Hello,


I am a percussionist in Chicago and I have a Western Electric 2500 MMG that I need to make ring for a sound effect. I have removed the ringer assembly and mounted it onto a board. There is a black wire and a red wire. I’ve tried 8 volts, 9, 12 and up to 30 volts with nothing more than a twitch of the clapper.

What I need to know is – how much voltage do I need to pump through this thing to get it to ring?!

ring current is (and I might be off a little) 90 to 110 V at 30 cycles, not your standard 60 cycles. An old 1A2 power supply or a ring down circuit would provide the correct power.
You might post your question in the 1A2 forum and get a better answer. One of those guys could probably dig up an old power supply for you for cheap too.

Mark

Mark is correct here. Despite the fact that these ringers operate on voltages similar to that of a standard electrical outlet, they are frequency-sensitive so the 60 cycles received from an electrical outlet won't really help you. These ringers only respond to alternating current (AC), not DC which is provided by batteries. They usually respond to 20-33 cycles.

Do you just need to borrow a ring generator for this application? I am sure we can arrange a loan or rental of one if you just need it temporarily. Just post back and someone here will assist you.

WOW! Those were fast replys! Thanks for all of the info, Mark and Ed.

I would need this power supply for an extended amount of time (months!). And, as I often get called upon to supply sound effects (telephone particularly, for some reason) I would probably go ahead and purchase one, provided I won't have to remortgage the home!

I will post on the forum you suggested, Mark.

Thanks VERY much, guys, you saved the day.

Sincerely,
Rich A.
Chicago

The old bell system 515-key system had a power supply that would put out 48V and that was used for ringing.

Rich:

Perhaps the least expensive solution to your need will be to purchase a Viking Electronics PS48-RG which is available from any local telephone equipment supply house. You should be able to locate a Graybar Electric branch in you area that will sell it to you.

That's what I was thinking, a ring down circuit would be cheap and easy if he understands how to make it work. You could put in a switch to simulate an off hook condition with the phone or ringer on the other end.
Mark

Here's another idea entirely---get a manual telephone magneto. About $50 from Phoneco
https://www.phonecoinc.com

Hook it up to any phone, give that crank a spin and ring them bells till yer ears bleed. You could even set up a patch panel and ring different kinds of phones/ringers.

You can not only do regular ringing cadences, but those weird Brit ring-ring ones, interrogate suspects, herd redworms, amaze your friends and annoy your neighbors.

jsaxe

why not just run a phone line to the phone and call it when you need to ?

not sure if the magneto would work , phones where all party line in those days so you would need one with sl ring

Radio Shack makes a 110 to 80vac xformer that is 20 hertz . Then buy a DPDT switch . for 10 bucks youre good to go !

DJ:

How in the world can a transformer convert the AC frequency? U.S. 60 Hz AC at 120 volts input equals 60 Hz output, no matter what the output voltage is. That's why ring generators are so blasted expensive since they include the necessary coils and capacitors to modify the frequency down to the 20-30 Hz frequency that traditional ringers respond to.

Do I need to send you some senior citizen pills?

If you can build your own circuits, here's a nice 30 cycle ring generator with interrupted ringing:

https://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/page11.htm

scroll down to "Telephone Ring Generator Using Small Power Transformer"

Okay, STUPID suggestion ----- :p

Why not E-Bay a Panasonic KXTA 624 then he would have his choice of the North American one long ring, the Euro "ring-ring", or what ever miscellanous ring combos he'd like. They are cheap, pick up the correct telephone set for the ringer tone desired, and away you go. :shrug:

KLD

cell phones have a ringer you can download free (at least Sprint) that is the old time (pots) ring.

Remember guys, this gentlemen is a percussionist, as in an orchestra. That means he HAS to 'keep the beat'. I defy you to make a called phone ring at 'just the right time'! John C

John,

What do you think? A foot pedaled control of a one-shot controlling a timed relay based ringer?

No, you're making it too complicated. My guess is he'd get along fine with a foot switch that could handle 90V 20-30 Htz @ 1/4 amp. Probably an old dictation transcription footswitch from a Harris Lanier or Code-A-Phone.
Explain your 'tag line', I guess I'm too old to get it! John C


Are we having fun yet?

maybe a bit complicated, but i meant download the ringer, friggin' record to an 8 track tape, and play on key (demand)!