Loud Door Bell

Steve@Advance · Aug 17, 2016

I've been asked to install a door bell. This is for a homeless ministry I do some volunteer work for, so this is coming out of my pocket...

What they need is a loud bell, tone, noise, something they can hear anywhere in the building. This is not a large building, they just need to hear if they are in the office at the other end, maybe 40 feet away.

What I have is a 12 watt, 8 ohm paging horn. Any practical and economical way to generate a tone that could be connected to this horn?

I've been looking at bells, and Viking amplifiers, but looking at spending $75-100 to go that way. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Bob · Aug 17, 2016

Instead of making a deafening localized noise, why not install a wireless doorbell with two receivers that car be placed in separate areas of the building?

There's "wired" versions, as well.
ONE source for a wirelss doorbell with two receivers

ss55 · Aug 17, 2016

I've used a wireless doorbell extension to add a doorbell in the basement. A small sender installed inside the original chime and the extension was battery powered. I'm not sure what the range was. Check a local big box hardware store or Amazon.

Greg K · Aug 17, 2016

How about a smaller fire alarm bell? As a matter of fact I think I have one at home that you could have if it's loud enough. I'll try to remember to check when I get home.

dr sportster · Aug 17, 2016

A small bell that stays ringing as long as the bell button is pushed.

Mike M · Aug 17, 2016

Go to a local animal shelter and get them a poodle type dog. Any little knock on the door and ours goes CRAZY !

PJH · Aug 17, 2016

Bob has the answer. Make sure you get plug-in receivers. Some receivers are battery operated, and they are "Listening" constantly, and need the batts replaced about once a month or so. The pushbutton battery lasts for years.

GordoSD · Aug 17, 2016

Go wireless. Get the "ringers that plur into any wall outlet. Use where desired. Two minute install of the button at the front door.

Dick2 · Aug 17, 2016

Neighbor put in a wireless doorbell. Whenever someone rang his doorbell button, it also rang the bells in the houses on each side of him!

Steve@Advance · Aug 17, 2016

Thanks everybody, I went ahead and ordered the plug in wireless with 3 remotes.

That is much easier than running wire!

I didn't realize they made them with multiple remotes, that will work well for what's needed.

Thanks again!

Charles in Aus. · Aug 17, 2016

You could just use an old 12 volt power supply and a car horn .

Bob · Aug 18, 2016

Let us know how it works out, Steve, the doorbell with two receivers made sense to me, and I couldn't believe some of the other posts suggesting using a firebell, or what ever, 'cause I'd think all that noise would be the LAST thing you'd want when dealing with distressed folks looking for help.

God love you for helping those in need, I try to do the same, but but probably don't do enough.

2x4 · Aug 18, 2016

That's what I did; old trumpet horns from a diesel truck hooked to 12 volt battery & pushbutton. Scared several women out of their skin but never failed to be heard in my garage or apt. above it.

MarkB_MI · Aug 18, 2016

The remotes are a sensible way to go. But did anyone consider that a 24 volt doorbell circuit is 60 Hz? Run it through a resistor so you don't blow your 12 watt horn and you're good to go. 60 Hz is annoyingly low, but you can kick it up an octave by running it through a full-wave rectifier bridge; add a series capacitor so it's ac-coupled and you have 120 Hz.

PJH · Aug 18, 2016

It's been a while since I fooled with mine, but I think there are dip switches in them to change the frequency. The guy in the middle is the culprit.

Loud Door Bell

Steve@Advance

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Bob

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ss55

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Greg K

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dr sportster

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Mike M

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PJH

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GordoSD

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Dick2

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Steve@Advance

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Charles in Aus.

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Bob

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2x4

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MarkB_MI

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PJH

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