yard sale finds

[Phonesrfun]

On the key set, you were wondering if the was something someone just put together.  My reply would be yes and no.  Key systems were, by design, meant to be very versitile with literally millions of different configuration possibilities.  The installers at the time for key systems were specialists in their own field.

There were options available on the phones, on the key systems, on the line cards and the list goes on.  Who knows what this was used for, I do not know.  It was probably configured in the field and probably properly so.  The device riding on the top of the ringer is an early model buzzer that was used for signalling within an office or work group.  The ringer would have signified an incoming call from the outside, and the buzzer would signal to the individual that a call was for them.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

[Dennis Markham]

For my two cents worth I'll just add that the ringer from the A.E. 80 appears to be a frequency ringer at 42Hz.  It's not going to ring.

[bwanna]

bill thanks for the info. on closer inspection, i see it has a 12pr line cord. i also don't think that is the correct housing. the base& handset &parts are all dated 1955. the housing is hard plastic w/ square openings for the buttons.   

dennis, why not?

[Dennis Markham]

Many of those ringers were designed for selective ringing....like for party line use.  Each subscriber on the line would have a different frequency ringer.  So when the call was for your phone with the 42hz ringer that's what the phone company would send down the line.  The technical guys have explained this better but anything more than 20hz won't work today.  Now there are some modifications that can be made I am told to the A.E. ringers that will allow them to work somewhat or close to properly but I am not the person to address that.  Time for Jorge to chime in on this one.

Here are a couple threads where this was discussed:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=947.msg11473#msg11473

In fact, here's a posting where Jorge explains it:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1153.msg14720#msg14720

[bwanna]

thanks, dennis. if one had the proper ringer, could it be used to replace this ringer? or is there a configuration between the ringer & network that would prevent this?

[Dennis Markham]

Donna, the answer is yes.  If you can find a 20hz or "straight line" ringer for the AE40 it is easy to replace it.  I don't think I have an extra one but have bought them off eBay in the past. I'll keep my eyes open for one and let you know when I see one.

[Dan/Panther]

Bwanna;
I'll check my box I have 4 NOS AE40 ringers, of different Hz values. If I have the 20- I'll send it to you.
D/P

[bwanna]

hey d/p! you're alright thanks

[Dan/Panther]

Bwanna;
Here is the ringer, I think it's the one you need. If so let me know by PM, and I will send it to you.
D/P

[bwanna]

thx d/p..... but i don't know a thing about the AEs.  dennis or jorge, is this what i need?

[JorgeAmely]

That is a 20 Hz frequency ringer for an AE80 phone.

[bingster]

The very large clapper is the giveaway for that one.  Even though it's 20 cycles, it's coupled to a 7MF condenser which is way more than the one used in normal service, if I ain't mistook.

[JorgeAmely]

Bingster and Donna:

That is a 20 Hz frequency ringer with a 0.7 microfarad capacitor. I have an AE80 with exactly the same ringer and it works fine.

Bingster is correct though; in a straight line ringer, the capacitor used for today's modern lines ringing at 20 Hz is typically 0.47 microfarads. It just happens to be a standard capacitor value.

Capacitors are interesting devices. They are like little reservoirs where charge is stored, just like water is stored behind a dam.

[Dan/Panther]

My guess is that with .7 Mfd capacitor is matched to the coil which is matched to the ringer. The ringer is all original so I'm sure it just a heftier coil.
D/P

[bwanna]

thank you for your help, guys.   d/p i will PM you.