Allen Designs: Choo Choo Clock

Watch a video explaining how to troubleshoot this issue.

Always try a new, fresh battery. The clocks have two separate functions, time keeping and pendulum swinging. As the battery starts to fail, one function usually gives out before the other.

Check to make sure the positive end of the battery (nub end) is pointing down and the silk ribbon is not obstructing the connection between the battery and the mechanism. You may need to slightly pull on the silk ribbon to ensure the battery is making full contact with the mechanism.

Make sure the mechanism itself is vertical (straight up and down) -Taking into account some designs are asymmetrical and the mechanism may need to be slightly tilted to one side or the other to achieve proper balance.

Your nail or screw must be slightly tilted upward to hold the clock tight to the wall. (Nail should only be sticking out of the wall approximately 1/4".) Clock should be flush against the wall.

Make sure the swing arm is not hooked to the side post on back of mechanism. If so, gently push it to the left until it unhooks.

A jiggling or shaking pendulum, indicates the mechanism is not straight up and down on the back of the clock. Remove the pendulum before straightening. Please consider, some of the designs are asymmetrical and the mechanism may need to be slightly tilted to one side or another to achieve proper balance.

Watch a video on troubleshooting this issue.

The hands are on a tapered shaft, and most likely just need to be pushed back down firmly onto the shaft.

This is best accomplished by pressing down the bottom of each hand, starting with the hour hand. Press the hour hand firmly with thumb nails at the base of the hand, at the shaft. It should visually meet the brass. With the minute hand, repeat and press firmly, until it won't go any further. There will be a space between the hour and minute hand. (If you can't squeeze your fingers in between the minute and hour hand, it may be easier to remove all three hands and place them back on one at a time.) If the second hand was removed, gently tap into place. (If pushed on too hard, it can jam and affect the time keeping function.)

*TIP: Using the wheel on the back of the mechanism is the recommended way to set the time. Using the hands, increases the chance for hands to become loose

Make sure the second hand is clear of the other hands.

Remove the second hand and gently TAP it back into place. (Be sure to not push the second hand on too hard, otherwise it can jam or split, which will affect the time keeping function.)

**If after trying the above, the second hand is not ticking properly, a new mechanism and second hand is needed.

Your nail or screw must be slightly tilted upward to hold the clock tight to the wall. Nail should only be sticking out of the wall approximately 1/4".

** For large designs, a screw should be used and needs to go into a wall stud. A standard nail will NOT support this heavy design. Do not hang the clock above head level.

Insert a new, fresh battery from the package. This is best accomplished by putting the positive (nub end) in first, followed by a firm push to the negative end. Check to make sure the positive end of the battery is pointing down and the silk ribbon is not obstructing the connection between the battery and the mechanism. You may need to slightly pull on the silk ribbon to ensure the battery is making full contact with the mechanism.

Set time by using the dial on the back of the mechanism.Make sure the mechanism itself is vertical so the pendulum will swing properly (considering some clocks are asymmetrical and may need to be slightly tilted to one side or the other to achieve proper balance). Make sure the swing arm is not hooked to the side post on back of mechanism. If so, gently push it to the left until it unhooks. Carefully place pendulum on swing arm hanger.

Place clock on nail/screw. Be certain the hanger and braces are flush against the wall. Enjoy!