[Jim’s] technique for turning a wireless doorbell into a custom ringtone player is so simple. He manages to get the entire thing done using only a screwdriver and wire clippers as tools. But if you’re looking to use this over the long-term we’d recommend soldering the connections rather than relying only on the twisted wires.
Above you can see all the components used in the project. The wireless doorbell unit is no different from most battery-operated units on the market today. Inside the Radio Shack box is a recording module that lets you play up to 20 seconds of audio. This is powered by the 9V battery on the right. [Jim] removes the speaker from the doorbell and clips off one of the wires that connected it to the board. This is reused as the ground connection for the recording module. The other speaker wire is connected to the ‘Play’ button on the module’s PCB. That’s it, just record your custom sound and pack everything back into the doorbell’s case. You can see the entire hack and hear a demonstration after the break.
not bad but probably wouldn’t be as loud as the doorbell
Try a http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/API-4260-LW150-R/668-1213-ND/2650625 from digikey, I installed 2 of them at the local Little Caesars, one for the front door, one for the side, then gave them a distinctive version of the Westminster chimes, which i played out on my keyboard and recorded into my computer. mind you, what I did wasn’t a hack, it’s just my job.
The only people who ring a door bell are the people you probably don’t want to talk with. Our door bell is hooked to nothing. Either our friends are expected, or they text us when they get here. The only good door bell is the one that doesn’t work at all.
I thought I was the only one who had a disconnected door bell, I wanted to put a sign up with a quote from Johnny Mnemonic, “If you’re not expected then you’re not welcome, so go away,” but my wife said it was an unreadable mess, so we have a graphic of a cat hissing that just says “go away” above it. It seems to be doing the trick.
Package delivery? Police? Landlord?
Packages go to our work address, Police – get real, if the police are on my doorstep they better be waving the warrant at the security camera or have their flack vest on. Landlord – um, we own the house and it’s private property.
With package delivery, well, i have nosy neighbors, no one is going to steal it. Police? I help them out whenever I can, they have my cell number. I don’t have a landlord, so three for three, I’m good, thanks for playing.
I wonder if I could replace my car horn with the radio shack box (probably need to do more than twist wires though.)
recorder or maybe voice sheild/waveshield + bullhorn would make a good horn
might nee a micro (and relay/mosfet) to turn the bullhorn on when you press the horn so it’s not always on
with the voice or wave shield you could have different sounds like “hey the light’s green” “ahemm..”, a gotye clip “you didn’t have to cut me off” etc…
not a bad idea
This message will self destruct in 3…2….1….
24vac relay 12v ups battery on a trickle charger and a car horn would replace an existing doorbell
What brand doorbell was this?