I recently purchased a GTE Automatic Electric Payphone model 82-55. The wire, which plugs into the wall, has been damaged and needs to be replaced. It has a modular end on it so I think that may have been converted to a home phone???? But I really have no idea. I THINK this has a 29S lock, but I don't know. Does anyone have an idea what lock I have and where I might find a key?
Iggy
Try turning the lock carefully with a screwdriver. The lock may have been modified so a key is not needed.
There are 7 (maximum) screws on the lower part of the back of the phone. Sometimes 2 of them are screwed from inside the phone, so that there is no slot for a screwdriver. However, if you see slots in all the screws, then you can remove the back. This will allow you to remove the upper housing and inspect the (29-S?) lock.
The lock is a 29s and it is probably not modified I have the keys for sale if you want one just personal message me. Jim
Quote from: Kpkube on September 21, 2017, 12:18:37 PM
Try turning the lock carefully with a screwdriver. The lock may have been modified so a key is not needed.
Hey, that worked! Thanks for that tip. I don't know why I didn't think of that. Meanwhile I took a chance and ordered a key from E-Bay earlier today... Oh well.
I took the upper part off of the phone, then there were 2 bolts holding the rest of the phone to the back board. I removed the phone from the booth. I found there were only 2 of the 3 wires hooked up to the phone (the damaged wire had 3 conductors in it). I will go and buy some spade connectors before I replace the wires.
There were several coins piled up inside and I could see (somewhat) into the coin box, which appears to be empty. According to what I have found, I suspect the phone has already been "converted" so as not to need a coin. Otherwise those coins would have ended up in either the coin box, or the coin return..... right?
Is there a way to determine the year this phone was made? I looked all over and did not see a year stamped anywhere. And one other thing, there is a blank place on the front where a instruction card would have gone. Is it possible to get a replacement? It doesn't have to be the actual one that belongs there, but anything would look better than a blank space, I think. Maybe there is a download somewhere??
I have attached some pictures.
Iggy
Welcome to the forum! You are right about the phone being altered for home use. There is a ringer installed on the coin hopper in place of the coin relay. Payphones generally don't have internal ringers. This is later version of the AE payphone based on the hopper type for a single-coil relay, and that circuit board on the back plate. Others here will know much more than I do, including pointers to get it working. Paul