What is this thing on my wall?

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Bannor

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#230559 1-Mar-2018 15:37

I recently purchased a property that I intend to renovate. It has this strange looking box on the wall with some circuitry inside it and I have no idea what it is. The house was originally built in 1990 so I think it's likely that this thing dates from then. The house has an alarm system and a Honeywell underfloor heating system but as far as I can tell, this is not part of either of those systems. Please help me solve this mystery. Thanks.

Starscream122

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#1966566 1-Mar-2018 15:39

Doorbell cover

sidefx

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#1966567 1-Mar-2018 15:39

doorbell?

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Mistenfuru

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#1966571 1-Mar-2018 15:42

Defs an old fitted Doorbell, you should be able to confirm by checking your fusebox, it should have a 240v to 12v transformer fitted in it in most cases.

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kryptonjohn

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#1966576 1-Mar-2018 15:48

Bannor:

I recently purchased a property that I intend to renovate. It has this strange looking box on the wall with some circuitry inside it and I have no idea what it is. The house was originally built in 1990 so I think it's likely that this thing dates from then. The house has an alarm system and a Honeywell underfloor heating system but as far as I can tell, this is not part of either of those systems. Please help me solve this mystery. Thanks.

That's your house's flux capacitor. I would advise against messing with it, on account of the gigajoules of energy it can store.

But it's good to know that if you do accidentally destroy it, Jaycar can supply new ones (although shows as out of stock)

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/flux-capacitor/p/OUTATIME

Bannor

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1966590 1-Mar-2018 16:16

The doorbell! That makes sense. Thanks. Do any of you know who manufactured it? I would like to try and track down a new cover to replace that manky old one.

wellygary

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#1966598 1-Mar-2018 16:32

Bannor:

The doorbell! That makes sense. Thanks. Do any of you know who manufactured it? I would like to try and track down a new cover to replace that manky old one.

Carefully remove it an have a look on the back for any sort of ID, its likely the make is long gone out of business as most of this manufacturing has been offshored...

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gzt

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#1966789 1-Mar-2018 21:39

Bannor:
The doorbell! That makes sense. Thanks. Do any of you know who manufactured it? I would like to try and track down a new cover to replace that manky old one.

You have two choices. Sell it as a vintage item or lovingly restore it.

neb

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#1966793 1-Mar-2018 22:02

I've got this thing:

On my wall, not sure what it is.

PS: My house used to be the US ambassadors's residence.

kryptonjohn

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#1966797 1-Mar-2018 22:11

Probably installed by the Russians!

neb

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#1966799 1-Mar-2018 22:15

kryptonjohn:
Probably installed by the Russians!

Almost certainly. @Bannor, does your "doorbell" have cyrillic printing on the back?

raytaylor

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#1966800 1-Mar-2018 22:18

neb: I've got this thing

Do you have any friendly russians living next door?

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neb

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#1966804 1-Mar-2018 22:36

raytaylor:
neb: I've got this thing

Do you have any friendly russians living next door?

No, but the WiFi here is terrible, it's as if there's a lot of stray microwave radiation hitting the house causing interference.

raytaylor

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#1966820 2-Mar-2018 00:08

neb:
raytaylor:

neb: I've got this thing

Do you have any friendly russians living next door?

No, but the WiFi here is terrible, it's as if there's a lot of stray microwave radiation hitting the house causing interference.

Chicken Wire makes a good cheap Faraday cage, and if you cover your house with it, chicken wire removes the need to wear a tinfoil hat while inside your house.

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kryptonjohn

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#1966829 2-Mar-2018 06:46

Plus it keeps your chickens in. Bonus!

robjg63

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#1966841 2-Mar-2018 07:44

Bannor:
The doorbell! That makes sense. Thanks. Do any of you know who manufactured it? I would like to try and track down a new cover to replace that manky old one.

If it's plastic and gone that many brown looking colour that plastic sometimes goes with years on sunlight, you could look up http://www.retr0bright.com/make.html have a look on YouTube for videos of people restoring plastic items (old computer cases) etc using this process.

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