ok, so it may sound like a dumb question at first, but I hope I can make it at least SOUND not so dumb. My vintage spike clock showed up today. On the back plate there is a round non-threaded hole. Our kitchen (house built in '57) has the round "clock outlet" high up on the wall. The wall plate has the same size round non-threaded hole in it. I'm guessing these two holes align, but what is the "peg" or other hanging device that was commonly used to hang these clocks. The clock I have has a 3"-4" cord so there isn't much wiggle room. What am I missing? THANKS!!
Originally
Originally, if your clock is electric (Not battery or key wound), it had a long cord with a plug coming out of a hole just behind the 6 o'clock that hung straight down. Or, it had what is called a Chronopak wall unit. If it has this then it had no cord, just the plug with the 2 prongs coming out of the middle of the back of the clock. It would have also then, come with a box that mounted recessed into the wall that was wired to your electrical source. This box would have an outlet that the clock's prongs would plug into. There would also be a knob shaped metal peg with a 4 way split in it coming out of this wall mounted part that would match up with the hole on the back of the clock (12 o'clock position). The peg has this split in it so it can squeeze together and fit into the hole snugly. This is what really holds the clock up on the wall, not the plug. It is sometimes hard to get a vintage Nelson clock off of one of these units, but all you have to do is give it a good pull and it should come off. I will try to post some pics for you, since I know this may all sound confusing. A lot of the old Howard Miller catalogs have an illustration of how these worked. And every now and then a vintage Nelson clock will sell on Ebay that still has this kind of plug and sometimes the wall unit included too. Actually, there is a vintage Steering Wheel clock on there right now ( Item number: 120374782578), that still has the original kind of plug yours should have.
I Clock...
you're awesome. The info regarding the peg is exactly what I was looking for and the "Chronopack" reference puts a name to the plug that I am IDEALLY looking for. The cord that is on the clock looks as though it may have been a replacement, but what the original plug was I'm not sure. Lookin g at it now though, the is no hole where the cord would have come out of the bottom of the housing at 6 o'clock, so I'm guessing it was originally a chronopack...maybe. I wonder if I can get the type of plug put back on it? We have the round recessed plug in our wall although the box is not square, it is round as well.
So...
I just came from a reputable clock repair shop/dealer in my area and asked about the Chronopak plug and the aforementioned peg. The dealer replied, "I have been here for 25 years and you are the first person who WANTS one of those". He reasoned that the clock now has a cord because the old plug may have gone bad and they discovered that they were no longer available. He mentioned contacting Howard Miller...which I IMMEDIATELY flashed back to the other Nelson clock discussion which mentions Howard Miller's almost DISASSOCIATION with Nelson. SO, does anyone know if/where Chronopak plugs and pegs might be available?
I'm sure many people have bought a direct-plug
chronopack Nelson clock and taken off the direct-plug and replaced it with a cord.
Perhaps someone (LRF, possibily) might've done that and kept the direct plug.
NOW....I'm quite sure that you can remove the direct-plug from the back plate of a chronograph clock, but you can go the other way (i.e. putting a direct-plug onto a back plate that was not designed for it.
I have only 1 clock that had had the chronopack direct-plug removed and the backplate does have the two small holes. I bought it with the electric chord.
DudeDah..you're in luck dude
I dug thru some drawers and found an extra wall mount unit that I would be willing to part with. On some of the units I have the peg is bigger than others. I am guessing that the bigger pegs were more suited for the clocks with wooden bodies/cans and the the smaller peg worked better with metal can/body clocks that have a metal back plate. Since you are talking about a Spike clock, model # 2202, then I am sure yours has a metal body. (I have never seen a small Spike clock with a wooden body). Let me know how to get ahold of you and I will send you some pictures. Maybe we can get your clock up on the wall with no cord showing.
Howard Miller chronopak wall unit
Hi, I found an old posting from several years ago that had you discussing the chronopak wall mount units for the old George Nelson clocks. At that time you mentioned that you had some wall receptacles available. If that's still the case, I would be interested in one or several of them. I just hate exposed cords and won't buy the battery operated repro clocks. I hope you can help. Thanks, John Friedmann in Chicago (312-719-1960)
I'm in need of George Nelson chronopak wall receptacle
I have a George Nelson 30.25" diameter sunburst/starburst (the one with the multicolored spikes) model 2230. I'ts a direct wall plug-in and I am in need of a electric chronopak for this clock. Does anyone have one they're willing to sell or know where I could buy one from? This was my grandparents clock and it would mean the world to me to get this clock hung up in my home. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!
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