Q&A for How to Maintain a Battery Powered Quartz Wall Clock

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What if the minute hand is loose?

Community Answer

If your clock uses screws to keep the hands in place, try taking the back off and screwing them tight.

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Question

When l put a new battery into my clock, l found that the two clock hands are very loose and they won't go around. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

Community Answer

It sounds like the hands have come off the central spindle. This could be caused by the fact that the motor isn't fixed to the back of the clock properly, so when you grip it to fit the new battery it pulls the hands into the dial and loosens them. If you tighten the motor on the back of the clock, the hands should stay in place and it makes replacement of the battery much easier.

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Question

Why will my clock run when lying flat, but quits when hung on a wall?

Community Answer

A gear may be loose on the inside. Take it to a repair shop for help.

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Question

My very large clock is only running for about 5 weeks before the battery needs replacing. What can I do?

Community Answer

There is an add-on battery booster packet that can be purchased online which holds 5 or 6 AA batteries which extends the battery power. It's suppose to last for 5 years. So far, ours has lasted 2 years. Sure was inconvenient taking down a large clock over the fireplace to frequently change the batteries. This seems to have solved the problem.

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Question

My clock hands are moving backward not forward. What is wrong?

Community Answer

You have a "countdown" clock. or what is jokingly called "an Irish pub clock." There is nothing wrong with it.

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Question

My clock is not working after inserting a new battery. What should I do?

Community Answer

Is it seated against the contacts? Is there any corrosion on the contacts? Did you test the battery for proper voltage?

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Question

Are alkaline batteries too strong for some quartz wall clocks?

Community Answer

The voltages of heavy duty batteries and alkaline batteries of the same size (AA, AAA, 9v, etc.) are the same, about 1.65v in AA, AAA, C or D cells when new and 1.3v or so when worn out. The voltage when the device will no longer work right varies with the device in which it is used. Alkaline batteries have a greater capacity, called amperage, and different chemistry inside. Alkalines last longer because they hold more electricity and their maximum discharge rate is higher, making them the clear choice for devices that draw a lot of electricity. A clock requires only a little electricity, but you want them to last a long time, so use alkalines. HDs will work.

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Question

What do I do if my new clock is suddenly losing time?

Community Answer

That is usually the sign of a worn-out battery. A quartz clock will keep good time until it stops. Near the end of the battery's life, the clock can stop, rest, then restart, making it seem like it is running slow.

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Question

The hour hand on a quartz movement wall clock won't advance but the minute hand will. What's the problem?

Community Answer

The hour hand has slipped off its spindle. Align it where you want it, then press it toward the face, with pressure on the attachment point from both sides.

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Question

Can a quartz wall clock be repaired if the battery was corroded?

Community Answer

If the corroded battery was an alkaline, then use a Q-tip. Dab in lemon juice and carefully clean the terminals. The lemon juice is acidic and should neutralize the leakage (alkaline).

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Question

Clock is 7 years old, just replaced the 5 battery with a fresh Duracell, second hand stops around the 7 to 8 area, it is clicking like it wants to move but just looks tired. Is my clock worn out?

Matthew Yang

Community Answer

No, the whole clock is not at the end of its life span. It probably has a worn gear inside. Just pull the movement off and pull it open. Replace the gear connected to the metal rod with another, put the movement together, push the clock movement back onto the clock, and put the hands back on.

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Question

The hands quit working on my new large wall clock +new battery, after only 20 minutes. The movement makes a faint clicking sound, and the hands seem to be set on the spindle. Any other suggestions?

Matthew Yang

Community Answer

Slide them back onto the spindle. They may have come loose on shipping or taking it home.

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Question

I have an older Seth Thomas quartz wall clock. It takes 1 battery. Finding that after just 3 weeks it starts running slow. Checked the hands and all appear to be moving fine. Any ideas?

Matthew Yang

Community Answer

It probably consumes more power. It probably needs to always need at least 1.5v. When there is an alkaline, the voltage is always dropping. On rechargeables, it drops suddenly at the end of the charge. Use a 1.6v NiZn rechargeable. NiZns always maintain around 1.6v and drop suddenly at the end of the charge, like any rechargeable battery. It should last. Also, get a battery charger.

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Question

We just bought a used quartz clock that is not working. There is no alkaline battery compartment. Could there be another way to start it? Maybe a different type of battery located somewhere else?

Matthew Yang

Community Answer

No, you'll just need to wind it up. If it has no battery compartment, then it's wind-up.

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Question

How does the second hand keep working when the the battery is too low to drive the minute and hour hands?

Matthew Yang

Community Answer

It may be in this case that the minute and hour hands have slipped off their spindles.

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