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AE80 Won’t Ring

Started by Jonesdp, January 25, 2025, 07:43:33 PM

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Jonesdp

Hello all, thanks for letting me join. This forum has been a big help with my Western Electric phone projects. Now I'm diving into a GTE American Electric AE80. I installed a new cord and it gets dial tone. However, it won't ring. Looking at the label on the ringer, it appears to be a frequency ringer, designed for 42hz. So it looks like it was setup for a party line. Do I need to find a straight line ringer in order to make it work, or is there any modifications I can make to get it to work? The phone has a WA-1154-A Transmission unit. Thanks!
"We don't care. We don't have to. We're the Phone Company!"
-Ernestine

MMikeJBenN27

You will need to get a Straight-Line ringer.  Check out TCI Library to find a wiring diagram for this phone, just to make sure it hasn't been tampered with.  Also, it is Automatic Electic, not American Electric.

Mike

Jonesdp

Oops, sorry for the typo. Ok, looks like I need to find a new ringer. Thanks!
"We don't care. We don't have to. We're the Phone Company!"
-Ernestine

Jonesdp

Update: I obtained a straight-line ringer and the phone now rings. As a bonus, I discovered our home VoIP system supports pulse dialing! Thanks for the help on this.
"We don't care. We don't have to. We're the Phone Company!"
-Ernestine

HarrySmith

Just for later reference where did you locate the straight line ringer so quickly? Last time I needed one it was not easy to fond. Inquiring minds want to know!  ;D
Harry Smith
ATCA 4434
TCI

"There is no try,
there is only
do or do not"

Jonesdp

I got it online from Oldphoneworks.com. I've gotten parts for other projects from them. They are in Canada.
"We don't care. We don't have to. We're the Phone Company!"
-Ernestine

HarrySmith

Of course. OPW is well know here. I was not willing to pay their price plus shipping to South Florida when I needed one. Glad you got your phone working.
Harry Smith
ATCA 4434
TCI

"There is no try,
there is only
do or do not"

Jonesdp

Ah. I'm up in Michigan, so shipping isn't as bad.
"We don't care. We don't have to. We're the Phone Company!"
-Ernestine