Vol.28

Otona no Kagaku (Science for Adults) Magazine vol.28

Modified A4/100 pages/On sale July 28, 2010
● Supplement: Double-foliot Japanese Clock

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Download supplement assembly and operation instruction leaflet [PDF: 2,605 KB]

Supplement Troubleshooting

[Double-foliot Japanese Clock]

The foliot does not move.

Check the looseness of the screws holding down the verge stopper, the orientation of the foliot, and the orientation of the escape wheel. By slowly turning the third wheel in the downward direction with your hand, you will be able to check the movement of the escape wheel and foliot.

The clock does not change between night and day.

Check the assembly of the cam and cam receiver. This will occur if the cam spring has come loose, or if the oblong-shaped lever on the ratchet pawl unit has come loose.

The mainspring does not wind properly.

Check the assembly of the ratchet wheel and click. The two are assembled together correctly when the tab on the click is clicked onto the ratchet wheel.

The sound of the clock parts rotating is too loud.

Apply a small amount of lubricant oil to the shaft of the escape wheel. Wipe away any excess oil in surrounding areas with a tissue, etc.

The clock stops partway through its operation.

It may take several days for the wheels in the clock to “develop a rhythm” (get used to running with each other). Frequently wind up the clock, and wait for a few days to see how things go. If you still have problems, check the looseness of the string and up/down position of the foliots. The foliots may be hanging too low. It is best to position the end of the foliot so that it hangs about 1 mm from the top surface of the ratchet pawl. Refer to page 83 of the magazine for how to adjust the heights.

No signal can be detected from the leaf switch.

One of the switch contacts (either the red or black one) may be curved too far inward. Increase the distance between the switch terminals. Under normal conditions, the switch contacts are positioned correctly when there is a gap between switch terminals.

The mainspring winding comes undone all at once.

The tooth of the relevant foliot may have been shifted upward away from the escape wheel. Check the up/down position of the end of the foliot. It is best to position the end of the foliot so that it hangs about 1 mm from the top surface of the ratchet pawl.

The clock runs too fast.

There is a tendency for the clock to run fast right after assembly is completed. Wait for about three days. If you still think that the clock runs too fast after this time, add another weight (a nut) to adjust the time. Gakken's Editing Department does have some spare parts on hand which we will provide to you if you send us a note by email () stating "Request for Nut" along with that address you want us to send it to, and your name and telephone number. (Requests will not be filled once the supply on hand runs out.)
You can also purchase replacement nuts at home centers and other places by asking for "M8 nuts."

I lost a part.

Although the quantity is limited, we do have some spare parts on hand. If you need a replacement, please send us the name of the part you lost, the address you want us to send it to, and your name and telephone number by email ().

There is a part missing.

Please accept our deepest apologies. We will provide you with a replacement if you send us the name of the missing part, the address you want us to send it to, and your name and telephone number by email (). We will send the part off to you immediately.

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