Re: Mike's 53 Clipper

Posted by Tobs On 2013/11/12 6:19:27

Hi Kev,
Thanks for speaking up. Looking through the archives now, I also see that has been discussed. Good to know that the voltage chopper for the instrument cluster can be used with no problem. One less thing to worry about.
I am still not convinced about the clock on 12 volts or in series with a resistor. I'll give it a shot with this voltage reducer I made and see if it works better or if I blow things up.
Referring to Ohm's law, and that if I put a 2 ohm resistor inline with the clock, then I will be pulling 2-4 amps through the clock and 6 amps because of the resistor. I=V/R That would put 6 to 10 amps through the circuit, which I think is a lot for the contact points. Or is the amperage less becasue this should be treated as a transitional circuit? I have a crafstman multi meter at home, but no o-scope. Is your 2-4 amp number with or without a resistor inline?
When running my clock on the bench with 12v and a 1.5 ohm resistor inline I had the effect that the clock only wound about 1/3 of the way, and becasue of that is was charging/winding every 45 seconds.
It could also be that the winding mechanism on my clock is not up to snuff. Is there a point gap spec for clocks? It seems like the contacts close, and open again when the clock is only 1/3 wound. Perhaps I can adjust/bend something so that the contacts open again later, after the clock has wound further? (sounds like it is almost clock kaputt time if I start bending things)
It has been a long time since I took the intro electrical engineering class back in school. Trying to use that faded knowledge might be dangerous...