A Coin Controller For Your Antique 3-Slot Payphone


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Last updated on 14:04:09 AEDST, 04 Nov, 2009 View all revisions

Item specifics

Condition:

New

A Coin Controller For

Your Antique

3- Slot Payphone

This auction is best viewed using Internet Explorer. Presented for your consideration: A coin controller for your antique 3-slot payphone. Your payphone will operate now Exactly like it did then! _____ History The prepay 3-slot payphone was a fixture in American life for almost 70 years. Replaced in the 1970s by the single slot payphone and now cellular telephone, these old friends have become collectables and a pleasant reminder of a simpler time. ___ Regardless of the type of prepay 3-slot you own, it requires a special phone line connecting it to the telephone company central office in order to refund or collect any deposited coins. Unfortunately, that type of phone line hasn't been available for years, so it's been impossible to fully replicate the operation of these payphones. If you have a prepay 3-slot payphone connected to your phone line it's nothing but a big, heavy extension phone that 'dings and dongs' when you put coins in it. _____ Overview The controller in this auction was designed to allow your payphone to function like it did when it was in service. Although primarily intended to operate the coin mechanism of later 3-slot payphones with single coil coin relays, the controller has the capability of operating every type of prepay device, regardless of who made it or how old it is. However, the prepay device must meet all its original specifications. The Tip, Ring and Ground are the only connections between the payphone and the controller. They are made using a standard modular telephone cord.

There are no changes made to the internal wiring of the payphone. The payphone must be in original 'as removed from service condition'. The coin mechanism (hopper, wiring and coin relay) must be intact and working. If the payphone was the type that required a 'subset', it must be properly connected. ___ Every detail of your payphone's operation (that gave it 'personality') will be duplicated when it is connected to the controller. The controller gives you the option of choosing Automatic Electric or Western/Northern Electric dial tone acquisition. ___ It will operate 'ancient' 5 cent coin collectors exactly the way they did 100 years ago. ___ Any number of payphones can be connected to the controller. However, only one can be used at a time. ___ Warning! This device generates and stores high voltage. This high voltage is used to operate the coin relay of the connected payphone. A significant risk of electric shock exists.

If you have any doubts about your ability to work safely with or around high voltage Please DO NOT BID ON THIS AUCTION! _____ If you have any questions feel free to email them.

_____ Construction The controller is housed in a heavy, extruded aluminum enclosure with a black textured, powder-coated finish. The front panel is a multi-color silk screened Lexan overlay bonded to 1/16 inch thick aluminum. The top and bottom end panels are molded polycarbonate. _____ Dimensions Weight 1.5 lbs* Height 6.25 inches Width 2.75 inches Depth 1.125 inches Cable length 7 ft * includng accessories Below is a picture of the controller side by side with a pack of cigarettes for size comparison.

___ It Comes With A 110 Volt AC input, 9 Volt DC output 'wall wart' power supply. A modular telephone cord. Assorted hardware and jumpers necessary to connect the modular cord to any type of prepay 3-slot. Two adhesive Velcro pads for mounting. and Detailed instructions on connecting it to prepay Western, Northern and Automatic Electric 3-slot payphones and Western Electric 7A and 7J coin collectors.

_____ Function Display The LEDs indicate the status of various functions of the controller and the connected payphone. ___ When the first LED is lit, the controller has power.

___ When the second and third LEDs are lit, a coin has been deposited in the payphone that will be returned when the handset is hung up.

___ If the handset is off-hook for more than 60 seconds, the third LED turns off and the forth LED lights. ___ When the second and forth LEDs are lit, any deposited coins in the payphone will be collected when the handset is hung up.

___ The fifth LED lights after: The handset is hung up The call is complete The second and third (or forth) LED has turned off And While the coin relay triggers and the hopper disposes of deposited coins.

___ After the coin relay triggers and resets, the fifth LED turns off. The controller is ready for the next call. ___ "It's little, it's lovely, it lights" Sorry about that! _____ Dial Tone Prepay Automatic Electric payphones differed from Western and Northern Electric in the way they acquired dial tone. Before the advent of 'Dial Tone First', in order to receive dial tone on a Western or Northern Electric 3-slot, the initial deposit had to be made. Automatic Electric prepay 3-slots operated differently. You heard a dial tone whenever the handset was lifted. It didn't make any difference if you made a deposit or not. However, unless you made the initial deposit your ability to dial a number was disabled. The controller allows you to choose either dial tone after initial deposit or dial tone whenever the handset is lifted. ___ Your choice of dial tone acquisition is set by the position of two DIP switches that are accessed through an opening in the back of the controller. The switch assembly has a rubber gasket around it and against the back of the enclosure. Keeps dust out and the electrons in. Refer to the picture below.

With the switches in the ON (up) position you will receive dial tone whenever the handset is lifted (Automatic Electric operation). With the switches in the OFF (down) position you will receive dial tone only after the initial deposit is made (Northern and Western Electric operation). ___ Whether you are connecting one or a large collection of Automatic Electric prepay 3-slots to the controller, to be historically accurate you will want dial tone when the handset is lifted. However, if you're connecting an Automatic Electric and a Western or Northern 3-slot to the controller at the same time, you must choose dial tone after the inital deposit. If you are a 'really' dedicated payphone collector and want 100% historical accuracy, you will need two controllers; one for your Automatic Electric payphone collection and one connected to your Westerns and Northerns. _____ Coin Functions When prepay 3-slots were in service deposited coins were collected only if the dialed number actually answered. If the dialed number never answered the initial deposit was returned when you hung up. Unfortunately, due to changes in telephone technology, a controller that could operate this way today would be complex and very expensive. ___ This controller connected to your payphone was designed to be a device for amusement. Since it only mimics the operation of, but is not a revenue-producing public telephone, coin return or collect doesn't have to be a function of the dialed number actually answering, it can be timed. Timing this function adds coin control to your payphone at a reasonable cost. ___ The controller switches from coin return to collect 60 seconds after the initial deposit is made. This gives enough time to: Dial all the digits of the phone number, even if it has lots of 9s and 0s, which take the most time to dial Allows time for the call to connect Gives the called party time to answer after 3 or 4 rings. ___ If you hang up before sixty seconds has passed since the initial deposit was made, the coins in the hopper will eventually be returned. If you hang up after sixty seconds has passed since the initial deposit was made, the coins in the hopper will eventually be collected. _____ Incoming Calls The controller has an 'in-bound call detector' that is enabled when Western or Northern Electric dial tone acquisition is chosen. This circuit disables coin control while your phone line is being called, allowing you to answer incoming calls with the payphone. Aside from having to answer during the ring, you answer incoming calls with the payphone just like any other telephone. If Automatic Electric dial tone acquisition is chosen, the in-bound call detector is disabled, allowing you to answer incoming calls with the payphone like you would with any telephone. _____ A Look Inside

___ This picture shows the In-Bound Call Detector and the Coin Return Timer boards with the Function Display unplugged. A five volt high current regulator is mounted on the main pc board under the 'In-Bound Call Detector'.

_____ The Top Panel Below is a picture of 'the ins and outs' of payphone control.

_____ Mounting The controller comes with two adhesive Velcro pads for mounting. It is not position sensitive and small enough so it can be hidden and out of sight. However, there's a good reason for mounting it in a conspicuous location. These payphones are electro-mechanical devices that weren't exactly made yesterday. Coins might get stuck and coin relays could misfire and jam. You wouldn't want your phone line busied-out by a 'sick' payphone and not know it. If any of the payphones connected to the controller malfunction, the LEDs will tell you there's a problem. _____ Coin Relay Operation The controller will operate both double and single coil prepay coin relays, as long as they meet the manufacturer's original factory settings and specifications. Double Coil Coin Relay

This is an Automatic Electric double coil coin relay. There are a few minor mechanical and cosmetic differences between it and one manufactured by Northern or Western Electric. However, electrically they are identical. The design dates back almost 100 years. Although 'tried and true', they are crude and mechanically inefficient. Getting them to operate successfully with the controller can sometimes be a challenge. This is because: The 'travel' of the armature that enables the coin relay to move the parts in the hopper that dispose of deposited coins is a function of the strength (magnetic 'flux') of the permanent magnet mounted between the two coils of the relay. Unfortunately, permanent magnets loose strength with age, constant changes in temperature and physical shock. When the 'flux' of the permanent magnet weakens, the armature doesn't have sufficient 'travel' to make the hopper function. ___ Below is a link to an article that describes how these coin relays operate. http://atcaonline.com/coinrelay.html ___ Although told not to, coin phone technicians would make adjustments to coin relays 'in the field' to clear trouble caused by age and wear. The position and spacing of contacts and the tension of springs was changed from their factory settings. Coin relays were supposed to be replaced and the defective units sent to a repair facility. ___ If your coin relay was 'fiddled with', it probably won't work reliably with the controller and will have to be adjusted or replaced. However, if you are fortunate enough to own a payphone with a double coil relay that meets all the original factory settings and specifications, it will work fine with the controller. ___ Single Coil Coin Relay Inside an Automatic Electric 3-slot with a single coil coin relay.

The single coil coin relay was developed by Bell Labs and first used by Western Electric in the model 233G payphone introduced in 1959. Automatic Electric began building payphones with single coil coin relays in July, 1967. Unlike double coil coin relays, they are rugged and very efficient.

Unless they've had a tremendous amount of use and have parts that are badly worn, they will work fine with the controller. ____ Defective Coin Relays Some double coil coin relays are in such bad condition they will never operate correctly with the controller. Replacing them with a single coil coin relay and hopper is a simple and relatively inexpensive solution regardless of who manufactured the payphone. These coin relays and hoppers appear on Ebay from time to time, at reasonable prices. ___ The above does not apply to payphones with a separate transmitter and receiver, like the one shown in this auction. Every effort should be made to keep a vintage 2-piece payphone as original as possible. ___ Although all hoppers for single coil relays look alike from the front, they aren't. The hopper for a Western or Northern Electric is a little deeper and will not fit into an Automatic Electric. An Automatic Electric hopper will fit every 3-slot, regardless of the manufacturer. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at the back. Automatic Electric hoppers have a circular design in the casting.

_____ Connecting The Controller Automatic Electric Payphones Connecting the controller to an Automatic Electric prepay 3-slot regardless of the type of coin relay it uses is simple. Since these payphones are self-contained, they don't need a subset like most Western and Northern Electrics. The Tip, Ring and Ground appear next to each other on a terminal strip inside the payphone. Refer to the pictures below.

The lugged wires in the modular output cable from the controller connect to the top three screws of the terminal strip. Red (Ring) to L1 Yellow (Ground) to G Green (Tip) to L2 The cable is strain relieved on the forth screw. _____ Western And Northern Electric Payphones Connecting the controller to Western and Northern Electric prepay 3-slots is identical to connecting it to an Automatic Electric. If your payphone has an internal network, only three connections are made in the payphone: Tip, Ring and Ground. Remember, we are talking about a 'factory built' Western or Northern Electric payphone, not a bunch of junk put together by a 'hobbyist expert'. (Unfortunately, the latter describes most of the payphones on Ebay). Prepay 180 and 190 series (that were not re-manufactured for subset use) and model 236G are examples of 3-slots that are easy to work with. If your payphone is the type that doesn't have an internal network and requires an external subset, connecting the subset is more involved than connecting the controller. (A subset is an external box that contained a network and a ringer.) ___ Below is a picture of a 191G with the cable for the controller connected. The cable is strain relieved on the screw that mounts the equalizing spring. It's below the large hole in the back casting. This 191G had its coin relay and hopper changed to a single coil type some time in the past. It was originally built with a double coil coin relay in the late 1940s.

Regardless of the type of coin relay, the Tip, Ring and Ground connections remain the same. The Red (Ring) lead connects to the (Y) terminal of the switchhook/transfer contact assembly. The Green (Tip) lead connects to the (R) terminal of the switchhook/transfer contact assembly. The Yellow (Ground) lead connects to the (G) ground terminal of the coin relay. ___ Western Electric prepay 50G, 55G, 150G, 155G and 160 series 2 piece payphones as well as the 170 and most of the later 200 series handset models require subsets. Detailed instructions on connecting a subset (or a small printed circuit board equivalent-your choice) to all prepay Western and Northern 3-slots, are included with the controller. Once the payphone and the subset are working properly, connecting the controller is a simple matter. _____ Odds And Ends Call Waiting The controller was designed to operate with modern telephone features like 'call waiting'. When a call is made with the payphone, if a second call comes in, the switchhook can be 'flashed' and the incoming call answered. When Western/Northern dial tone acquisition is chosen, if you've answered an incoming call, you can't flash the switchhook to answer a second one. If you do, both calls will be lost. However, if Automatic Electric dial tone acquisition was chosen, the switchhook can be 'flashed' and a second incoming call answered. ___ Touch Tone The controller was designed to support all Touch Tone prepay 3-slots manufactured by Western, Northern and Automatic Electric. They are: The 10 button Western Electric 1234G. The only Touch Tone 3-slot they manufactured before the introduction of the 12 button single slot payphone. The Northern Electric NE-1236 and NE-2236 10 and 12 button 3-slots. These are very well built payphones. The Automatic Electric LPC 72-55 The worst 3-slot Touch Tone payphone ever made. ___ Ringers If your payphone or subset has an internal ringer it's not going to work. The controller isolates everything connected to it from the phone line. In order for the ringer to work, you will have to wire it and the series capacitor to the Tip and Ring of the phone line before the controller. That means there will be two additional wires coming out of the payphone or the subset. If you have a payphone or subset with an internal ringer, it's worth the extra effort to make it ring, for originality. ___ The 236G was the only 3-slot factory built by Western Electric with an internal ringer assembly. This ringer assembly was also used in modified 233G and 234G payphones on special order. Below is a picture of the P-29E307 ringer assembly in a Western Electric 236G.

___ Northern Electric built 10 and 12 button Touch Tone 3-slots with an internal M1A ringer in the top of the payphone . Northern Electric never manufactured a rotary payphone with an internal ringer. ___ Automatic Electric NEVER manufactured any 3-slot payphone rotary or Touch Tone with an internal ringer. ___ If your payphone has an internal ringer mounted on or near the coin hopper it's not factory original, it's a pile of junk. To make room for the ringer, the coin relay was pulled out and tossed in the garbage. Then, the internal parts of the coin hopper were destroyed, so deposited coins would travel in one direction. The ringer was mounted with one screw forced into the hopper body or it was mounted flat on the tray so coins could fall in it, jam it up or short it out. Before any attempt is made to make a pile of junk like that work with the controller, the ringer, wiring and all the associated garbage (probably some type of network or induction coil) that was installed with it must be removed and the damage done to the payphone repaired. Good luck with that. _____ Videos Below are six short videos showing the controller operating: A Western Electric 233G A Western Electric 1234G Touch Tone 3-slot payphone Automatic Electric 3-slot payphones A Western Electric 191G handset payphone A Gray/Western 50G 2 piece payphone A 7A and 7J Western Electric 5 cent coin collector ___ The telephone audio you hear is from a 'Spokesman' telephone amplifier connected to the phone line and out of camera view. ___ These videos are a work in progress. They won't win any awards but they do an adequate job demonstrating the operation of the controller. ___ NONE OF THE PAYPHONES OR COIN COLLECTORS IN THESE VIDEOS ARE FOR SALE! ___ I received a few emails asking if the controller would work with a Western Electric 233G. Since the controller is taking the place of the prepay coin telephone line any prepay device connected to it will work properly. This video shows a 233G with a 685 subset being operated by the controller. It demonstrates the operation of the 3-slot when a dime or two nickels are deposited and shows the return and collect functions.

___

_____ The second video shows the controller operating a Western Electric 1234G. The 1234G was the only model 3-slot Touch Tone payphone Western Electric manufactured before the introduction of the single slot payphone. Notice it only has 10 buttons (no * or #). This payphone has a printed circuit network in a 'flip top' cigarette box that sits in the coin vault, instead of a 685 subset. Comprehensive instructions on doing this are included with the controller and can also be found at: http://atcaonline.com/WE200payphones.html ___

_____ The next video shows the controller operating two Automatic Electric prepay LPB 82-55 3-slots. The red has a double coil coin relay, the ivory a single coil type. ___ Setting the DIP switches for Automatic Electric dial tone acquisition is shown. The way these payphones count deposited nickels and enable dial function is demonstrated. The controller's ability to switch these 3-slots between coin return and collect when the handset is off hook for more than 60 seconds is shown.

___ Then, the tops were taken off and connected with a test cable. The coin relays and nickel counting assemblies of both payphones are shown being operated by the controller. Only one nickel was deposited to demonstrate an abandoned call because the 'travel' of the nickel counter's armature is more and easier to see when it resets from the one nickel position. Below is a closeup of a nickel counter assembly in the one nickel position.

Closeups of both types of coin relays returning a deposited coin are shown. Double coil coin relays, although not as efficient, did a remarkable job for a very long time.

_____ The next video shows the controller operating the updated Western Electric 191G mentioned above. This payphone was manufactured the second quarter of 1948. If you look closely you can see the date stamp on the back casting in the vault compartment. The single coil coin relay was installed many years later, it's dated 1961. ___ The video shows the DIP switches being set for dial tone after initial deposit. Notice how the first deposited nickel is 'trapped' until a second nickel is deposited. They fall together and trigger the coin relay, the controller sees the deposit and gives the payphone dial tone. ___ The 191G isn't shown open and the coin relay operating because it works exactly like the ivory Automatic Electric in the first video.

_____ The next video shows the controller operating the Gray/Western 50G, 2 piece, 5 cent paystation with a 334 subset, shown below.

This 50G has a double coil coin relay with a flat magnet. The coin relay is dated 1938. It's 71 years old! I'm sure the payphone is older. It has a 3E 'butterfly' transmitter mount. Butterfly mounts were replaced with 10A transmitter mounts and 'daisy' dial shrouds added to these payphones at least 10 years earlier. This payphone shows no evidence of ever having either. Below is a close-up of the coin relay showing the flat magnet.

The video shows the payphone's top removed and connected by clip leads. The coin relay is shown being operated by the controller to return and collect deposited coins. ___ As old as this payphone is, it still works fine with the controller.

_____ The final video shows the controller operating an ancient Western Electric 7A cast iron, five cent coin collector and a newer model 7J. Both coin collectors are wired to a Western Electric dial candlestick with a 534 subset.

Historically, these coin collectors were used with every type of telephone. Any deskset or wallphone of the proper vintage could have been used for this demonstration. The candlestick and subset date back to the late 1920s. They were chosen because they were easy to reach and take off the shelf, not necessarily because they were historically the best choice. The 7A coin collector is 100 years old and probably hasn't been 'requested' to work in over 60 years. The 7J is a few years newer; it has an improved coin switch and a steel housing instead of cast iron. Both of these old guys worked perfectly with the controller.

_____ Let's Talk These are a few reasons why you might want to think twice about bidding on this auction. ___ The controller is not a 'plug and play' device. You must have a working knowledge of electronics, payphones and in particular, be familiar with the operation of payphone coin mechanisms. ___ The controller generates and stores high voltage. A significant shock hazard does exist. ___ Remember, the payphone connected to the controller must be complete and in operating condition. Payphones are difficult to find in that condition today. ___ There is a good chance that even if the payphone is complete and in good condition it will require adjustments. If your payphone has a double coil coin relay it will probably require 'tweaking' to make it operate reliably with the controller. Finding someone who worked with these payphones and is capable of making these adjustments might not be possible. ___ However, if you: Have a background in electronics Understand payphone coin mechanisms Want your payphone to work 'now' like it did 'then' Are confident that you are capable of making it work properly with the controller Have experience with and most of all 'respect' for high voltage Enjoy thinking about, watching and making things work like they did in the past Then, by all means bid, and good luck to you! _____

Using a 3-slot payphone with coin control is like taking a step back in time!

_ A Suggestion If you have an interest in antique payphones you should get a copy of this book. 'Payphone History' is the most comprehensive study of the evolution of the payphone ever undertaken. It is the result of an enormous amount of research. It covers over 100 years of payphone history. The author, Ron Knappen, is a recognized expert on the subject. The book is available on Ebay. Do a search for Ebay seller: THISUNDTHAT5HNQ _
Thanks for looking and have a great day! __

Terms of Sale
Bidding If you have zero feedback you must contact me before bidding. If you have more than 3 negatives in the past year you must contact me before bidding. I reserve the right to cancel any bid for any reason. Payment Payment is by Paypal ONLY! New York State residents must add 8.70% Sales Tax or email a valid Tax Resale Certificate after the close of the auction. Shipping and Insurance I Do Not Make A Profit On Shipping! No local pickup - all items must be shipped. Insurance is MANDATORY! I ship 1-2 business days after payment is received. I only ship via UPS in the U.S. Shipments to Canada and Australia are by USPS. Foreign bidders please note: Shipments are via USPS Customs Declarations are filled out accurately. What is on the Customs Declaration is what is in the box. The declared value on the Customs Declaration is the exact amount of the winning bid. The winning bidder is solely responsible for all taxes, fees and duties. Packing Every effort is made to insure that what comes out of the box at your end is in the same condition it was in when it went into the box at our end.

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Postal insurance	Sales tax
Not offered	Seller charges sales tax for items posted to: NY (8.7%).

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The seller will not accept returns for this item.

Refunds by law: In Australia, consumers have a legal right to obtain a refund from a business for goods purchased (but not at auction) if the goods are faulty, not fit for purpose or don't match description. More information at returns.

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Your antique payphone will work NOW like it did THEN

Using a 3-slot payphone with coin control is like taking a step back in time!

Thanks for looking and have a great day! ____________

Terms of Sale