General Kontrolar Telechime Announcer
Tele chime Announcer 1935
This handsome doorbell from TeleChime is among the earliest long bell door chimes in the Museum. This was serviced for the new owners of a New Jersey home where it was part of the 1935 original construction. The owners wanted to keep the chime’s rich patina, so only mechanical repairs were made.
This chime was manufactured by Telechime and is believed to be a first generation Telechime Annunciator. Two United States patents issued in 1933 are referenced on the label. 1,924,395 and 1,960,079. These two patents are for more complex multi-note musical chimes. A examination of the claims made for patent 1,924,395 reveals that the unusual hexagon shaped plunger found in this chime, is covered by the patent”
The body portion of the plunger is preferably of modified hexagonal form, or equivalent shape, with the edge portions rounded so as to give several substantial points of contact or sliding engagement with the tube with which it forma a rather close, but sliding fit.
Mysteriously, the patent claim does not mention the reduction in friction that would result from the modified hexagon shaped body having less contact with the surrounding cylinder than typical, round solenoid plungers. Neither does the patent claim a lower propensity to seize or become gummed up with accumulated dust deposits than round plungers.
General Kontrolar doorbells were high quality, although expensive chimes. Consequently, few were sold, and fewer remain. If you have a TeleChime Doorbell and would like to share a photo, please contact the Doorbell Museum.
| Manufacturer | General Kontrolar Telechime Division | |
| Location of Manufacturer | Dayton, Ohio | |
| Date of Manufacture | 1935 | |
| Materials | Painted steel case, brass trim, brass bells | |
| Dimensions | 7 1/2 inches wide, 41 inches tall, 3 inches deep |
I have a telechime. When I installed it in my new home it only chimes once. Is the transformer not sized correct for it worked correctly in my old house. Any ideas would be very helpful. Thank you.
Hello, I can’t tell what the problem is with your chime for certain without seeing it. The transformer may be at fault a
Though it’s more likely the chime needs to be adjusted. Please send a photo of your chime mechanism (There can be minor differences) and I can tell you the adjustment procedure. Send photos to info@electraxhime.com
Have pictures of the telechime. How do I send them to you? Sent them to the address under your reply but comes back to me. Is there another way to get the pictures to you? Thank you.