[edro]

I found a vintage alarm bell that was probably used in a school or fire house.

It's nameplate is clearly marked with "6 V", "DC Only".

I have powered it with a 6v AC/DC adapter and it works well.

I am trying to figure out the proper way to permanently connect this alarm bell as my doorbell.

I have a standard 24vac transformer currently powering the doorbell.
I could remove the transformer and use the AC adapter, but those aren't really designed for permanent installation.
I could hard wire a rectifier to it...but I just don't know what and if that would be considered to code.
I have seen 6vdc power supplies in enclosures made for alarm circuits, but that seems like overkill.

Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[mpoulton]

Get a 6VDC power supply. That's really the only option here. It's a common voltage, so there should be surplus options that are really cheap.

 

[AllanJ]

The 6V AC to DC adapter you have is perfectly fine. Just don't bury it in the wall. Also use connections on both the AC side and the DC side that can be easly unplugged or unscrewed.

 

[juryduty]

My house had something like this hard-wired and attached to a stud in the garage (no drywall).

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/e...mpaignId=T9F&gclid=CPKwpuHIu7QCFSXZQgodLAkA-Q

When I added a 12V doorbell I kept wondering why the bell would "half ring" or ring weakly, until I realized the transformer was 6V and replaced it.