Gray/early AE schematics

[Russ62]

Hi   I'm looking for a copy of the original schematic for a Gray or early production A.E 150GJ handset paystation I mean the original setup with 6 transfer contacts in the upper housing and using a separate subset box, but not the ones often seen on Ebay upgraded by Sasktel with a Princess type network and a fiber term. strip. This would most likely be found in a General System Practices from the 1940s or early 1950s or other independent phone co. manual, but not in the Bell System practices at the document repository and other online resources as Bell apparently used 174G conversions instead of 150GJs' Also helpful might be the actual A.E tech bulletin - 499 Ron Knappen refers to in his payhone history book detailing how to convert early paystations to 10 cent operation.    Thanks      Russell

[G-Man]

It's more likely you will find it in an Automatic Electric Technical Bulletin or Practice.
If you are unable to obtain help here it would be advisable to contact one of the early payphone gurus such as Dick Pitzer or Jim Engles* over on the TCI or ATCA list. These guys have an extensive collection with accompanying parts and documentation of very early paystations.



*(Jim was the head of Cincinnati Bell's payphone department and was one of the collectors that came across a legendary hoard of dozens of 2-piece paystations.)

[G-Man]

Automatic Electric purchased the Gray Paystation Company in 1948.

The 1950 A.E. catalog describes the following-

                                           Autelco-Gray Standard Paystations

The 150 Series has circuit designed for a dial with make-break shunt-spring combination. Equipped with Western Electric dial unless otherwise specified. Requires ringer box and ringer box cord. Wiring diagram included.

Service
Prepay

Operation           Series

Automatic         *150GJ
Manual             *150GJ

*Specify whether for automatic or manual operation.

KITS FOR CONVERSION FROM 5- TO 10-CENT SERVICE

Conversion kits are engineered to give maximum ease of installation and minimum out-of-use time. Minor re-wiring may be required to adapt existing paystations to 10-cent service. Specific instructions furnished. (When a new coin chute is supplied with a prepay conversion kit, an allowance will be made for the return of your old chute.

CONVERT IN TWO STAGES

Usually we recommend that conversations be made in two stages. A typical lower-half assembly of the paystation requires only slight modification plus a few wiring changes. In most cases all you need is a screw-driver and pliers.
Changes in the upper housing are slightly more extensive and should be made in the shop. We suggest you establish a stock of converted upper housing assemblies. Then exchange these in the field for un-converted housings, to be brought back to the shop for conversion. This minimizes out-of-use time.

EASY-TO-FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
Detailed instructions and a clearly drawn circuit diagram are included with each conversion kit. To avoid errors when ordering, specify the quantity and code number of each type of paystation to be converted. The paystation code number is stamped on the patent plate on top of upper housing (behind coin gauge)

HAVE YOUR PAYSTATIONS REPAIRED OR CONVERTED BY A.E.

If you want your paystation repaired or converted to another service including local prepay, send them to us. In our modern plant they will receive prompt, expert attention. Send your paystations and a separate letter of instructions to Automatic Electric Sales Corporation, Northlake, Illinois.

[G-Man]

More-

The Gray 150-GJ is a two-piece Gray 150G that has been converted to a handset model. It was originally equipped with a Western Electric dial and shroud along with an A.E. 34 handset. When converted to 10-cent operation it most likely is fully coded as either 150GJ-10 for dime only operation or 150GJ-55 indicating it will accept either a dime or two nickels.

Another contact is Bob Bartlett who wrote an article for the TCI newsletter – The  150GJ-55 Payphone.