The K'Mart (Arthur Barnetts) Clock
Meridian Mall, George Street,
DUNEDIN, Otago, New Zealand
Following photos from the archives of Jira Communications Ltd and some by courtesy of P&W Engineering
We were first asked to make this clock operate reliably about 2001. The problem at that time was found to be that the clock body frame had become distorted after several years of hanging in its wall side-mount frame causing the gear mechanism to seize. The decision was taken to dismount the clock, renovate it and re-hang it in a new frame which would give it a higher degree of structural support. Accordingly, JIRA obtained three independent Engineering reports concerning the best way to proceed with stabilising the clock for the long term future. Unfortunately just as the clock was being taken down, the Mall complex unexpectedly changed ownership and the clock situation then remained unresolved for a number of years. During this time, the clock remained sitting outdoors at Miller Studio in Dunedin where it had been taken for repairs to the broken glass neon digits.
The state of the clock after several years of neglect
Clock & internal view of main mechanism showing slip rings and bevel gearing. Note that the slave motor drive mechanism is missing and its T-Bar coupling is lying loose on the chassis plate.
In the attempt to identify the movement, these photographs were sent to historic manufacturers of electro-mechanical clocks around the world. One of these manufacturers based in the USA who has been making tower clocks for almost a century recognised the mechanism as a Telechron, dating from the mid 1930s and in reference to the high-voltage slip rings in the picture, made the comment - You wouldnt want to be servicing this clock in the rain!
By comparing the above two (centre & right) photos, the original fault can be clearly seen. The main drive bevel gear is heavily meshed on one side and loose on the other. This was caused by the chassis mounting plate becoming bowed. In fact, although it is not seen in these pictures, the chassis had been under such pressure that the mounting bolts which secure the steel plate to the clock frame had sheered off and the plate had sprung. Note that the T-Bar receptor is clearly bent also.
About 17 July 2006
The decision was taken by the new owners of the Mall to proceed with the recondition of the clock.
While new glass based neon digits and hand displays were being made by Millers, the clock body was transported to P&W Engineering, Gow Street, Mosgiel, for strengthening and to be fitted for its new hanging frame.
Meet a couple of the P&W good old boys hard at work - On the left is Greg Slade, Design Engineer at P&W Engineering, and on the right is Wayne Flockton, one of the owners.
Monday 9 October 2006
The clock was transported back to Millers Studio in Dunedin for fitting with the new new neon digits and neon hands displays.
Compare pictures of the clock face and see that somehow it has gained a spiral design centre dial! Nobody knows when or by whom this was added but all agree it adds to the presentation. Also spot camera-shy Leanne, Receptionist at Miller Studio, (right of left pic), and Trevor Hellyer, from Miller Studios, who makes the neon displays.
Note: Trevor remembers that not long after he finished his apprenticeship at the former General Signs of Dunedin, that he worked on this same clock during a previous restoration in the 1960's. As he recalls, the digits were originally yellow and the hands were green neon. Today he has chosen bright orange because it has longer lasting qualities and because it displays better in sunlight conditions. The total power consumption when the clock is brightly lit is in the order of 750Watts so we would expect there will be a timer fitted to ensure the clock only displays during off-peak hours!
After repairs and engineering work had been completed
The missing original gear train mechanism was eventually located by Greg Slade from P&W Engineering after a week of concerted searching by a number of people but it no longer had its original drive motor fitted. The pic on the left shows it back in place in the clock body following reconditioning by JIRA. The drive mechanism has been modified to accept a 12VDC impulse driven motor .
The picture on the right is of the custom built electronic Master Controller as designed by JIRA which drives the clock . As set up today, the hands advance rapidly one minute, every minute, on the minute and remain at rest for the remainder of the minute. Overall timekeeping accuracy is by quartz crystal and the Controller features battery backup to ensure uninterrupted operation during a power cut. The clock takes about 2-Amps in Run Mode so the Controller was built to a heavy duty specification.
6am Tuesday 31 October 2006 An early Start.
Following photos taken by Elliot John of JIRA
The finished project!
The neons lit-up, the clock started, and the first run went without a hitch - well not quite!.
In fact the truth is that someone who requests to remain nameless (Trevor) had forgotten to disconnect the battery in the Master Controller the previous Thursday. The battery had gone so flat by the time he brought it to the installation that it was not able to run the clock. Garth from JIRA then had to run a cable from the service vehicle battery to power the clock on first startup while the clock battery was being charged.
The pic on the right is of the Arthur Barnetts Horse currently located on top of the Meridian Mall (overlooking George Street), Dunedin. The legs and body of the horse contain a set of neons which are cleverly switched so as to simulate movement of the horse. The clock (now overlooking Hanover Street which crosses with George Street at the north end of the Mall Complex) was once an integral part of the Horse display, originally being suspended between the front legs of the horse in a different location in the days of the original building in George Street, Dunedin..
Credits due:
John McGreggor, (Titan Crane Operator).
Ricky Manson (Titan Cranes)
Iain Mackay (Director, Miller Studio)
Trevor Hellyard (Neons, Miller Studio)
Stephen Jaquiery (ODT Reporter)
Michael Porter (Mall Manager)
Greg Slade (P&W Engineering)
Shane Patterson and Paul Eckhoff (P&W Engineering) in the cage
Neil (Aotea Electric - on the ladder)
Garth ( JIRA- in red overalls).