Door annunciator...

[David Lesher]

I'm looking for a door annunciator...a simple, wired, line-powered one.
Goes BONG when the door opens.

Not battery-powered {they go dead}.
Not wireless {why?} as the alarm will be at the door.
Not straight mechanical {"EZTone"} as I need an on/off switch.

You'd think someone sold such, but I've Googled/Froogled/etc until
my fingers are blue.

Yea, I could build such with a one-shot, etc...but the economics of scale..
--
A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 20:38:50 +0000 (UTC), the renowned David Lesher
<wb8foz@panix.com> wrote:

I'm looking for a door annunciator...a simple, wired, line-powered one.
Goes BONG when the door opens.

Not battery-powered {they go dead}.
Not wireless {why?} as the alarm will be at the door.
Not straight mechanical {"EZTone"} as I need an on/off switch.

You'd think someone sold such, but I've Googled/Froogled/etc until
my fingers are blue.

Yea, I could build such with a one-shot, etc...but the economics of scale..

One of the first hits I got was this one:

http://www.yoursecurity.us/dchime.htm


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

 

[Joerg]

Hello David,

I'm looking for a door annunciator...a simple, wired, line-powered one.
Goes BONG when the door opens.

Maybe just a normal doorbell with a mometary door contact that closes
briefly while the door swings by?

Not battery-powered {they go dead}.

Ours are powered by food and water. They don't emit a "Bong" but a
"Woof". They also have another signaling mode when a delivery van pulls
up: "Woof...rrrrr...grrrr...WOOOOFFFFF!". The third mode is for fire
engines: "Wahooooooooooooo", which one of them can hold for 7-8 seconds.

Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com

 

[Chuck Wozniak]

How about adding a 9 volt battery eliminator (wall wart) to this Radio
Shack "Door Alarm and Entry Chime??

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=49-422

David Lesher wrote:

I'm looking for a door annunciator...a simple, wired, line-powered one.
Goes BONG when the door opens.

Not battery-powered {they go dead}.
Not wireless {why?} as the alarm will be at the door.
Not straight mechanical {"EZTone"} as I need an on/off switch.

You'd think someone sold such, but I've Googled/Froogled/etc until
my fingers are blue.

Yea, I could build such with a one-shot, etc...but the economics of scale..

 

[David Lesher]

Joerg <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> writes:

Hello David,

I'm looking for a door annunciator...a simple, wired, line-powered one.
Goes BONG when the door opens.

Maybe just a normal doorbell with a mometary door contact that closes
briefly while the door swings by?

There was in fact a clever switch that did just that. It was a
pendulum that hung 1" inside the door, with a contact on one side
so as the door opened, but not closed, it closed. I have not seen
one in 30+ years.

Not battery-powered {they go dead}.

Ours are powered by food and water. They don't emit a "Bong" but a
"Woof". They also have another signaling mode when a delivery van pulls
up: "Woof...rrrrr...grrrr...WOOOOFFFFF!". The third mode is for fire
engines: "Wahooooooooooooo", which one of them can hold for 7-8 seconds.

Did I mention this is an office? The FedEx and UPS folks are our FRIENDS...

And as for http://www.yoursecurity.us/dchime.htm; the only one I
see there that's close is the air pressure one. Err, no thanks. This is
an interior door, from the elevator lobby...

I want a simple mechanical or magnetic sensor on the door; not
photobeams, air pressure, or backscatter radar....




--
A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

 

[David Lesher]

Chuck Wozniak <cwwozniak@sbcglobal_dot_.net> writes:

How about adding a 9 volt battery eliminator (wall wart) to this Radio
Shack "Door Alarm and Entry Chime??

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=49-422

That may well be my best bet; despite it being 10X as complex as we
need. It has 2 NO reed switches within. I can parallel an ordinary
alarm contact with those for remote mounting. (The door is in
fact a double-door; so I can't mount this as intended....)

Thanks for the lead.
--
A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

David Lesher wrote:

Chuck Wozniak <cwwozniak@sbcglobal_dot_.net> writes:

How about adding a 9 volt battery eliminator (wall wart) to this Radio
Shack "Door Alarm and Entry Chime??

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=49-422

That may well be my best bet; despite it being 10X as complex as we
need. It has 2 NO reed switches within. I can parallel an ordinary
alarm contact with those for remote mounting. (The door is in
fact a double-door; so I can't mount this as intended....)

Thanks for the lead.

You could try to find one of the heavy duty pressure mats used for
older alarm systems.

--
Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted
after threats were telephoned to my church.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

[Joerg]

Hello David,

There was in fact a clever switch that did just that. It was a
pendulum that hung 1" inside the door, with a contact on one side
so as the door opened, but not closed, it closed. I have not seen
one in 30+ years.

There still is a type of switch that sits above the door and has an oval
spring. This spring closes a switch above it while the door is between
just a crack and 10 degrees maybe. Many stores have that but the
downside is that is also alerts when closing the door.

Ours are powered by food and water. They don't emit a "Bong" but a
"Woof". They also have another signaling mode when a delivery van pulls
up: "Woof...rrrrr...grrrr...WOOOOFFFFF!". The third mode is for fire
engines: "Wahooooooooooooo", which one of them can hold for 7-8 seconds.

Did I mention this is an office? The FedEx and UPS folks are our FRIENDS...

This is also an office. The dogs alert the same way when anyone pulls up
and sometimes that's a good thing. It keeps not so well meaning folks
away. When the meter reader comes they make a racket, too, but then sit
there next to the meter drooling because he always has dog biscuits.
Dogs have an amazing sense of good and bad. When they sense trouble they
show some teeth with the growl.

And as for http://www.yoursecurity.us/dchime.htm; the only one I
see there that's close is the air pressure one. Err, no thanks. This is
an interior door, from the elevator lobby...

I have heard a Dog bark type electronic alert before. It was pathetic.
The bark stopped in the middle of a woof. Intruders aren't that stupid.

I want a simple mechanical or magnetic sensor on the door; not
photobeams, air pressure, or backscatter radar....

Should be no problem. Some electronic "bong" chimes from the hardware
stores react to a door bell button the same way whether it is
momentarily pressed or held down long. So if you'd get one of these and
an "open when released" switch you should be in business. Hardware
stores often also have those switches as kits, with brackets, screws and
all. They used to be popular to illuminate a walk-in closet or pantry
the instant its door was opened. If they don't have them you could look
at garage door opener end switches since it's a low voltage application.

Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com

 

[ehsjr]

David Lesher wrote:

Joerg <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> writes:


Hello David,


I'm looking for a door annunciator...a simple, wired, line-powered one.
Goes BONG when the door opens.


Maybe just a normal doorbell with a mometary door contact that closes
briefly while the door swings by?


There was in fact a clever switch that did just that. It was a
pendulum that hung 1" inside the door, with a contact on one side
so as the door opened, but not closed, it closed. I have not seen
one in 30+ years.



Not battery-powered {they go dead}.


Ours are powered by food and water. They don't emit a "Bong" but a
"Woof". They also have another signaling mode when a delivery van pulls
up: "Woof...rrrrr...grrrr...WOOOOFFFFF!". The third mode is for fire
engines: "Wahooooooooooooo", which one of them can hold for 7-8 seconds.


Did I mention this is an office? The FedEx and UPS folks are our FRIENDS...

And as for http://www.yoursecurity.us/dchime.htm; the only one I
see there that's close is the air pressure one. Err, no thanks. This is
an interior door, from the elevator lobby...

I want a simple mechanical or magnetic sensor on the door; not
photobeams, air pressure, or backscatter radar....




Mounting arm

v
------
|| * < microswitch
||
||
||
||
||
^
DoorFrame

Use an L bracket as a mounting arm for the microswitch.
As the door swings by, it makes the switch and the bell
(standard doorbell) gord bong.

Ed

 

[David Lesher]

ehsjr <ehsjr@bellatlantic.net> writes:

There was in fact a clever switch that did just that. It was a
pendulum that hung 1" inside the door, with a contact on one side
so as the door opened, but not closed, it closed. I have not seen
one in 30+ years.
....
I want a simple mechanical or magnetic sensor on the door; not
photobeams, air pressure, or backscatter radar....




Mounting arm
v
------
|| * < microswitch
||
||
||
||
||
^
DoorFrame

That will signal twice; once as the door opens, the second as it closes...
That's what the pendulum type avoided.
--
A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

 

[David Lesher]

"Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> writes:

You could try to find one of the heavy duty pressure mats used for
older alarm systems.

I want to sense the door opening. Not people in the hall walking by same.

--
A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

David Lesher wrote:

"Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> writes:

You could try to find one of the heavy duty pressure mats used for
older alarm systems.

I want to sense the door opening. Not people in the hall walking by same.

I have seen them just inside the door so you have to step on them to
enter.

--
Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted
after threats were telephoned to my church.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

Here's a down and dirty trick.
Use a spdt contact for the door switch, a big capacitor, 12-24 VDC,
common door chime.
Feed the +DC to the doorswitch contact that is normally closed when the
door is closed.
Connect the capacitor (+) to the common terminal of the switch.
Connect the door chime to the switch contact that is open when the door
is closed.
Connect the capacitor ( - ), the -DC and other side of the chime
together.

With the door closed, the capacitor charges, When the door is open,
the capacitor charge is switched to the door chime and it rings one
time. When the door is closed again, the process starts over.

Note: Put an on/off switch where convenient and break one side of the
the dc power or a chime lead. Change the value of the capacitor for
more or less chime striking force. Use a recessed, surface mount or
motion switch as desired.

Hope this helps!

 

[David Lesher]

"Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> writes:

You could try to find one of the heavy duty pressure mats used for
older alarm systems.

I want to sense the door opening. Not people in the hall walking by same.

I have seen them just inside the door so you have to step on them to
enter.

People walk by on the INSIDE of the door.....


--
A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

 

[David Lesher]

lenp@electdiv.com writes:

Here's a down and dirty trick.
Use a spdt contact for the door switch, a big capacitor, 12-24 VDC,
.....

I've considered building same; but prefer not to invest the
time. IMHE, it's the mounting+box+etc that eat the time....

--
A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

 

[ehsjr]

David Lesher wrote:

ehsjr <ehsjr@bellatlantic.net> writes:


There was in fact a clever switch that did just that. It was a
pendulum that hung 1" inside the door, with a contact on one side
so as the door opened, but not closed, it closed. I have not seen
one in 30+ years.

...

I want a simple mechanical or magnetic sensor on the door; not
photobeams, air pressure, or backscatter radar....





Mounting arm
v
------
|| * < microswitch
||
||
||
||
||
^
DoorFrame



That will signal twice; once as the door opens, the second as it closes...
That's what the pendulum type avoided.

Here's the pendulum type. Bend the microswitch leaf into
a U and hang the chain on it. The weight of the sinker
provides enough tension on the chain so that the door
opening will cause the leaf to move. You don't need
much. Note that the microswitch body is mounted at an
angle so that the leaf is perpendicular. The mounting arm
for the switch isn't shown. I'm not a fisherman - but a
fishing leader might work in place of the chain.

--------o
/ O / |
/ / |
/ /===| <===Microswitch
/ / |
/ O / |
------- U
| <==thin chain (or wire, string, whatever)
|
--- <===Fishing sinker
\ / _
V |E|
|D|
|G| <==Door
|E|
| | < shown closed. opens toward the left
~

Probably should glue some fabric on the sinker or
otherwise protect the door from being marked.
Other than mounting it, the only "building" you need
to do is to bend the leaf of the microswitch into a U.

When you mount it, you want the top of the sinker
to line up with the top of the door, and you want
the horizontal dimension to hang the sinker out
far enough from the door frame such that the
sinker cannot interfere with closing.

Ed

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

David Lesher wrote:

"Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> writes:

You could try to find one of the heavy duty pressure mats used for
older alarm systems.

I want to sense the door opening. Not people in the hall walking by same.

I have seen them just inside the door so you have to step on them to
enter.

People walk by on the INSIDE of the door.....

That presents a different kind of problem. It should be laid out so
that the door can't hit someone walking by, as most entry doors open in,
or swing both ways. There are optical sensors that detect the direction
of movement, as well as video motion detectors. They use a cheap CCTV
camera and you can set two or more crosspoints for detection. The ones
I've used had separate dry contact outputs so you add some simple logic
to detect direction. There was a simple circuit to build the detector in
one of the design magazines around 1990, written by someone at 3M.


--
Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted
after threats were telephoned to my church.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida