Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Switching => Intercom & Interphone Systems => Topic started by: VictrolaMan on February 27, 2012, 12:17:00 PM

Title: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on February 27, 2012, 12:17:00 PM
Hey,
Brand new to forum but long time collector - true dummy collector. I have always had to pay someone else do my wiring and it is now time to learn. Just got a set of 1915ish S.H. Couch intercoms that are complete. They have 3 numbered posts. When I hook 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, and add a battery source to #2 on one set & #1 on the other the bells ring on opposite set when button is smashed - but no voice. Can ya'll assist me in how to wire these? I can send pics if needed. Thanks very much.
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Owain on February 28, 2012, 12:27:32 PM
pics would be helpful.

And please don't smash the button. It's not the button's fault.  :)
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on February 28, 2012, 04:13:14 PM
Hey,
Sorry, Southern boy and we smash or mash buttons - I guess "push" is better understood. No clue how to load pictures but they are available here on my website: www.VictrolaShop.com under Couch on page 1 under CONTACT US.
I truly appreciate any assistance.

EDIT:  Images added for posterity
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on February 28, 2012, 04:15:37 PM
This may work:
http://www.victrolashop.com/couch.html
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Bill on February 28, 2012, 06:07:45 PM
I can't quite read the Patent Number on the back, but if you take it to USPTO.gov, it should tell you everything you need to know. Or is it a Patent Date?

Bill
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on February 29, 2012, 07:38:40 AM
Hey friend,
Thanks very much for your kind reply.
It is not a patent number but says U.S. Pat. Sept 13, 1915 so I reckon I am back to square one.
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on February 29, 2012, 07:40:21 AM
I'll help any of ya'll fix your broken Victrola if you can help me with this project!
Thanks
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on February 29, 2012, 10:40:55 AM
When it comes to wiring I confess to be dumb as a box of hammers but if anyone can advise I'll try their idea. Thanks again!
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: dpaynter1066 on February 29, 2012, 12:35:52 PM
Victrolaman I am looking for a circuit schematic to share with you but have found  no real info yet.  


It looks a lot like a conneticut duplex telephone      http://tinyurl.com/6wusetn (http://tinyurl.com/6wusetn)

It appears that you have the following:
Microphone(transmitter)
Earpiece(receiver)
Low voltage bell (a buzzer with a bell hammer)
A normally open pushbutton.
a hook switch

Is there a coil (transformer) ?
Is there a capacitor (can with 2 or more wires)?

is the button connected to one wire and when pushed connected to a different wire?
How many wires does it appear to have had connecting it to the other station? 2 or 4 or more?

one way intercoms can be wired is:
station 1 battery to station 1 Transmitter to station 2 Receiver
station 2 battery to station 2 transmitter to station 1 Receiver
This circut has the problem of degrading the magnetism in the earpiece over time and using more wires so is generally not preferred.

A more usual and preffered way of doing it is to use a coil (transformer)

Station 1 battery to station 1 Transmitter to coil primary then back to battery / Coil secondary to station 2 receiver
Station 2 battery to station 2 Transmitter to coil primary then back to battery / Coil secondary to station 1 receiver

Battery would be 3 volts dc.  The bell should ring on 3volts dc, perhaps 6 or 12v

OR it could be wired like a telephone with everything in series, which is the best circuit as it only needs two wires.
Just musing, cant speak definitively on the subject.
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on February 29, 2012, 04:38:06 PM
Thanks - when I get into my shop tomorrow I will try all the info and reply. Really appreciate this!
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on March 01, 2012, 11:19:42 AM
There is no capacitor nor a coil other than those for the bells. I tried the first suggestion and got zip. There was only 1 scew for the mothpiece and I did not know where to put the other pole of the battery and nothing seemed to work. I tried the "series" but nothing there. Then I wired #1 on set 1 to #1 on set #2, #2-#2, #3-#3, and the mouthpiece to the other mouthpiece. I put a 6V to #1 on set 1 and #2 on set 2 and the bells worked as they should but no voice. When the hook was depressed I heard a loud click thru the earpieces and static continued - but no voice transmission. As for the second suggestion it is technically above my "box of hammers" electrical mind as I have no idea what a primary coil is or how to wire to it. I guess there was a reason I had to pay others to wire my old telephones.....:(  Any other suggestions would be welcomed or (even if I have to get help) a schematic might do. Thanks for the ideas - ya'll are some bright folks - wish it rubbed off.
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on March 01, 2012, 01:49:45 PM
I also tried the setup for the Conn set and used #1, #2, #3 in place of the B,BL, & L and hooked up 3V to each set. Bells worked on opposite sets when button smashed - oops! "pushed" but no sound over receivers. Once I accidentally toched the bell coil with the #3 wire and there was a LOT of loud static from the earpiece and it sounded like a faint sound was transmitted but then no bells. Can anyone tell me more?
Thanks very much!
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Russ Kirk on March 01, 2012, 01:55:51 PM
can you please include some photos of your couch set.  i have a couple and don't know what type of set you're talking about.
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: dpaynter1066 on March 01, 2012, 08:39:07 PM
Russ, he posted a link in an earlier message to see his photos.  Do you have hookup info?

try permutating the wires


1  2  3
B  BL  L =   bell works correctly, no sound when off hook

1  2  3
L  B   BL  =  ?

1  2  3
BL L  B = ?
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on March 05, 2012, 07:36:45 AM
I will try this today and reply again - thanks!
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: VictrolaMan on March 05, 2012, 02:40:50 PM
No luck - thanks to all for your help. I'm mailing it to someone to wire for me. Thanks again. Wish I had your knowledge!
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Nick in Manitou on February 23, 2014, 05:06:30 PM
VictrolaMan,

I know that this thread has been dormant for a while, but I just came upon it as I searched the forum for information about the intercom set I picked up a couple decades ago at an auction.  After moving the intercoms in boxes through ten(!) household moves, I finally dug them out and I am trying to figure out what to do with them.

Did you ever get your set to work?  If you did, could you take a couple revealing photos of how they were set up?

I am attaching some photos of the units I have.  They are very similar to the ones you linked to at the Victrola Shop, though not identical.

If anyone else has any suggestions about where to locate a schematic for these, please let me know.

Thanks,
Nick
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: dsk on February 24, 2014, 06:46:14 AM
It looks like some connections are missing.

The diagram without numbering and screw terminals should be easy to make, but identifying the real points are difficult from the pictures.

dsk
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Nick in Manitou on February 24, 2014, 10:12:49 AM
DSK,

This gives me something to start with!  Thanks!

Nick
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: dsk on February 24, 2014, 12:16:19 PM
Just remember to to x the wires, or just reverse the battery polarity on one of the units. Battery voltage should be just high enough to energize the ringer in the other end. Try 3v and increase if needed. AA cells or greater.
dsk
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Nick in Manitou on February 24, 2014, 12:47:41 PM
DSK,

That makes sense to me!  I really appreciate it.

Nick
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Nick in Manitou on March 14, 2014, 12:56:28 PM
Well, I sat down with DSK's schematic and was going to make this pair work so that I could either hook them up at home, or sell them. 

When I was checking out the leaf switch on one of the units, I found that there is a broken contact.  Now what?  I don't suppose that there is a source for replacement parts for the hook switch in these units.

Suggestions?

If someone else wants to take this pair on, I would be willing to pass them along pretty cheaply...too many other items on the shelf calling for my attention.

Thanks,
Nick
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Nick in Manitou on April 02, 2014, 04:51:31 PM
I have passed these intercoms on to another member of this forum.  I hope he gets them up and running and posts about his success.

Nick
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Babybearjs on August 12, 2015, 09:34:47 PM
Heres the one I have:
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: HarrySmith on August 12, 2015, 09:53:38 PM
They are pretty cool sets. As far as converting one to be used as a telephone I have never tried it but connecting a pair as an intercom is straight forward and fairly simple from what I have seen. I am the one who got the pair from Nick. I have not worked on them yet, they are on the to-do list ;D
BTW - Instead of adding them to the pile of phones awaiting work I hung them on the wall in our front hallway near the front door. Took some convincing but once I put them up my wife said " Wow, they look very nice!". I was surprised but very happy. They get a lot of comments from everyone that enters!
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Babybearjs on October 24, 2015, 02:43:07 AM
harry, is there any surviving documentation on these phones? the TCI library has the basic info for the conneticuit set, but has nothing for the couch sets. I'd like to find the schematic for the unit I have, as I am trying to restore it to working order and am not sure about the proper wiring. the switch hook is SPST and not SPDT as first thought. though it does have 3 wire terminals, only 2 are used...
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: dsk on October 24, 2015, 03:31:54 AM
Quote from: HarrySmith on August 12, 2015, 09:53:38 PM
They are pretty cool sets. As far as converting one to be used as a telephone I have never tried it but connecting a pair as an intercom is straight forward and fairly simple from what I have seen. I am the one who got the pair from Nick. I have not worked on them yet, they are on the to-do list ;D
BTW - Instead of adding them to the pile of phones awaiting work I hung them on the wall in our front hallway near the front door. Took some convincing but once I put them up my wife said " Wow, they look very nice!". I was surprised but very happy. They get a lot of comments from everyone that enters!

They may work with many door intercoms of a sudden age.  Using them on the POTS may be done, and the schematic's under may show how. It is a simple solution and will not fulfill what we expect of a regular phone, but it will work.  The ringer part (orange) is more like probably possible on these too, the only ringer I have tested this on is an ericsson intercom from 1940.  A capacitor of 2 microfarad will probably give a REN load of 4-5! My pots line accepts it, my 1946 PAX does not.  The transformer is some how not extremely critical, but should be e small one designed for just small wattages. The input output voltages should be between 10:1  and 20:1.  I will expect a project like this to be more for demonstration, than for longer conversations :-)

dsk
Title: Re: S.H. Couch Intercom Set
Post by: Alex G. Bell on May 19, 2017, 05:07:15 AM
Quote from: Babybearjs on May 19, 2017, 03:19:24 AM
I just reposted the question concerning this topic. totally forgot about this thread.... sorry about the extra post...
I don't understand.  What's the goal at this point?