Doorbell question.

[splitshot]

Remodel job. Continuity issue replacing old push button switch with a lighted one.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Remodel job. Continuity issue replacing old push button switch with a lighted one.

Well get some continuity and I'm sure it will be fine if not illuminating.

 

[splitshot]

Well get some continuity and I'm sure it will be fine if not illuminating.

We have continuity via the illumantion and a constant feed to to chimes, before I pull those off the wall, I was hoping you guys could save me some troubleshoot time.

 

[-Spike-]

Could you be a little less ambiguous about your problem? What's your doorbell doing/not doing?

 

[fieldsken1]

i hear you knocking and you cant come in

 

[D'Animal]

The light on the button works but the chime does not?

 

[splitshot]

Old non illuminated push button works fine but is sun baked. New lighted one(s) make the ringing of the chimes constant.

 

[-Spike-]

I assume you've tried reversing the wires, if not try it (wild guess). Is this an electronic chime, or mechanical? I'm guessing electronic. I'd try to find an online manual and check the wiring diagram, something like that. I've seen this before, but can't remember the circumstances.

 

[splitshot]

I assume you've tried reversing the wires, if not try it (wild guess). Is this an electronic chime, or mechanical? I'm guessing electronic. I'd try to find an online manual and check the wiring diagram, something like that. I've seen this before, but can't remember the circumstances.

Tried the wire swap, I would guess electronic also. I'll know more when I get back over there. Thanks

 

[-Spike-]

By electronic, I mean it plays melodies through a speaker, rather than chimes by striking bars. The mechanical ones are very simple, can't imagine you having a problem with one of those. Close the contact, solenoid pulls the hammer into one bar, open the circuit and the hammer springs back and hits the other bar, I don't see how it could do this continuously. Electronic, the thing might sense the bulb in the circuit as a short, trigger the chime. If it's old you might be forced to replace it, it might not play well with a lighted push, or cut the bulb lead off and use it dark..

 

[splitshot]

Electronic, the thing might sense the bulb in the circuit as a short, trigger the chime. If it's old you might be forced to replace it, it might not play well with a lighted push, or cut the bulb lead off and use it dark..

Exactly.
Whats crazy, the bulb doesn't have a seperate lead, same as the not illuminated, just 2 terminals. But also makes sense that the chimes are electronic because the feedback from the bulb (although a tiny amount of continuity), it is completing the circut, Right?

We'll see, I'll post up later with an answer or more questions.

 

[-Spike-]

I'm not completely sure how the bulbs work, but they may be neon IIRC, somehow don't require a complete circuit to operate. Has something to do with the current being AC. Maybe your chime is DC. Get a multimeter out and see what you've got. There must be an ih8doorknockers site somewhere that will give you the info you need.

 

[splitshot]

I'm not completely sure how the bulbs work, but they may be neon IIRC, somehow don't require a complete circuit to operate. Has something to do with the current being AC. Maybe your chime is DC. Get a multimeter out and see what you've got. There must be an ih8doorknockers site somewhere that will give you the info you need.

, IIRC, it was 8v DC. Called the homeowner, chimes were purchased in 1990 and they have the manual.

 

[-Spike-]

Yeah, I don't think DC can support a light without both poles. Worst case, snip the wire to the bulb.

 

[Spook50]

i hear you knocking and you cant come in

I knew a Jehovah's Witness who would always get pissed off when I'd ignore his knock-knock jokes.

 

[splitshot]

Two wiring options with these chimes; transformer or 2 9v batteries. this one was set up with the later.

Makes sense..

Spike, thanks..

Little minor surgery, cut it's heart out.

 

[se2000]

You may need a higher voltage/ higher current transformer to use it with a lighted button