Hi Steve, Got a strange problem and hoping your engineering background could help. I have a Seiko chiming clock (with pendulum) that runs on a single C battery. It's developed a problem when I replace the batteries with new alkalines or regular carbon zince batteries, it runs slow. I'm talking losing a minute an hour! However, whenever I use an old battery or let it run down, the clock keeps time! What do you think the problem could be? Is the higher voltage of new batteries causing some problem with the motor (over torque)? Like when you dump the clutch on a car, you get wheel spin and go nowhere. I can't think of a better reason. Let me know your theories! Thanks, Monte