my pal Don has doorbell problem

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11581224

Oh my.

NNN0LHI (66,838 posts)  Thu Sep 6, 2012, 07:40 AM

Doorbell problems

Both my doorbell buttons stopped working and the buttons no longer light up.

Does that mean my transformer in the attic has went out? The transformer is about 30 years old if that helps.

Does anyone know?

Thanks in advance if anyone knows.

Don

ret5hd (9,710 posts)  Thu Sep 6, 2012, 07:55 AM

1. Could be as simple as the button itself.

Take the button off, take those 2 wires coming from the transformer and check them with a voltmeter (don't worry, its only 12, maybe 24 volts).

NNN0LHI (66,838 posts)  Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:09 AM

2. Two buttons and both stopped lighting and bell stopped working at same time

Going to take the bell off of wall and test for voltage from transformer. 12 V DC or AC?

Thank you very much.

Don

ahg (43 posts)  Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:26 AM

3. The doorbell is still working.

You are going deaf.

At grouchy old Don's age, maybe.

Who knows.

Warpy (64,537 posts)  Thu Sep 6, 2012, 11:05 AM

5. Loose wiring or transformer

Turn your power off, unscrew the buttons and make sure they're connected. If they are, locate the transformer, pull it, and take it to the hardware store with you when you get a new one (the easiest way to make sure you get the right one).

ETA: the voltage might be only 24 but the amperage is sufficient to give you a pretty good belt if the power is off. I know--I had a thermostat on a 24 volt transformer fall apart in my hands once. Zap!

^^Damn.  Nothing'll kill the old moose.

NNN0LHI (66,838 posts)  Thu Sep 6, 2012, 02:42 PM

6. Thanks to you and everyone else for the help

It was the transformer.

Went out and purchased and installed an entire new wireless chime. Priced very reasonable and easy to install. Took about 15 minutes for the entire installation.

Its all good here again.

Take care and see you guys later.

Don

Hassin Bin Sober (6,805 posts)  Thu Sep 6, 2012, 07:43 PM

7. 15minutes? Bah!

What kind of DIY project is that? There should have been at least 3 or 4 trips to the hardware store for shit you forgot.

[Skul]

Corrosion, donnieboy. Fix it.

[GOBUCKS]

Warpy (64,537 posts)  Thu Sep 6, 2012, 11:05 AM

5. Loose wiring or transformer

Turn your power off, unscrew the buttons and make sure they're connected. If they are, locate the transformer, pull it, and take it to the hardware store with you when you get a new one (the easiest way to make sure you get the right one).

ETA: the voltage might be only 24 but the amperage is sufficient to give you a pretty good belt if the power is off. I know--I had a thermostat on a 24 volt transformer fall apart in my hands once. Zap!

^^Damn.  Nothing'll kill the old moose.

It may not kill her, but a solid jolt of electricity to the head might improve her disposition.

[I_B_Perky]

My dog's behind!!!! Can't these smartest, bestest, mostest genuisest people in the world do freaking anything by themselves? 

Isn't any wonder they have to have the government take care of them.   

[Mr Mannn]

Look DUmmie. There is a cheaper and less time consuming fix to your problem.
Cardboard + felt tip pen. You already have them in your protest closet.

Write on Cardboard: "Doorbell doesn't work. Please Knock."

Problem solved. Bonus is, we don't have a DUmmy playing with electricity.

[franksolich]

It may not kill her, but a solid jolt of electricity to the head might improve her disposition.

Or at least her digestive system.

I once had an old country doctor who said that most--he wouldn't say 75% or 80% or 90%, just "most"--ill-tempered temperaments are due to clogged digestive systems.

[I_B_Perky]

Look DUmmie. There is a cheaper and less time consuming fix to your problem.
Cardboard + felt tip pen. You already have them in your protest closet.

Write on Cardboard: "Doorbell doesn't work. Please Knock."

Problem solved. Bonus is, we don't have a DUmmy playing with electricity.

 

Actually Mr. Mannn... we want dummies playing with electricity. We want them to play with it as much as possible. Preferably of the high voltage/high amperage kind.  

[miskie]

Actually Mr. Mannn... we want dummies playing with electricity. We want them to play with it as much as possible. Preferably of the high voltage/high amperage kind.  

I consider a DUmmy playing with electricity a jobs program. It has the potential to make work for doctors, nurses, EMTs, a coroner, police, fire, and an undertaker.

[BattleHymn]

I consider a DUmmy playing with electricity a jobs program. It has the potential to make work for doctors, nurses, EMTs, a coroner, police, fire, and an undertaker.

Ooh, don't forget the artificial limb industry!

[I_B_Perky]

I consider a DUmmy playing with electricity a jobs program. It has the potential to make work for doctors, nurses, EMTs, a coroner, police, fire, and an undertaker.

 

You forget though... the taxpayer will ultimately end up paying for it all. They are dummies.

[obumazombie]

If you push a doorbell, and you don't hear it working, what does that make it ? Caution, loaded question.

[jukin]

go up to the attic. Check the 110VAC with your tongue. Let me know how it works out.

[BattleHymn]

go up to the attic. Check the 110VAC with your tongue. Let me know how it works out.

Dear Don,

As usual, jukin has a great suggestion.  If his method doesn't help you, then I would start with the main line coming in off the street.  You might need to clean the contacts in your breaker box. 

The best tool I have found for cleaning the contacts is a good, high-quality dinner fork.  This method works best if you have 200-amp service. 

~DUmp Heloise

[miskie]

Dear Don,

As usual, jukin has a great suggestion.  If his method doesn't help you, then I would start with the main line coming in off the street.  You might need to clean the contacts in your breaker box. 

The best tool I have found for cleaning the contacts is a good, high-quality dinner fork.  This method works best if you have 200-amp service. 

~DUmp Heloise

Indeed - The contacts that are the most likely to corrode are the ones behind the meter. Clip off the little plastic tag (Its like a mattress tag.. once you own it, you can remove it- trust me.), unscrew the metal retainer ring, grab the meter with both hands, and pull down. Once its removed, you will see two large metal clips. Use your hands to feel them both at the same time, to make sure the metal is even, and free from any sort of corrosion. It will only take a couple of seconds to tell if the metal clips are in proper working order.