Clock Doorbell

Kenny Gardner · 2012-01-05 17:45

I'm making a clock out of a 2 tone mechanical doorbell.

The doorbell chimes on two aluminum rods that are struck by a miniature solenoid.

What would be the best electronic replacement for the doorbell switch?

When the switch is pushed, it passes 16v AC to 1 terminal of the solenoid (the other terminal is directly hooked up to the other leg of the 16v AC.

I would like to be able to control the length of the "push" so as to not strike the tubes too fast. The solenoid strikes one tube when the button is pushed and the other tube when the button is released.

Would a Triac be used for this? Since its a doorbell, it doesn't take a whole heck of a lot of current.

The control voltage would be from a Microcontroller or at least controlled by one 3V or 5V.

Any thoughts would be most welcomed.

Thanks,

Kenny

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) · 2012-01-05 17:57

A triac, triggered by an opto-triac (e.g. MOC3010) would probably work just fine.

-Phil

erco · 2012-01-05 18:29

A small relay would work fine, too. Radio Shack's 5V reed relay has a 20 mA coil that can be driven directly by a Stamp, no driver transistor needed.

Kenny Gardner · 2012-01-06 11:14

Thanks guys. I ordered some parts and will probably give both methods a try to see which one fits in better with the clock and solenoids.

Kenny

Clock Doorbell

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