Vintage electromagnet doorbell wiring

Mikeybean · Oct 4, 2019

Hello there, I come to seek advice from vintage electrically minded people.

I have been tasked with wiring a vintage IBEX doorbell up in our house and cant seem to get it to work.

Before I go on here is some useful information:

I am unsure what voltage the doorbell actually is.
I have it wired up to a Axiom 8v transformer currently.
Contacts 2 and 3 were bridged when we bought it.
Each electromagnet works individually (pass current through each individually and it draws the contact attached to the arm.
Our electrician is at a loss as to how to get it to work.
Tried every combination of wires on contacts, just doesnt alternate between the electromagnets as expected.

Would really appreciate it anyone had any ideas as to what to do?

Kind regards, Mike

[ElectriciansForums.net] Vintage electromagnet doorbell wiring

snowhead · Oct 4, 2019

That's an extension bell for phones.
You're way out on the voltage and I wouldn't want to be inside a house if that rang, it's meant for warehouses or other open spaces.

Not too dissimilar to this;

GPO - BELL No. 64

www.britishtelephones.com

Mikeybean · Oct 4, 2019

snowhead said:
That's an extension bell for phones.
You're way out on the voltage and I wouldn't want to be inside a house if that rang, it's meant for warehouses or other open spaces.

Snowhead, thanks for your response. This makes sense as to how I can't make it work! haha

Can you think of a way I could wire it up so it works? What voltage would it likely be do you think?

Thanks,

Mike.

snowhead · Oct 4, 2019

Telephone ring voltage was 75v D.C, pulsing on and off, something like 60 / 40. on / off.

telectrix · Oct 4, 2019

phone bell ring voltage is about 90V a.c.

UKMeterman · Oct 4, 2019

If you realy want it to work then you will need something to step the 12V up to about 50V or so and also be a 25Hz bridge driver, it can be done but it is a lot of work, do you know how to program a microcontroller? If however you just want a loud door bell, try FB/012/G | Grey Solenoid Fire Bell, Single Tone, 95dB at 1 Metre, 12 V dc | RS Components - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/bells/0250384/ it will wake the dead...