off and then put it all back together.

That clock used to drive me crazy, so I never ran it. Now, i can barely hear it at all unless I get real close to it!

WHAT was it that was in that shot glass, Charlie?


Reece

Ancient Chinese secret! ;)