Electronics advice please !
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Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 11:21 AM
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I do not really understand enough about DC. I have little doubt that if I used the wrong voltage on AC, it would burn the solenoid out, but as DC voltages are so low, I am assuming that the problem would not be the same. The nice thing about using 12 volts on the old 3 volt bell was that it made a really good clatter which could be heard all over the back garden !
Re: Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 11:34 AM
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As for 9V, personally I'd go and get a new transformer as, without knowing the tolerance of the components in your bell, it's impossible to say if 12V or 18V would damage it.
You could also design yourself a potential divider to drop the voltage down to 9V.
Paul
(PS I am an electronics design engineer!)
Re: Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 11:43 AM
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Re: Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 11:46 AM
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Re: Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 11:48 AM
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Re: Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 11:49 AM
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Re: Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 12:58 PM
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To argue with someone who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead - Thomas Paine
Re: Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 2:36 PM
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Re: Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 7:00 PM
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Now, the new doorbell requiring 9V is probably an electronic unit requiring 9V REGULATED and SMOOTHED d.c. I would advise against using the old PSU with this as it would inevitably cause failure of the components of the doorbell. A safer course would be to buy a 9V Regulated d.c. PSU as suggested by pierre_pierre. I have bought some excellent quality PSU's on eBay from powersellers who quote the full spec in the listing.
Have a look at this item. I have bought these and also a 9V version from him and they are excellent.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Switch-Mode-Power-Supply-12v-1000mA-regulated-adapters_W0QQitemZ120239363975QQ...
Just found the 9V Version http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110050369181&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr8_PcY_BI...
Re: Electronics advice please !
31-03-2008 11:17 PM
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Thanks everyone for your various answers - I have learnt a lot from the discussion, particularly the difference between loaded voltage and unloaded voltage on the multi-meter which I have never appreciated on other applications where I have been testing voltages, but now it makes sense.
I am going to see if I can find a good old fashioned Friedland bell like my last one on Ebay, but failing that, then I will buy a psu on Ebay as proposed by Wheel_nut.
I'm really grateful and impressed that the Plusnet world is so knowledgeable and helpful
Re: Electronics advice please !
08-04-2008 7:48 PM
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I got a new Friedland bell on E-bay (with postage, it cost as much as in the shop, but there you are). However, it still does niot work with the transformer, so I am imagining that the transformer may be due to collect its £200 winter fuel allowance.
However, I am naive about electronics and don't really understand how you measure current rather than volts on a multi-meter. I have tested the transformer with a 12 volt bulb, and it lights it fine as it always has done. So it appears the transformer is giving out 12 volts, which the multi-meter confirms under load.
Nevertheless, while points means prizes, it does not mean volts means current. Is it possible that due to anno domini the transformer could be providing enough volts, but not enough current any more to drive the bell ? I do not want to buy another transformer unless I know for sure that this one is nicky-nocky-nooed. As I say, electronics and electricity are not my forte toher than the purely mechanical part.
In other words, does current deteriorate with age whereas volts don't ?
TVM.
Re: Electronics advice please !
08-04-2008 8:52 PM
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Quote
The nice thing about using 12 volts on the old 3 volt bell was that it made a really good clatter which could be heard all over the back garden !
(above from your original post)
Presumably you are "assuming" that the bell works o.k..... ? have you checked this....? connect up batteries to make up minimum 6 volts, then connect the + and - to the bell....... dinging noise will indicate the bell works.... this will then confirm that the transformer is at fault..... (on the assumption that the wiring is still in good condition, and that a full circuit is available in the wiring..... i.e not broken anywhere.)
If you have a car, you could also use the 12 volts from the battery, via the cigar lighter socket to test the bell.... you will have a good 12 volt supply, and definitely plenty of amps (current) to power the bell.... make sure the neighbours have been warned in advance ! ! !
Re: Electronics advice please !
08-04-2008 9:15 PM
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Have you measured the voltage at the output of the transformer when the bell button is pressed? To measure current the multimeter has to be wired in series with the leads connected to the terminals on the meter marked current, i.e different terminal to the ones used to measure voltage, or at least one terminal different. One lead of the meter is connected to the output of the transformer and the other lead to the load. The other transformer output is connected to the load as normal.
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