Keywound And Battery Wall Clocks Question

What if my clock chimes a few minutes before or after the hour?

If the clock chimes more than one minute before or after the proper time, the minute hand should be removed and adjusted.  For complete details, please refer to page 10 of the Floor Clock Instruction Manual or page 3 in the Wall and Mantel Clock Instruction Manual.  Copies of these manuals can be down loaded from our web site for your convenience.

How do I reset the time for daylight savings?

When setting the clock back one hour, rotate the minute hand counterclockwise one-hour. When setting the clock ahead one hour, rotate the minute hand clockwise one-hour. When moving the hands forward, it is important to allow the clock to chime every quarter hour (1/4, ½, ¾, 1) before advancing the hands to the next quarter hour positi on. . DO NOT MOVE THE HANDS WHILE THE CLOCK IS CHIMING OR STRIKING.

What if my mechanical clock does not strike the correct hour?

If the clock is new, allow it to operate for several hours before making any adjustments. If the strike is off, grasp the HOUR HAND ONLY and rotate it forward or backward to line up with the correct hour on the dial indicated by the number of times the hour strikes. Rotating this hand independently will not harm the movement. Then adjust the hands to the correct time by rotating the minute hand counter-clockwise – as explained in the instructions. DO NOT MOVE THE HANDS WHILE THE CLOCK IS CHIMING OR STRIKING. After a few hours, the movement’s self-adjusting feature will synchronize the hands with the correct chime and strike. 

What if my mechanical clock is in the “night off” position and it is silent during the day instead of the night?

Rotate the minute hand counterclockwise twelve hours. DO NOT MOVE THE HANDS WHILE THE CLOCK IS CHIMING OR STRIKING. 

What if my clock chimes have the incorrect tone?

The chime tone may be affected by the hammer resting on the chime rod (coil) or striking the rod (coil) off center. Although the hammers were set at the factory, it is possible for the hammers to get out of adjustment.
Chime hammer arms are made of brass and can be bent safely. This is accomplished by bending the hammer arms slightly in the middle so that the hammers rest approximately 1/8 inch from the chime rod. DO NOT bend the chime rod. Strike volume cannot be adjusted. 

Can I increase or decrease the chime volume in my mechanical clock?

No. Volume is not adjustable. 

What if a chime rod is broken?

Contact a local service center or Howard Miller for a replacement rod. 

What if my mechanical clock operated fine for several years but now is slow or stopping?

It is likely that your clock movement needs maintenance. Contact an authorized Howard Miller Service Center.  Service Centers are located under "Customer Support" on the Howard Miller web site.  Cleaning and oiling are not covered under warranty. 

What if my pendulum hangs crooked?

Pendulums can get twisted in shipping or by handling. Howard Miller suggests wearing cotton gloves or using a soft non-abrasive cloth when handling the pendulum. To straighten the pendulum, first remove it from the clock. With one hand, hold the pendulum below the top strap. With the other hand, grasp the pendulum bob. Gently twist the pendulum in the direction necessary to eliminate the twist. 

What if the hands are bent?

The clock hands are easily bent. Carefully bend them back to the correct position. 

How do I wind my clock?

Floor Clocks with Cables and Pulleys – Weights that are suspended by cables with pulleys should be raised by using the crank provided. DO NOT lift the weights by hand while cranking. Insert the crank into the holes located in the dial face. It does not matter in what order the clock weights wound. All weights need to be wound to the up position.

Floor Clocks with Chains – Pull straight down on the chains. DO NOT lift up on the weights as this could cause the weight to come unhooked from the chain. Pull down on the loose end of the chain until the weight is approximately 2 inches from the bottom of the wood movement mounting board. It does not matter in what order the clock weights wound. All weights need to be wound to the up position.

Wall and Mantel Clocks – Insert the winding key into the holes located in the dial face. Depending upon the model of your clock, there can be 1, 2, or 3 winding keyholes. Turn the key clockwise until the spring becomes tight and will not turn further. For clocks with hanging weights, raise the weights using the crank. DO NOT lift the weights by hand while cranking. Wind your clock once a week. It does not matter in what order the clock weights wound. All springs must be fully wound. 

What is meant by “triple chime”?

Triple chime refers to clocks that play a choice of three different melodies. The most common triple chime melodies are Westminster, St. Michaels, and Whittington. 

How often should my mechanical clock movement be oiled and cleaned?

It is recommended that your mechanical clock movement be oiled every two years from the date of purchase and thoroughly cleaned every five to ten years depending upon climatic conditions. Extremely dry, humid or salty air, hot or cold may necessitate more frequent servicing. Howard Miller does not recommend that you service your clock yourself. Contact an authorized Howard Miller Service Center as found at this internet site. Cleaning and oiling are not covered under warranty.

What if my mechanical clock will not chime or strike?

1. Check that the strike on/off lever in not in the “strike off” position or halfway between positions.
2. Check that the movement is not in the “night off” position.
3. Be sure that all the packing material is removed from the movement area. You should be able to carefully pull each hammer back away from the rod approximately one inch.
4. Check the hammer adjustment to be sure that the hammers are properly aligned with the gong rods.
5. For weight driven clocks, make certain that the weights are in their proper location. The proper position of the weights as you are facing your clock is labeled on the bottom of each weight.
6. If your clock is a cable driven clock and was previously run, it is possible that the cables were not wound up with the weights left on the pulley. When this happens, the cables overlap on the drum. Check the cables on the drums to see if they are overlapped. If so, contact the dealer or retailer where you purchased the clock. Correcting this problem is not covered under warranty.

How do you recommend that I clean and maintain my clock?

1. Wax and polish your cabinet as frequently as you would other fine furniture. Use a good furniture polish or past wax. Apply the polish to a soft cloth – do not spray or apply directly to the case. Do not use a silicone-based product.
2. Use extreme caution when cleaning the glass. Use a quality liquid non-ammonia glass cleaner. Apply the glass cleaner to a soft cloth – do not spray or apply directly to the glass.
3. It is recommended that your clock movement be oiled every two years from the date of purchase and thoroughly cleaned every five to ten years depending upon climatic conditions. Extremely dry, humid or salty air, hot or cold may necessitate more frequent servicing. Howard Miller does not recommend that you service your clock movement yourself. Contact an authorized Howard Miller Service Center. Cleaning and oiling are not covered under warranty.

What if my clock chimes a few minutes before or after the hour?

If the clock chimes more than one minute before or after the proper time, the minute hand should be removed and adjusted.  For complete details, please refer to page 10 of the Floor Clock Instruction Manual or page 3 in the Wall and Mantel Clock Instruction Manual.  Copies of these manuals can be down loaded from our web site for your convenience.

What if my quartz dual chime movement will not operate properly?