Changing a doorbell button

rsynnott

I've got a doorbell button that's sticking, so want to replace it. I'm not sure how to remove it, though. Picture attached. Are these usually screwed on under the cover? How does the cover come off?

batman1

rsynnott wrote: »

I've got a doorbell button that's sticking, so want to replace it. I'm not sure how to remove it, though. Picture attached. Are these usually screwed on under the cover? How does the cover come off?

Cover comes off using a screwdriver between the black and the clear plastic anywhere along the side. The base is screwed into the doorframe under the black cover. Don't worry about damaging it if you're replacing it. Simple job. Just 2 wires into 2 contacts. Doesn't matter which way around they go. You can get white ones now which are much brighter.
You might have to pare back the wires if there is corrosion on them.

rsynnott

Thanks, will give it a go, then. Probably not til the weekend, so I can do it in the light. I should be turning off the power at the fuse box before trying this, right?

colm_mcm

Cover prob doesn't even need a screwdriver and will probably just pull off.

rsynnott

Took the button off, the top came off easily. Underneath, it’s screwed directly into the aluminum sliding door frame, and the wire comes in through the side, through a hole cut in the button’s base. The button is a bit longer than the ones that are available in hardware shops, so the screws don’t match up with the existing holes in the door frame, and as the holes are already very close to the lock, I’m reluctant to try making new ones.

I’m thinking of just taping up the wires and putting them behind a stick-on wireless bell push, and just abandoning the wired system. Is this safe enough? Can’t think of any reason why it shouldn’t be.

cletus

It's absolutely safe, but I can't see any reason not to drill two more holes and mount the button you bought. You might even get away with using on if the original holes, and only have to drill one more

bonzodog2

Yours looks like a Friedland make. There's very little to go wrong in them, maybe the fault is elsewhere, i.e. bell or transformer (prob in the fuseboard/consumer unit, and you're better off with a sparks unless you are very confident)
The bell wiring outside the consumer unit will be low voltage

red sean

Have you touched the two wires together to check the bell rings? If so and the bell is ok, I'd go with cletus's advice.
Those Friedland push buttons regularly suffered corroded contacts.

exaisle

If you're replacing it, it comes off with a hammer... ;-)

rsynnott

Yeah, bell works fine when I touch the wires together. Only reason I’m cautious about drilling another hole is that it’s very close to the lock mechanism for the door anyway, and I don’t want to damage anything.

It’s a Friedland alright. The button is very stiff and tends to stick either out or in, so I think it’s dead.

One more question, how do I make a hole in the new bell push for the wire to come in the side? Was trying with a Stanley knife but not getting anywhere fast. Pic of hole in the old bell push attached. Sorry for all the questions, I’m fairly clueless about DIY.

batman1

If you don't want to drill a new hole just use one screw to hold it and see how it is. It'll more than likely be fine. Any loads will be pushing it in rather than pulling it. If it feels loose then just drill the new hole. The screws are small and shouldn't interfere with the lock.

As for making the hole in the new housing , try a small hacksaw.

colm_mcm

You can still get those type buttons new AFAIK.

rsynnott

colm_mcm wrote: »

You can still get those type buttons new AFAIK.

This is what I ended up doing in the end; Lenehans on Capel Street had them.