Has anyone worked on a Zenith Golden Triangle? I have had three come through with the clock not working...It is a small "swiss made" unit encased in plastic and runs off a 1.5v D cell. Is there some trick to starting them or do you just have to have a good one to begin with??<P>------------------<BR>Eric M.

Well I have a few Zenith Aristocrats (a distance cousin of the Golden Triangle) <IMG SRC="http://168.103.222.44/forums/smile.gif"><P>In all seriousness, I don't know what mechanism is used in these Swiss units. My Aristocrats use a General Time transistor oscillator for the clock "motor". Perhaps yours uses the same?<P>Regardless, there are <B>common</B> things to do on all clocks;<P>LUBRICATION!! I use the pen-oiler from Radio Shack that contains Teflon. You want to full lube any and all moving parts (carefully). The escape mechanism is one that MUST move freely, the smallest amount of dirt (even microscopic) can foul thing up. A little drop will do you with this stuff, don't go crazy or you'll have a mess that could ooze out the front of the clock face due to migration of lubricant over time.<P>CLEANING!! Get that 30++ years of crap out of there, even if sealed, dust can still enter via time-set stems and gaps in the of clock crystal etc.<P>Secret "catches and spoofs", My Aristocrats require the person setting the time to then sharply pull and "snap" time set stem, this provides a kick-start for the escape mechanism, the only way to get the clock to start and continue to run.<P>That's the basics, hopefully someone can fill us in on what the Swiss mechanism uses for motivation <IMG SRC="http://168.103.222.44/forums/wink.gif"><P>------------------<BR><I>Clock-radios, the original form of multi-tasking!</I>

I pulled out a Triangle I had under the bench and noticed the clock had one spot on the back through which you could oil the mechanism. There isn't any dust in it as they did a good job sealing the clear plastic case. I touched a little 3 in 1 oil on it and then put a battery across it. Nothing!! Then I "snapped" the setting knob on the front. (Actually kinda rocked it back and forth..) It started!! This little clock is adjustable for slow and fast so now I am watching it to get it set right...<P>Dr. Radio, You're a genius!!! <P>------------------<BR>Eric M.

I just got a Golden Triangle and the clock only runs on its own for at most a minute. I can keep it going by applying very light pressure to the setting knob in a clockwise direction.I removed the plastic cover and found that it uses an electro-magnet with a two pole armature to wind the mainspring. The winder is working, so I assume the clock needs cleaning and oiling. The armature rewinds the mainspring every three minutes. So basically, these are mechanical clocks that have an electric winder. This web page has a section about electro-magnetic winders: <A HREF="http://mypage.bluewin.ch/electric-clocks/#ElecWind" TARGET=_blank>http://mypage.bluewin.ch/electric-clocks/#ElecWind</A> <P>Zeeny, I'd be interested in where you applied oil. Did you apply it through the 1/8" hole at the center of the plastic cover? That hole is for a knob that could be used to set the hands, and of course is not installed since the Golden Triangle has its knob on the front. Perhaps these clocks were used in other applications where the hands were set from the back as with most clocks.<BR>DA<P>------------------<BR>

DA:<BR>You are right, I don't think it was the oil in the back that started it, it was the snapping action of the knob in front that got it going..I have been using the clock since last year although it seems to be hard on "D" cell batteries.<P>------------------<BR>Eric M.

Zeeny. My clock runs when face down. I was told that it likely has pivot wear and would require more than just oiling and cleaning. I'll bring it to a clock shop this week and see what they say. BTW, how long does a battery last?<P>------------------<BR>

DA:<BR>The instruction manual says "up to one year", however it was stopping and starting after six months. It also says about the clock that "minor adjustments may occasionally be necessary, your local watch repair man can usually make these adjustments." Sounds like you have the right idea about having it looked at.<P>------------------<BR>Eric M.

Zeeny, thanks. I left it at a watch repair shop today. He thinks it only needs cleaning and oiling, and said the hair spring might have oil on it and possibly needed demagnitizing because the balance wheel has a skip as it ticks. Do you have a scan of the manual? I looked for one on google but couldn't find anything. It may be 4-6 weeks before he can work on it. I'll let you know how it works out.<P>------------------<BR>

DA:<P>You can contact me at e_a_miller@hotmail.com <BR>with your address and I'll see if I can get you a copy of the instruction manual on that Triangle.... <P>------------------<BR>Eric M.

Hi guys,<P>I use Radio Shack (archer)catalog # 64-2301A<BR>"pen oiler" with teflon. I use it on everything from clocks to radio pushbutton mechanisms. I highly recommend it <B>if</B> it is still available. Within the last 3 years Radio Shack has really gone down the tubes...<P>You want to do a thorough job <B>cleaning and THEN lubing</B> these tiny little mechanisms. The escape wheel and hair/regulator spring areas need the most attention. I completely disassmble my stuff (which is risky when you get into the really tiny stuff) but it ensures clean surfaces before the lubrication is introduced. Also check the integrity of all wiring and battery contacts. Although very little current is consumed, any additional resistance caused by bad solder joints or corrosion on battery contacts will result in an additional unwanted voltage drop.<P>DA-<P>I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I rec'd your e-mail while I was about to leave for a business trip and a lot of overtime.<P>------------------<BR><I>Clock-radios, the original form of multi-tasking!</I>

Dr. Radio, thanks. I discovered that the clock would run if kept face down or on its side, but stopped when in an upright position. I thought that may mean a worn pivot, so I took it to a repair shop. He looked at it and said it wasn't getting enough power and only needed cleaning and oiling. He's backlogged with a lot of repairs so it won't be ready for 4-6 weeks.