AE90 Phone Help

[KYdealsPR0]

Greetings everyone—

I picked up a black AE90 wall phone yesterday.  Overall in good condition, however the black wiring had a break in the plastic (internal wires were ok — I wrapped with some black electrical tape), and a chip in the screw-on earpiece. 

I have included pictures inside and out and wanted to see if the group had any more info on this particular phone?  It has a Jan. 1975 stamp on the bottom, so I'm assuming it is not an early model.  Is there anywhere I can replace the chipped earpiece, and is it best to leave the wire split, or is there a better repair?

Finally, with the wiring it currently has, how easy would it be to make it operational with a modern phone line?  Is it possible to make it ring and dial?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Jake

[KYdealsPR0]

Pics of the internals.

[RDPipes]

You can get a replacement AE handset cord and receiver cap from Phoneco fairly reasonable.
Phoneco (608) 582-4124 Their website is down but, you can always call them and Mary will help you out.

And yes it can certainly be made to work depending on what type line you have and they make Voip adapters also
for those who don't have a standard landline that accepts pulse dialing.

[TelePlay]

That is a frequency ringer, the bad news, but it is a 25 Hz frequency ringer, the good news, and being so close to the POTS line 20 Hz, should ring on a POTS line. Not sure about VOIP adapters, others can help with that.

[MMikeJBenN27]

You can get a correct Straight-line ringer for it and handset caps from Old Phone Works, and you can get a new handset from Ericofon.com.  You can get a new handset cord from Old Phone Shop and Old Phone Works.  You don't need to convert to modular, just hard-wire phone to jack with stiff line wire, not cords.

Mike

[compubit]

That is a frequency ringer, the bad news, but it is a 25 Hz frequency ringer, the good news, and being so close to the POTS line 20 Hz, should ring on a POTS line. Not sure about VOIP adapters, others can help with that.

Many VoIP adapters will let you set the ringing frequency, especially in the lower range (16-30), though they may go all the way to 60... (I haven't played much with that function, as I have very few frequency ringers, and most are 20 - 30 Hz).

Jim

[stub]

Jake ,
       Nice phone , its a AE 90 M .  AE Circular#1905, 1961 , pg.43.  stub.

[KYdealsPR0]

Thanks to all, I will look for the replacement "cosmetic" parts through the sources you provided. 

I am a bit confused on the wiring.  Please bear with me, I am new to all of this.  I believe my line can handle pulse dialing because I currently have another rotary phone hooked up.

Two questions--Is there an adapter for the line cord considering it is simply a bunch of loose wires?  I am only familiar with modern line-in connectors that would plug right into the wall as-is.

Also, will I need to re-wire the inside to make it work on a modern line?  If so, how would I find out how to re-wire?

Thanks again to all.

[RDPipes]

Thanks to all, I will look for the replacement "cosmetic" parts through the sources you provided. 

I am a bit confused on the wiring.  Please bear with me, I am new to all of this.  I believe my line can handle pulse dialing because I currently have another rotary phone hooked up.

Two questions--Is there an adapter for the line cord considering it is simply a bunch of loose wires?  I am only familiar with modern line-in connectors that would plug right into the wall as-is.

Also, will I need to re-wire the inside to make it work on a modern line?  If so, how would I find out how to re-wire?

Thanks again to all.

Being that you already have a rotary dial phone connected to your existing telephone service you shouldn't have any problems with another.

The hard wire style line cord can be removed and replaced with a modular ended line cord with fork connects at one end to hook up to the same place as the hard wire one came from with the exception we only need to use the Red and Green wires nowadays and it will plug right in to a modular outlet. This also is available at either one of the suppliers mentioned.

Hopefully you won't have to do any rewiring but, the chances are always good that you will but, with all the experience here you shouldn't have a problem finding someone to help when that time comes, if it does.

I also have a AE standard ringer for you to swap out the frequency ringer with if you choose to dive into this project, just let me know via PM sir.

[TelePlay]

This link shows what I use, the whole topic is full of good advice.


http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=18650.msg192108#msg192108

[KYdealsPR0]

Thanks, I reached out to Mary at Phoneco and she is working up an order for a receiver cap, handset cord, and surface mount box to convert the hard wire line to modular.

I read though the link that TelePlay provided, thank you.  Because the insulation is already stripped off the ends of my wires, do I need a spade tip/crimper, or would I just connect the raw wires?

Again, thanks to all.  Getting one step closer here.

[TelePlay]

Because the insulation is already stripped off the ends of my wires, do I need a spade tip/crimper, or would I just connect the raw wires?

It's best to crimp a self piercing open ended spade lug onto a wire which helps to keep the end wire from breaking if flexed. Some seasoned sellers just wrap a wire around a terminal to avoid the few cents cost of installing a spade lug.

If you are not going to do a lot of this type of wire work, the $20 or so cost for the correct crimping tool and a couple of dozen spade lugs won't be worth the investment for you. In that case, cut off the old end and strip off a bit of insulation to get to good wire before wrapping it around a terminal.

Spade lugs make everything so much easier and make the phone look professional if the next owner ever opened up the phone or surface connector. Wrapping wire works as well if just doing a few connections for yourself. I personally would never sell a phone without all connections being spade lugs.

It's up to you, it's your phone.

[FABphones]

Have to say, I agree with the above post. I have opened several phones to find bare wrapped wires around terminals. Makes me immediately think 'what else has this phone been through'.

Kits are cheaply available with various size spades and crimping tool. Doesn't take long to do and makes a nicer end result. IIRC my first kit cost me less than a tenner, in a small container to keep everything tidy in.

[KYdealsPR0]

Thanks gents, when I get my parts, I will evaluate everything and "make the call" on which route to go.  Obviously the spade lugs will make everything look nicer, just need to think through if I will be doing enough of these in the future to justify the kit.

[TelePlay]

If you are considering a crimper and spade lugs, this is one of the better of quite a few crimper topics:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4071.msg175922#msg175922

This link to a crimper search on eBay, from reply #57, showed many on eBay for $13 with free shipping from a US seller:

eBay HS-202B Crimper Search


I get lugs from DigiKey (link in the topic reply) which states there (quite inexpensive in bulk, 100 or more are below 10 cents each, and fast delivery) that are easily cut apart with a small wire cutter from the cut tape length you order:

"As of this post, the 22-28 gauge self piercing spade lug connectors can be purchased in bulk for a good price from DigiKey. These spade lugs are about $0.08 each from DigiKey, cheapest I've found anywhere, at the 250 quantity price break. I bought 250 from them for $17.57 plus $1.06 tax and $3.21 shipping for a total $21.84 or $0.087 each. They are yellow in color.

    https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/te-connectivity-amp-connectors/61498-1/A29922CT-ND/294360

They sell 100 for $8.15 plus $3.36 shipping plus tax for about $12.50 or $0.125 each. Hard to find them cheaper anywhere, unless you just want a few and don't mind paying a bit more for less inventory you will never use.

They also have this in light gray for a little bit more ($20.77 for 250 light grey and $9.64 for 100 - both plus tax and $3.36 shipping).

    https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/te-connectivity-amp-connectors/61498-2/A29923CT-ND/294361 "