1950s Westclox S5-J Moonbeam Alarm Clock
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Introduced in 1948, Westclox's Moonbeam alarm clock was introduced to provide an easier and gentler way to wake oneself up in the morning. Instead of waking to the sound of the bell ringer or a buzzer (at least initially), a 25 watt incandescent lightbulb would begin to flash repeatedly, in an effort to gently wake you with not so much as a sound. In the odd case that you weren't woken by the light's flashing, a mechanical buzzer would sound after around five minutes past the original alarm's time. This Moonbeam is one of the earlier models, as it has a power failure indicator located below the number 12 on the dial. Useful for indicating power outages (and to alert you the time it is displaying is incorrect), the indicator would turn red when and if the power is interrupted. Flipping the clock upside down would reset the indicator. The power interruption/failure indicator was dropped in 1954 in an effort to cut costs.
It was a unique concept, and proved to be a fairly popular one, as Westclox went so far as to make several other revisions to their original Moonbeam clock. In 1963, the Moonbeam underwent the first of several other design changes, this time morphing into a rectangular design similar to other alarm clocks of the time. In 1976, the Moonbeam had another facelift, but maintained a similar design and layout. Additionally, in 1974, a mechanical flip clock version was introduced which predated the later LED versions introduced in 1979. Throughout all the design changes, the flashing light portion of the clock was always retained on the left side of the dial.
These clocks are still plentiful, both online and offline, but finding them in perfect working condition from the get-go is becoming increasingly difficult. If you're not up to the chore of finding and/or restoring an original Moonbeam, Westclox has taken to manufacturing reproductions in China since 2001. While nowhere near as sturdy or robust, the reproductions have a lighted dial, snooze button, a bell ringer, and an LED light in place of the incandescent bulb found in the originals. The only major difference is the exclusion of the Westclox name; in its place is the Big Ben logo and name.
Note to discerning viewers: the introduction of the video got a bit botched in the recording stages, and accordingly, is a bit jumpy.
So I had NO idea that was how it would worked-and mine DOES work!!! I’m so excited! I took it to a lighting store and they said they could not fix it but I’m betting they didn’t know how it worked either. Thanks for the lesson!
My Grandfather (maternal) had one of these (with the later style 1954-57 maroon luminous dial, no power failure indicator) my Grandmother kept it for years after he passed on. I loved the quiet but subtle sounds of the clock gears and subtle rapid ticking (sweep motion) of the second hand. I've been researching these and the original 1948-57 Moon Beam was actually never available in yellow. All Westclox catalogs from 1949-57 describe the Moon Beam as having a "white plastic case". Of course visual evidence from surviving examples of this clock have shown that it didn't take long for these white butyrite covers to "yellow" with age as my Grandparent's Moon Beam had very much "yellowed" by the 1970s-80s. I love this clock! Thank you for sharing this video! It takes me back!
These are what's called synchronous clocks. As long as there's nothing wrong with the movement and they are running on the correct frequency from the power grid they are very accurate, more accurate long term then any quartz clock can ever hope to be. That thing you said was a transformer is the coil for the synchronous motor, not a transformer. The buzzer will also work off that coil. Very nice clock and video.
The transformer you pointed out is actually the motor coil. There's no transformer in those old clocks - no modern low voltage dc crap in there. The new ones, sadly are low voltage dc ordinary ticking quartz clocks. Ac powered clocks like this kept perfect time because they use a synchronous motor - that is the line frequency sets the rotational speed, not the voltage. The line frequency was traditionally kept pretty damn near perfect 60hz, so the clocks kept great time.
I have a vintage clock like this that I got off ebay, and it looks like this one except it has a light colored face. I LOVE it. It's beautiful, it works, and waking up to the light versus a buzzer or radio is kinder and perfectly effective. Thanks for the video.
wow, thanks for the video, neat old clock, didn't know Westclox was located in Lasalle IL. near me and ran from 1885 to 2000! Good run, I remember having a Baby Ben windup clock when I was a kid back in the 70's.
Very nice aesthetics, the design reminds me of Art Deco, a style I like immensely! The modern copies of this clock, I would not own, but I would the original!
The bent hands are so they can get them closer to the glass but so they don't actually touch.
hansonsux I got a travel Ben today and noticed the bent handle. I initially thought it was damaged, glad I noticed your explanation in the comments.
This is a great tutorial. I have the original one too but the alarm is very faint. Light works great though. I also have a retro one that is released from LL Bean and I have another one on the way that has a USB port on it. Great job on this tutorial.
I just bought one today from the antique mall, only issue is the turn knob for the alarm setting dial is gone, I'm gonna see if i can get it a new dial so I can set the alarm to whenever i want. Other than that it is fully functional even after 70 years.
I just bought one today and it works
Also, while the buzzer does go off, it’s very quiet.
Manufacturers began replacing cloth-covered power cords on home appliances around 1948-1950. So it isn't surprising to see the rubber-covered cord on that unit, even if it's one of the early models.
Amazing clock. iv seen several on ebay. i like the idea. i had no idea they had made one with waking up to a light. wonder how well that worked? great video!
It works pretty well, I wasn't even aware the buzzer on mine worked until I got up before the alarm went off and then started hearing a strange noise.
When the buzzer is out of adjustment and is very faint in volume , it sounds even creepier when it kicks on with just a mild low pitched hum. The backup buzzer is supposed to be very loud and jarring enough to “wake the dead” when functioning properly.
The minute hand is curved on mine. Can confirm it's meant to be.
I saw Bob Andersen's video about these a long time ago, and I wouldn't mind having one myself. I wonder if they were ever sold over here.
I guess an LED replacement bulb would work too and stay a lot cooler for the aged plastic case. Let me know if anyone has used an LED replacement bulb.
canadagirleh good point about the overheating. I changed the inside light globe in my 1967 Chevy El Camino and the new globe melted through the plastic cover.
I have one from 1957 that will run when I lean it back but if I set it level it won't run...does anyone know what is wrong with it? I tried a few drops of clock oil but still the same problem.
Excellent Video! Learned a lot about my garage sale find. Mine is identical except it is made in Canada (CSA Standards), has plastic wiring on the inside and has a hole in the back where yours has a screw ( I am sure it is supposed to be this way). I wonder if it is for oil?
I know I'm late to the party but wanted to reply for future readers. I also have the Canadian model but mine has a screw in back where you indicate yours has a hole. The screw is fitted into a dished washer that fits perfectly into the surrounding concave divot in the casing so I suspect yours also had this washer and screw at one time.
Any suggestions regarding type of oil to be used on these clocks? I have just acquired a fully functional 1948 Model S5-J. Gears are dry but keeping good time
I use good old 3 IN ONE oil. m.3inone.com/3inone-multi-purpose.php
I have the same EXACT unit. It works and is in at least the same condition or better. So random
The new ones are just cheap Chinese copies with an ordinary ticking quartz clock, plastic gears etc.
LL Bean has “updated” to a new moonbeam clock... it looks the same but is much much cheaper than even their original reproduction. It appears to quite a few 1 star reviews due to its super cheap construction.
I set the alarm for 8 but at 7:10 it started to flash and by 7:15 it is ringing. Is this hard to fi
These clocks were designed to wake up, deaf people. That’s why the original ones had no alarm sound and only used the flashing light.
These were introduced in 1948 and were made through 1958. These all had the backup buzzer which has a tendency to stop sounding after many years (especially when they’ve been in storage or the alarm hasn’t been set in decades) . The buzzer armature can be adjusted and made audible once again.
Sounds a little like the alarms in prison. Btw, I was a prison guard...
its curved cause the glass is curved
Yes...the minute hand is curved.
you should avoid touching the clock face, the one you own there uses radium in its paint.
RMX7777 people only got sick from licking the wet paintbrushes.
@@RR4711 radium is a heavy metal, breathing or ingesting the dust from the paint will result in it staying within your body for many years, where you will constantly be exposed to ionization.
RMX7777 my father worked in a building attached to a nuclear reactor during the 1960s back in Hungary, they really had no idea about the dangers of radiation back then. Here in Australia they used to build out of asbestos, many of the factory workers died from the dust they inhaled. Nowadays the government is very strict about renovating houses that contain asbestos.
Has anyone tested this model with a geiger counter?
@@kopfcanyonranch yes, through the plastic it reads around 1,000 cpm. Disassembled it reads around 12,000 cpm.
will you reply