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Doorbell transformer to 7805?

J

Jeff Dege

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've built a 418MHz RF receiver into a Radio Shack project box together
with a couple of relays. When I push one of the button on the
transmitter, one of the relays closes.

My intent is to wire this into the doorbell circuit, so I can ring the
doorbell remotely, when no one is there. I can then use this to
desensitize the dog to the doorbell - teach him to not get so excited
every time he hears it ring.

I have a clip for a 9V battery inside the box, but I also included a set
of binding posts so that I could power it from an external source. I'd
thought that I might be able to power it from the doorbell circuit. But
the truth is I don't know beans about what sort of power doorbell circuits
carry.

I know they run at a low voltage. That's clear from the wiring used. And
I can see the step-down transformer.

I also know that the solenoids in the doorbell itself have to be powered
by a DC current. Applying AC to a solenoid accomplishes nothing.

But I don't know whether the current is rectified at the transformer or
inside the doorbell. If the former, I might be able to connect it
straight to the 7805 voltage regulator inside the box. If the latter, I
need a rectifier circuit.

So - can anyone tell me exactly what sort of current I can expect to find
in a doorbell circuit? And what I would need to condition it before
feeding it to a 7805 voltage regulator?


--
I am myself persuaded, on the basis of extensive study of the historical
evidence, that... the severity of each of the contractions - 1920-21;
1929-33, and 1937-38 - is directly attributable to acts of commission
and omission by the Reserve authorities and would not have occurred
under earlier monetary and banking arrangements.
- Milton Friedman
 
E

ehsjr

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jeff said:
I've built a 418MHz RF receiver into a Radio Shack project box together
with a couple of relays. When I push one of the button on the
transmitter, one of the relays closes.

My intent is to wire this into the doorbell circuit, so I can ring the
doorbell remotely, when no one is there. I can then use this to
desensitize the dog to the doorbell - teach him to not get so excited
every time he hears it ring.

I have a clip for a 9V battery inside the box, but I also included a set
of binding posts so that I could power it from an external source. I'd
thought that I might be able to power it from the doorbell circuit. But
the truth is I don't know beans about what sort of power doorbell circuits
carry.

I know they run at a low voltage. That's clear from the wiring used. And
I can see the step-down transformer.

I also know that the solenoids in the doorbell itself have to be powered
by a DC current. Applying AC to a solenoid accomplishes nothing.

But I don't know whether the current is rectified at the transformer or
inside the doorbell. If the former, I might be able to connect it
straight to the 7805 voltage regulator inside the box. If the latter, I
need a rectifier circuit.

So - can anyone tell me exactly what sort of current I can expect to find
in a doorbell circuit? And what I would need to condition it before
feeding it to a 7805 voltage regulator?

It's AC, likely 16 volts. AC will operate a solenoid
designed for AC.

Use the circuit below.

doorbell
xformer
110v 16v ----
---|| +-----+---[R1]---+-In|7809|Out-+-> To
|| ----- | | | ---- | 7805
||---|~ +|---+ |+ [C2] | [C3] Vin
|| | BR | [C1] | | |
||---|~ -|---+ | +------+------+
|| ----- | | |
---|| +-----+-----------------+---------> To Gnd

BR = 50v (or higher) bridge rectifier
R1 = 100 ohm 2 watt
C1 = 1000 uF 35 volt
C2 = .33 uF
C3 = .1 uF

The purpose of R1 is to reduce the heat in the
7809, but you should still use a small heat sink
on it. If we knew the current that your receiver
draws when it energizes the relay, R1 could be
better selected. I guessed a max of 100 mA and
assumed a 16V doorbell xformer.

Ed
 
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