Mechanical Service & Support
As of January 18th, 2023, Geochron has stopped receiving mechanical clocks for restoration or repair. We will continue to make a limited supply of new mechanical clocks, as parts are available.
To our knowledge, there are no other options for restorations in North America at the moment, but we are working on a business partnership to keep your grand mechanical clock ticking, as it has since 1964.
It is personally heartbreaking for us, but the current inflationary environment has made it very difficult for us to remain open as a boutique manufacturer of mechanical clocks in Portland, Oregon. We’ve also been unable to find a good replacement for our long-time shop manager who retired recently.
Our digital division is strong, and Geochron will continue to develop and support the popular Atlas 2 display far into the future. Please let us know if you have a mechanical Geochron needing repair with this waitlist. Tell us now, and your Geochron will be at the top of the queue when restorations resume.
For warranty requests on existing clocks, please contact us.
Thank you,
Patrick
Owner
Restorations for Mechanical Geochrons
About 70% of the work we do in our shop is restoring old Geochron’s. To their original beauty and operation. Actually, we make them better! Your Geochron will be returned in like-new condition, completely disassembled and restored with new motors, maps, and gears. Each restored clock takes 20-25 hours of work.
You’ll need the original box to ship it, or get a repair carton system from us.
The Machinery
All restorations will include the new Dura Drive technology. The Dura Drive uses modern technology, less power, and effectively doubles the life expectancy of our clock. Read more about Dura Drive here
A restoration is a full reconstruction, improving the clock to:
- A photographic quality mapset on flexible Kodak Dura Clear substrate.
- Replacing all transparent plastics and sun shades.
- Front panel restoration: new tempered glass, trim, and brackets.
- Replacing the drive train and all gearing to the sturdy Dura Drive system.
- A three year manufacturer’s warranty on drive train, and one year warranty on all else. We will cover shipping costs up to 90 days after the restoration. Warranty returns after 90 days do not include shipping the clock.
For adventurous Do-It-Yourself folks we can send parts, but don’t generally recommend it. Call us. 800-342-1661
All the details on our Restoration Program can be found here.
Display Upgrade Options
LED Lighting System
All new Geochrons use an LED Lighting System, and we can upgrade your Geochron to the LED Lighting System. We don’t need the whole clock – just the lighting tracks. Details on the LED Lighting System can be found here.
Sunlit Analemma
Instead of a shadow representing the sun’s position on the analemma, restored clocks can be upgraded with a Sunlit LED Analemma, which turns the sun into a bright yellow jewel in the center of the map. Details on the Sunlit LED Analemma can be found here.
Dimmable LED Lighting System with Remote Control
Set the brightness of the clock to your preference, not just on or off. Details are here.
All the details on our Restoration Program can be found here.
More Support
Over the course of a Geochron’s life, you may want to switch from a surface mounting on the wall to a flush mounting in your office, or the instructions for setting your Geochron may have been lost, or you may need to replace the bulbs but can’t remember the procedure. For help with these go to our Support Documents, or call us at 800-342-1661. We like to talk.
Service in the United States
The only Service Center in the United States is the same machine shop where new clocks are made: for worldwide distribution, in Portland, Oregon. We are “Geochron Actual”, and you are welcome to call us at 800-342-1661, 8:00 – 4:00 PST Monday through Friday, or email us here.
International Service
For international service centers, please view our Authorized International Service Centers list.
Restoration Warranty Information
Warranty Terms for new clocks and rebuilds: – Before 11/15/2016: One year. – After 11/15/2016: Three years on motors and gears. One year for all else. We will cover shipping costs up to 90 days after the initial purchase. Warranty returns after 90 days do not include shipping the clock.
Out of warranty for 2015 and 2016 clocks with failed motors: – Parts and labor are covered. – Shipping paid for by customer. Must have a Geochron shipping container. Please ask to use our UPS Shipping discount.
Restoring Legacy Fluorescent Lighting Systems
Converting to Electronic Ballasts
All restoration and new clocks are built around LED lights, but if still want fluorescent in a legacy clock, they need to be updated to magnetic ballasts. On July 2010, the Geochron (North American units) light fixtures were upgraded from magnetic to electronic ballasts. The benefits from this change are:
- longer lasting ballasts
- use less power
The entire light fixtures for instance can be upgraded by just sending in the fixtures themselves. The process costs $90.00. All shipping costs are based on the distance from the factory and the method of shipping. To order please call 1-800-342-1661 or contact us.
Download: Return Authorization Form for Electronic Ballast Upgrade
Bulb Replacement
To check which replacement bulb you need and to place an order, head here.
100’s of Tiny Parts
Too numerous to list here, this would include sun shades, gears of all shapes and sizes, screws and washers. For the adventurous do it yourselfer, those parts are neatly organized in our shop. Take a picture of what you need, and contact us.