AE 50 jukebox telephone

[RDub]

When I was 9 years old we moved from the city out into the Sticks. This was back in 1961. Our first phone, out there, was an AE model 50. I want to get one just like it but there doesn't seem to be very much detailed information about them. I want a private ringer not the party line system that we had back then. My question is; can you tell what the phone is set up for by the stenciled model number on the back side of the unit? Where is a good place to find detailed info on this model? RDub...

[poplar1]

Here is a photo of a frequency-selective ringer used on party lines. Oldphoneworks has it listed as a straight line ringer but the picture shows otherwise:
http://www.oldphoneworks.com/automatic-electric-ringer-assembly.html

[poplar1]

Another harmonic ringer for party lines
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4320.msg55906#msg55906

[poplar1]

Here are two Automatic Electric "straight line" ringers used in the model 40 desk set and the model 50 wall set. This is the type you need.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=11256.msg120198#msg120198
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2070.msg27715#msg27715

[poplar1]

Perhaps Terry or stub can tell you what numbers to look for on the back.


Here is a nice AE 50--
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2066.msg27683#msg27683

[AE_Collector]

There are various indicators on the back of some AE50's. Some don't have any numbering on them that can be deciphered. Also, the numbering is far from a guarantee. These phones were deployed and redeployed as they lasted for a long time. Ringers were changed in the field as required for the particular installation and subscribers were sometimes changed to a different party on the line at the Telco's whim.

In the picture of the phone in the link that Poplar1 provided there is an "SL" for Straight Line ringer in the coding. There were variations in the makeup of the coding over the years but SL is the ringer you want. But remember, that isn't a guarantee of what ringer is inside.

Terry

[jsowers]

Judging from the pictures posted and personal experience growing up using these phones, it looks like one way to tell a frequency ringer from a straight line ringer is the adjustable clapper. Note the setscrews in the part that hits the bells. That would denote a frequency ringer. Some frequency ringers have huge, stiff cylindrical brass clappers. These helped tune it to the proper frequency and required adjustment so they would ring when the proper frequency was sent down the line.

My grandmother had an AE50 my entire childhood, so I have lots of memories of that phone. We were on the same party line, living next door. Her ring was much more pleasant than ours, on our AE40. I'm thinking she had a higher frequency and we had a low one that sounded more like a thrumming sound. I don't remember her phone ever having a problem. We were on the party line until they did away with them about 1983 and the phone company replaced Granny's AE50 with a black SC 554. Granny died in 1990. Her house is vacant and to this day you can see the outline of the AE50 on the wall where it was painted around, and the modular wall jack for the replacement phone.

[AE_Collector]

For sure, if there is a picture of the ringer, a frequency ringer is very easy to differentiate from a straight line ringer. As Jonathan says, the clapper always has a set screw to adjust its position and at the other end of the ringer the mounting (armature?) has a knurled adjusting gizmo and is very sticky mounted on a flat piece of spring steel. There is never a volume adjustment mechanism on a frequency ringer but if course there are SL ringers that don't have a volume adjustment either.

Terry

[RDub]

Thanks guys. Pictures and comments were most helpful. Still, I would like a technical book on AE telephones. Is there anything out there? RDub...

[TelePlay]

For sure, if there is a picture of the ringer, a frequency ringer is very easy to differentiate from a straight line ringer. As Jonathan says, the clapper always has a set screw to adjust its position and at the other end of the ringer the mounting (armature?) has a knurled adjusting gizmo and is very sticky mounted on a flat piece of spring steel. There is never a volume adjustment mechanism on a frequency ringer . . .

My AE frequency ringer does indeed have a volume control or adjustment, and it's the only way it can be done.   

The ringer is mounted to the box, the clapper protruded through the top. The gongs are mounted on bracket that can be moved in or out. To get my ringer to work, the gongs had to be moved as close to the ringer as possible.

Pictures posted to go along with what AE_Collector explained in text. You can see the knurled nut and reed in one photo.

[TelePlay]

Still, I would like a technical book on AE telephones. Is there anything out there? RDub...

Have you explored the TCI library?

http://www.telephonecollectors.info/

They have AE wiring diagrams and Tech Bulletins. Use the "Browse the Library" drop down menu to find them.

[AE_Collector]

Just on the topic of AE telephone sets eliminating all the other telephony related products manufactured and marketed by AE, over the years there have been a lot of catalogs. A few are available right here for download. The later 4055 series of catalogs will cover AE 40's and 50's.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2959.0

Terry