Adding a Switch to a Rotary Phone

Have you ever wanted to add a switch to the ringer on a rotary phone? Here are some instructions on how to add a switch to the underside of the phone to shut off the ringer for some peace and quite.

Open the Phone:

To remove the cover of the phone remove the screws on the underside of the phone. This will allow you to remove the cover from the chassis and access the circuitry inside. Be careful removing the cover because there could be wires attached to it (mine had a light in the cover). Make sure to unplug the phone before opening the case.

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Locate the Correct Wires:

Now that you have the cover off the phone you can access the internal circuitry that controls the ringer as well as the rest of the phone. To do this trace any of the 4 wires that control the transformer that moves the arm that hits the bell. I decided to add a switch to the red wire because it was close to the cover. Now make sure that this wire does actually disable the ringer. To do this just unplug that wire (simulating the switch off) and call the phone. If the ringer does not ring and the ringer arm doesn’t move then this wire will work. However, the arm may be pulled to one side and make a short “ding” sound. Try a different wire if this is the case to avoid messing up the bell and not actually silencing the ringer.

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Adding the Switch:

You are now ready to add the switch to the phone. To do this is done by soldering a similar gauge wire to the contact that the wire you have chosen to switch was originally plugged into. Now run the wire under the circuit board of the phone and solder the other end to one of the contacts on the switch. Now cut the connector off the wire you disconnected and solder it to the other contact on the switch.

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Mounting the Switch:

You can now drill a hole in the chassis of the phone or use an existing hole. Just place the switch in a location that will allow the switch to be enabled or disabled. I used super glue to hold it in place but other things can be used. You can also mount the switch on the side of the phone so you don’t have to tip over the phone to change the switch.

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Friday, May 23rd, 2008 at 15:48 • Electronic • RSS 2.0 feed • leave a response or trackback

13 Responses to “Adding a Switch to a Rotary Phone”

  1. TAC says:
    December 10, 2009 at 18:39

    Anyone know how to remove the dialing plate in order to replace the phone number label on a rotary phone?

    Thanks

    Reply
  2. Jena says:
    August 27, 2009 at 08:56

    Hi there,

    I am delighted to have found these instructions as even the lowest ringer settings on my rotary phone(s) is disarmingly loud! One question, though: where does one buy a tiny little switch like that?

    Thanks,

    Jena

    Reply
  3. jonny blaze says:
    April 8, 2009 at 18:59

    Where did you find a rotery phone?Do you still use it/ Too cool!

    Reply
    • miles says:
      April 8, 2009 at 19:23

      I got it at an estate sale for $1 and yes I still use it as my desk phone. It also has a cool little red light that lights up when it rings so when the ringer is off you can still see when someone is calling.

      Reply

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