Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Identification, Repair & Restoration => Telephone Troubleshooting and Repair => Topic started by: john777 on August 26, 2014, 05:51:59 PM

Title: rewiring a 706 switchboard phone
Post by: john777 on August 26, 2014, 05:51:59 PM
Hello
I have just acquired an old UK 709 switchboard which I would like to convert to use on modern Bt plug and socket
I attach a couple of pictures.
the wiring is far more complicated than a usual 709 as there are multiple buttons on the case as well as a light and re-call button
My approach to this is as follows.
Remove the large cord and all the wires and replace with a normal 4 wire cord.
take out the wires for the light and the re-call buttons
Take out the wires for the multiple buttons in the case
Then re-wire according to the standard 706/746 wiring diagram
Just wondered if anyone could offer me any other useful advice for this.  Also there is a small metal box with a resistor on it where the cords come in. Does anyone know what this is and what it does
Many thanks
Title: Re: rewiring a 706 switchboard phone
Post by: twocvbloke on August 26, 2014, 06:49:44 PM
It's actually a 710 (or a non-GPO equivalent) I believe, rather than a 706, converting this to a regular phone is as with any other 700 series:

http://www.britishtelephones.com/pstconv1.htm#700

Of course, converting means you lose the functions of the buttons and lamps, so it'll basically end up being a 706 with buttons and lamps... :)
Title: Re: rewiring a 706 switchboard phone
Post by: twocvbloke on August 26, 2014, 07:09:27 PM
Actually, before you start modifying the phone, could you get some more photos of it both inside and out (including any stamps/dates on the base)? I've not seen anything like that myself, looks rather interesting inside...
Title: Re: rewiring a 706 switchboard phone
Post by: HarrySmith on August 26, 2014, 08:24:03 PM
I would have to agree, it looks like an interesting variation I am not familiar with, leave it as is! If you want a regular one they seem to be fairly easy to find as I see them a lot on eBay and are fairly cheap.