Aircraft Cockpit Clocks

[Marvin]

Hey guys,

One of my prize possessions right now is my Cockpit clock.  lol  During my last build I was never able to find one of these in good shape or at a decent price.  Well I found this baby, and she is certainly in mint shape and I absolutely love it!

Aircraft Cockpit Clocks

I have a question though for those who have these.  According to the manual everything works as advertised, however.  The manual indicates when winding to wind counterclockwise until you feel tension.  Well, although winding makes the clock work, and it has been keeping accurate time for several days, I don't seem to get the tension?  I have literally spun it about 50 times and still no tension.  Certainly not a deal breaker for me as it works fine without reaching tension, but just curious if I am reading the manual properly?

Thanks
Jody

[tiger-31]

If it works like that for a few days, don't twist it much further. A friend of mine broke one because he twisted until there was tension. Then suddenly the spring snapped. So take care.

Nice clock you have there  anyway

[Kukki]

those 8-day clocks are easy to brake, so dont over vind it.  and I dont thnik nothing happens bu vinding it counterclockwise.

Clockwise till you feel a little tension and then stip, then it will run for 8 days

[Killratio]

+1 to Kukki...I have had three running ones over the years...all clockwise until firm back pressure, just as with any  wind up clock.

Not sure where the anticlockwise comes in, all of mine just ratchet over if wound in reverse, no harm done. You won't "unwind" the spring going backwards.

(Glad to see you back mate!)


Darryl

[KK]

Jody,
nice catch. Is it backlighted?

As for winding up a mechanical clock I suggest do the following.
Let the clock run a few days until it comes to the natural stop.
Then you know the spring is completely unwinded.
Give it then approx. 10 alternate windings. clockwise/counterclockwise each about 180 degrees.
The clockwise winding will give tension to the spring not the counterclockwise.
After that your clock should have energy for 5 days.
Check if the clock is still running after 5 days and then repeat the clockwise/counterclockwise winding
again.

[Marvin]

Well according to the manual it is counter clockwise.  I figure it doesn't matter how much I spin it to  achieve a lengthy period as it pretty much needs to be set to the Falcon clock time during ramp start.  So I guess I will add to my check list, wind clock 5 spins and adjust time.  That should suffice for a max 3 hour flight. 

As for lighting, I believe it is.  It appears to be the same as the F16 clocks?  Once I get to that stage I will investigate.

Thanks for the answers guys!
Jody

[Tulkas]

He is Swiss, listen to him... 

Jody,
nice catch. Is it backlighted?

As for winding up a mechanical clock I suggest do the following.
Let the clock run a few days until it comes to the natural stop.
Then you know the spring is completely unwinded.
Give it then approx. 10 alternate windings. clockwise/counterclockwise each about 180 degrees.
The clockwise winding will give tension to the spring not the counterclockwise.
After that your clock should have energy for 5 days.
Check if the clock is still running after 5 days and then repeat the clockwise/counterclockwise winding
again.

[Marvin]

Ha ha I am not trying to ignore him..  When I received the clock, it was unwound and not ticking.  The manual indicated counter-clockwise turn.  While investigating I noted the knob DOES NOT turn clockwise, then or now.  It will only spin counter clockwise and the clock seems to function as described in the manual.  The only way it will spin clock wise, is if I pull the knob outward which it will spin both ways but this is for setting the time.

I am not questioning whether I am spinning it the right way.  I just don't seem to find a tension spot while spinning.

Jody

He is Swiss, listen to him... 

Jody,
nice catch. Is it backlighted?

As for winding up a mechanical clock I suggest do the following.
Let the clock run a few days until it comes to the natural stop.
Then you know the spring is completely unwinded.
Give it then approx. 10 alternate windings. clockwise/counterclockwise each about 180 degrees.
The clockwise winding will give tension to the spring not the counterclockwise.
After that your clock should have energy for 5 days.
Check if the clock is still running after 5 days and then repeat the clockwise/counterclockwise winding
again.