UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Vintage French Doorbell

TonyDuell · 12th Oct 2018, 5:39 pm

UK telephone bells (the old 1k resistance ones) will ring, albeit not too well, from a 30V transformer, it was suggested that you connect a 8uF (or 10uF) non-polarised capacitor in series with the bell. I tried it many years ago, it did work, although you had to adjust the positions of the gongs for the best ring.

Ah, I've found where I got that idea from. It was the Practical Wireless home telephone exchange project in the Feb 1975 issue.

This bell looks very similar to a telephone bell, so you might try that. Or try a telephone ringing supply if you have one.

Crazy idea, but it is French.... Was it used with a conventional bell push? I could imagine a magneto generator (similar to those in local battery telephones) operated by a lever or crank next to the front door.

12th Oct 2018, 5:39 pm	#13
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,222	Re: Vintage French Doorbell - Surely not 220V AC working!!! UK telephone bells (the old 1k resistance ones) will ring, albeit not too well, from a 30V transformer, it was suggested that you connect a 8uF (or 10uF) non-polarised capacitor in series with the bell. I tried it many years ago, it did work, although you had to adjust the positions of the gongs for the best ring. Ah, I've found where I got that idea from. It was the Practical Wireless home telephone exchange project in the Feb 1975 issue. This bell looks very similar to a telephone bell, so you might try that. Or try a telephone ringing supply if you have one. Crazy idea, but it is French.... Was it used with a conventional bell push? I could imagine a magneto generator (similar to those in local battery telephones) operated by a lever or crank next to the front door.