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Electric Door Bell

SJVH
Hi all.


I have a Chrome Mechanical Door Bell. (https://www.houseofbrass.co.uk/bells/butlers-bells-pull-accessories/bp32-bp42-pc-butlers-bell-oblong-embossed-bell-pull-mechanical-polished-chrome). I'm still playing about running it flush in the walls with conduits and whatnot.


I am now planning for contingency in case of failure or disappointment with the results. I really like the idea of a modern having a call to the past. Adds character. I really like the idea of the pull knob. It reminds me of my childhood watching repeats of Carry On Screaming on VHS. However if I have to relent and use a push button then I will.


Does anyone know how I could possibly electrify this using a  230V/12V TX or Bell TX. Electronic isn't my area of competency. There is a site on the internet selling a "shaker" but speaking to the owner is costs a lot and has not adaptability and I've heard that the delivery isn't great. I thinking I will need some sort of solenoids.


Please help.


Cheers.
  • 0
    I'd strongly push you away from mains voltages towards batteries or a low voltage DC supply (e.g. 12V or less, for which mains power supplies are available as ready made units. example of a 5volt one.  )

    To stimulate the old bell pull, a solenoid is not quite the thing - it is too fast and the stroke is very short for sensible power- I have however seen it done for theatre, with a slow moving motor and an offset crank. You need a good inch peak to peak of movement, at a speed of a rev or two per second.

    Something like this motor gearbox combo for hobbyists here  may be a good start. Could be hidden inside any suitable plastic or metal box screwed onto the wall, with just the pull-wire emerging from a small hole and running the last foot or so to the bell itself.

    At the door, then you need to convert the pull wire to a switch,  short length of pull wire into a box, and then a strong spring and a push button on the opposite wall of the box, so as you pull, the button is pushed, may do the trick. Maybe via a block of something with a bit of give, and or solid end stops, so that over zealous operation won't break anything.




  • 0
    Sir,

              I am most perturbed to find that you are considering using the newfangled dangerous electricity to operate a door bell. I strongly advise that you desist immediately and use the traditional method as shown in the link below. The results will be most satisfactory and the cost of use free. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIoHujyPCNA


    Z.
  • 0
    Zoom,


    I will try my best but the best I’ve managed is a luckluster tinkle. Really need a proper ring to be heard down the hall.


    Thosw pivots in that video seem ideal!
  • 0

    mapj1:

    I'd strongly push you away from mains voltages towards batteries or a low voltage DC supply (e.g. 12V or less, for which mains power supplies are available as ready made units. example of a 5volt one.  )

    To stimulate the old bell pull, a solenoid is not quite the thing - it is too fast and the stroke is very short for sensible power- I have however seen it done for theatre, with a slow moving motor and an offset crank. You need a good inch peak to peak of movement, at a speed of a rev or two per second.

    Something like this motor gearbox combo for hobbyists here  may be a good start. Could be hidden inside any suitable plastic or metal box screwed onto the wall, with just the pull-wire emerging from a small hole and running the last foot or so to the bell itself.

    At the door, then you need to convert the pull wire to a switch,  short length of pull wire into a box, and then a strong spring and a push button on the opposite wall of the box, so as you pull, the button is pushed, may do the trick. Maybe via a block of something with a bit of give, and or solid end stops, so that over zealous operation won't break anything.




     




    Cheers Mapj!

  • 0
    A continuous length of 10 mm Speedfit water pipe threaded through the building from the entrance to the bell with a length of suitable wire inside it that is not connected to any electric supply of any kind, but actually connecting the pull and the bell allowing the bell to ring when the pull is pulled is the way to do it.


    Andy
  • 0
    Yes indeed that will work. Use stranded steel wire as the push/pull. This is similar to a bike brake cable system.


    Z.
  • 0
    abd5f0af5e628abd5aaa0679029703e9-huge-20190618_222153.jpg

    I just happen to have a Butler Call to hand, it will work better the other way up.
  • 0
    acf695c32287bb04f2fefff9f4c3db08-huge-20190618_223235.jpg

  • 0
    cc24ca8c8c6149ae6bbec53b2921de5f-huge-20190618_223225.jpg

  • 0
    Ah, interesting pics. And some 45 years on, I now know what the little bobbins of wire I dismantled as a child came from,as  those fully brass bits for the flag hangers have a distinctive shape I remember puzzling over.

    At the time I was more interested in the fact the wire was insulated with a varnish so thin I could not see it, but once scratched, the copper was revealed. Had I known a bit more about what it was for I might not have been so destructive.

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