sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems Antique Telephones Ringing an Automatic Electric Company Model 40 Telephone

I own a marvelous old Automatic Electric Company Model 40 Telephone:
https://xenon.arcticus.com/automatic-electric-company-model-40-telephone

I recently patched an RJ11 cord into it and put it online again. It works nicely (after I figured out which of the three terminals inside should connect to tip and ring). It's neat that somewhere inside my telco's modern switch there's still a working pulse decoder.

However, what I haven't gotten to work is inbound ringing. I've examined the internal wiring as best as I can (a circuit diagram is even included!) and it seems to be intact and correct. I don't see any places where the ringer could be intentionally disconnected.

I'm wondering if maybe my modern switch just doesn't kick enough current to drive these old mechanical bells. I don't know any sort of official ringer impedance for it.

I can provide more detailed photos if needed. I'm relatively knowledgeable with electronics, computers and phones, but I'm not a phone guru.

https://www.telephonecollectors.org/library/aeco/AE4050.pdf


Make sure the ringer is connected across the tip and ring (L1&L2) inside the set. You would move the ringer lead from y to x as in the picture. Since you changed the cord this would be the place to connect the ringer across the line for metallic ringing.

it could easily be a party line /cycle ringer that wont work on the SL ring signal sent today

The model 40 was used aboard US Naval vessels a least 40 years. All were equipped with handset locking devices. They were connected to AE's strowger based switching and in later years Stromberg-Carlson's X-Y switching system. All operated at 90v 20cycle. We could party line a phone by connecting the ringer to the "g" lead and connecting the other ringer lead to either L1 or L2. If you a 222 number the party line would be 922. Minor switch action always designated this. Sorry for the trip down memory lane! Back to the issue... Everything is readily accessible and you have a schematic. Get your multi-meter out and go to work! There's only 3 things in the circuit.. hook switch contacts, ringer coil and capacitor!