I have the old Nutone intercom doorbells. The intercom system no longer works and the control panel has been removed. I installed a new wireless/wired doorbell today with no problems. The ma yak says a diode must be attached to the terminal al screws on the front doorbell for it to work. Without it, the button must be depressed in order to hear the whole tone. We are goi f to replace the Nutone with a ring doorbell but are awaiting delivery of a new transformer. On the back of the Nutone, there are red/black wires on the speaker and yellow/white wires below that. Where and how would I attach the required diode? Thanks for the help.
Diode on Nutone Intercom Doorbell
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Without more information, I'm a little lost. However, old doorbells ran off AC...the transformer knocked the 120V down to (I believe) 24V AC.
A diode will effectively change the AC to DC (although it'll be pulsing).
You wouldn't put the diode into the speaker line as it would distort the audio.
Also I would expect the diode polarity to be important as it'll determine whether the DC voltage is positive or negative. Are there no other instructions on the diode installation?
A diode will effectively change the AC to DC (although it'll be pulsing).
You wouldn't put the diode into the speaker line as it would distort the audio.
Also I would expect the diode polarity to be important as it'll determine whether the DC voltage is positive or negative. Are there no other instructions on the diode installation?
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3,257 Posts
The yellow and white wires seem to be connected to slide switch contacts so that's where the diode would go... from white to yellow... just put it under the wire nuts that are there.
The res and black wires look to be attached directly to the voice coil of the speaker... as you say, no longer needed.
Why not go ahead and replace the speaker panel with a simple button, since that's all you need at that location.
The diode is used to get a dual function out of a simple push button. The diode blocks reverse current from flowing. When you press the button, it allows reverse current to flow in the circuit. That triggers a chime circuit that needs a forward current flow through the diode to complete its full program. Ingenious, what? Like a latching relay that unlatches itself when finished with its task.
SD2
The res and black wires look to be attached directly to the voice coil of the speaker... as you say, no longer needed.
Why not go ahead and replace the speaker panel with a simple button, since that's all you need at that location.
The diode is used to get a dual function out of a simple push button. The diode blocks reverse current from flowing. When you press the button, it allows reverse current to flow in the circuit. That triggers a chime circuit that needs a forward current flow through the diode to complete its full program. Ingenious, what? Like a latching relay that unlatches itself when finished with its task.
SD2
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5,468 Posts
Try using a 1N4004 diode.
The ratings are plenty sufficant.
The ratings are plenty sufficant.
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