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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details. |
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2nd Feb 2018, 10:18 am | #1 |
Pentode
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 152
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Byron doorbell
I bought a Byron doorbell the other day - it is appalling quality. Just a warning really.
The screws it is supplied with are rubbish pozi headed brass coloured jobbies, the button mechanism itself is prone to coming undone and depositing the porcelain button onto the pavement, the text "press" rubs off and the worst bit - you have to REALLY shove the button to make the contact - which most of my visitors do not seem minded to do. |
2nd Feb 2018, 10:23 am | #2 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 656
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Re: Byron doorbell
and it looks so nice in the picture!
Martin |
2nd Feb 2018, 11:41 am | #3 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,289
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Re: Byron doorbell
Agreed. I have a very similar Bryon bell push and the button is forever popping out and ending up on the door step.
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
2nd Feb 2018, 11:45 am | #4 |
Pentode
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 152
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Re: Byron doorbell
And do you have the same problem with it requiring a ridiculously hard push?
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2nd Feb 2018, 11:50 am | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,865
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Re: Byron doorbell
My 1930s brass bell-push needed replacing; the wooden patress had rotted and rainwater had got into the mechanism and the springy metal strips had corroded and snapped. The Bakelite threaded base had also swollen and distorted. However, the heavy cast brass cover was fine.
After looking at the awful modern repros, I bought a high-quality, NO, weatherproof, panel-mount, momentary-action switch from CPC (not cheap at >£12): http://cpc.farnell.com/otto-controls...P=TREML007-003 I fitted this to the original brass cover using an extra O-ring to make it fit snugly, discarded the wooden and Bakelite bits and simply attached the cover directly to the brick wall with a thin bead of brown silicone. It looks great, works a treat, and I have every confidence it will last for many years. It has a lovely, tactile action. Last edited by Nickthedentist; 2nd Feb 2018 at 11:56 am. |
2nd Feb 2018, 11:53 am | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,536
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Re: Byron doorbell
Is the escutcheon actually brass ?
How about a pic of the "works" so we can all offer helpful(?) suggestions to sort it out? Edit: Nick's suggestion seems to be the biz. Pic of the crapite would be interesting anyway.
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2nd Feb 2018, 11:53 am | #7 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,289
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Re: Byron doorbell
No. It does have a tendency to stick on though. Not good with a bing bong type bell as it holds the magnet energised. You only notice when you hear the mains hum.
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
2nd Feb 2018, 12:50 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Edinburgh, UK.
Posts: 3,274
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Re: Byron doorbell
I have an old Victorian bell push that doesn't fall apart but does need a firm press. Our local locksmith does sell a range of bell pushes but I have never tested any. https://www.inbrass.co.uk/acatalog/doorbells.html
Peter |
2nd Feb 2018, 1:08 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,865
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Re: Byron doorbell
You also see salvaged originals in "antiques centres" and in open-air markets sometimes. Not cheap, but...
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2nd Feb 2018, 4:25 pm | #10 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Solihull, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 4,872
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Re: Byron doorbell
I seem to recall that Byron wireless bells need a firm push too. Maybe their button designer has big hands?
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2nd Feb 2018, 6:44 pm | #11 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Edinburgh, UK.
Posts: 805
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Re: Byron doorbell
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2nd Feb 2018, 6:55 pm | #12 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Portland, Dorset, UK.
Posts: 874
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Re: Byron doorbell
Agreed, our wireless one has been up for over 10 years, as the base plugs in it's only needed a few batteries in the transmitter, plus my gran's wired one has been up for probably longer than I've been alive and the only thing that has failed is the cable that goes to the push button.
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3rd Feb 2018, 4:40 pm | #13 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: Byron doorbell
I use a 'stick through the door frame' wind up doorbell, yet to fail. Back on topic... I have three push buttons on my motorcycle (aftermarket, added by me for the radio) much the same as Nicks CPC one but less than quid each from eBay, they have lasted a few years now outside all the time and not under a porch. I did take one apart before making the thing, well sealed and with sprung (with a proper spring) silver contacts.
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