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Time-O-Matic Chaser light control box repair
posted by
popcornn
on
April 1, 2008 at 7:55 am
Hey there,
Does anyone have any contact names for parts to repair a Time-O-Matic Model #2 chaser light controller? This is a mechanical unit from the late 1940’s and the silver soldiered contacts need to be rebuilt/replaced. All they are is a brass bolt with extra fine threads with a glob of silver on the head of the bolt.
I might try a jeweler, but thought I’d try here first.
Comments (13)
Have you contacted the manufacturer?
Time-O-Matic (Watchfire Signs)
1015 Maple Street
Danville, Ill. 61832-0850
Phone: 1-800-637-2645 or (217) 442-0611
www.timeomatic.com (redirects to watchfiresigns.com)
Model two was made in two version: 3 circuit (model 2-6133 or 16378) and 4 circuit (model 2-6144 or 16379).
The parts you are looking for are:
4240 Movable M2 contact & lead assembly (the moving contact)
54047 Stationary M2 contact stud assembly (the fixed contact)
Other parts are:
26507 Universal replacement coil kit, 115 volt 50/60 hz (contains only one coil in the kit)
54099 Model 2 torsion spring
5096 Nylon block for 2-6133 & 2-6144
2410 M2 Ball bearing & eccentric assy for 2-6133 & 2-6144
2430 M2 Shaft & ball bearing assembly
Hey Ken
Thanks for that. I just tried calling them, but was told that there is another company ‘in town’ that services their older products and may have the parts. I’ll give them a try in the morning. Do you think they would have a service manual too?
If you are looking for a alternative solution for the chaser controls, please email me. Our theatre controls were completely gone, but I found a unit that will work well and can be changed at any time. Email me at
No luck with either place, Ken. I’m back to square one. You’re right…I need the studs and the contacts with leads. Hmmmmmmm…
Any other ideas? I am grandfathered for the lights on my building and the moment I upgrade, I’ve been told I have to not have them flashing since they are not allowed under the bylaw.
Glenn…I will email you too.
mike
You could buy a new replacement chaser from a competitor company like FMS Corporation (www.fmsneon.com) and their model 33 chasers/flashers. Maybe the contacts from their chasers will work in yours?
Also try Signatrol (no website, Signatrol.com now goes to some company in England making data loggers) at 714 Garfield Park, Danville, Illinois 61832 phone: (217) 446-1160, Fax: (217) 446-1166
They make the model 20 and 30 high speed border chasers. Again you might be able to use parts from their model to fix yours or simply purchase a new chaser. Most sign ordinances will allow you to repair the chase function by installing replacement parts (like a new chaser altogether, hint hint). It’s hidden inside the sign anyway.
butternut73: there’s an old company in Glendale WI formerly called LEE ENGINEERING but now known as EM INSTRUMENTS, phone 414/247-1127, who in the past have repaired similar parts for me. Give them a call and describe the individual part repair work you require, and they’ll probably be able to give them a new lease on life. Good luck.
I spoke to the ‘sign police’ late last week and I HAVE to repair the existing unit. Otherwise I lose my grandfathered rights to having non-conforming lights and I would have to fall under the current zoning regulations. So…back to square one. Ken, you’re right about the parts I need. Now all I have to do is find someone who stocks them. Thanks again.
I know this was a long time ago, but did you ever figure out a solution to your issue? I might be able to repair the unit.
popcornn, is this what you have? http://youtu.be/kJDT68VILKI
search on youtube for “time-o-matic” and see the video I posted. is this the same thing you have? I have one contact missing also. was thinking about trying to make one.
Hey guys, I’ve got a Time-O-Matic Model 2 with 4 relays that needs some repairs. There’s actually 2 in the configuration. What’s the latest on where parts can be found?
Does anyone know how to sequence the lights using the Type 2 controller? There are 4 controllers, and it looks like they operate at two different speeds creating a Scintillation effect. So there’s 16 relays, but it looks like there are two sets of controllers at each speed, so my guess is that they just split the current load across the two loads because there are over 1,000 bulbs. So I’m guessing there are 8 different sets of lights, four at each speed.