A Brief Overview of a NuTone LA70 Short Tube Bar Chime Base

[@bgarcia856]

You are the MF'ing man!!! I have a short tube from the 60's. Between 3 of your videos I have serviced every part. Solenoids, Stator and its board track. You're very thorough and are an excellent teacher. I have a new found appreciation for these old doorbells and would want nothing else for my home. Mine says clean with lighter fluid. Thanks again I couldn't have done it without you.

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Barry, Thanks for the kind comments. I'm very glad to hear that you were able to service your NuTone Chime and that you appreciate the fine sound that it makes - Good On Ya - Chris

[@bigbirdbigbird]

I grew up with this doorbell. 😁❤️ The Beverly Hillbillies use the same one. 👍🏻

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Punky Brewster: Sounds cool - Thanks for the Comment - How's Brandon? - Chris

[@NyxKemo]

This sounds awsome these are my favourite door chime

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Canada Elevators: i could not agree more - 8-Note Bar Chimes have always been my favorite - Chris

[@NyxKemo]

Also i subscribed

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

@@NyxKemo Nice! - Chris

[@NyxKemo]

And thanks to you i started collecting doorbells cause you are the person who got me interested in doorbells

[@Tibulace]

I really like the sounds produced by these old bells with sound tubes.These days, they would be prohibitively expensive.But I really don't understand why manufacturers don't release electronic versions of that doorbells, sounds recorded on a flash drive, with the same sound quality.

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Tiburtiono: To reproduce the tonal quality of a real Long Tube Chime is not as simple as you may think. There have been (are probably still are) electronic chimes made by other companies, that try to reproduce this sound - Most are horrible sounding failures - Chris

[@Tibulace]

@@northsideservicecompany3567 Have any of these manufacturers used a real recording, in high fidelity, of the sounds produced by the sound tubes, on a flash drive, for example?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

@@Tibulace Not that I've ever seen (or heard). It would also require an exceptionally well design playback circuit to reproduce the sound quality - Chris

[@Tibulace]

@@northsideservicecompany3567 I agree. I'm going to use a 100 W amplifier, with a flash drive and two 5-inch speakers, 65 W each.I think I'm going to need an adjustable electronic relay, to turn a user-given variable-duration touch into something with a fair duration of a ding dong cycle.

[@1uniquemonique]

So glad I found this video. I'm going to purchase a Nutone LA305 and I wanted to hear how it sounds before I buy it. The westminster sound is just what I want.

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi 1uniquemonique: The LA305 is an entirely different chime than the LA70 so it may not sound the same - Chris

[@TheDrJ2006]

I have a similar model from 1978, except the hi note's solenoid doesn't fire. And the transformer needs replaced. Although I fixed the hi note's solenoid, I just need to test it to be sure if I fixed it.

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi TheDrJ2006: Be sure to let us know if your repair has worked out - Chris

[@TheDrJ2006]

@@northsideservicecompany3567 ok

[@HoustonTech]

I've had this unit for about 12 years. All of a sudden there is a 4 or 5 minute delay from when the button is pushed and when the chimes sound. Any ideas ?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi HoustonTech: If the Chime is the version with the electronic control board, the board needs to be repaired / rebuilt. If it's an early model with the Telechron Motor, the chime needs to be cleaned and serviced - Chris

[@rcole6679]

I have been thoroughly confused about this Nutone chime kit’s classification of what category it falls under, until now. Since I’ve been interested in this model, I see the chime bars and hear them play or sound off, when they’re are struck. To me and because of how Ring classifies this model, this is a mechanical door chime, because it is not playing a tune from a digitally recorded microchip. However, the description of this video explains and classifies this model as an electronic door chime. To me, electronic means digital. To Ring, it means the same thing and I believe we are both wrong. If i am finally understanding this correctly, the sound of this chime is a true classic door chime with respect to how it sounds. The sound is coming from little hammers or strikers which hit each bar. But how the strikers are activated is done electronically from the solenoids, as opposed to a mechanical motor, which used to move the little hammers. If I am correct on this please let me know one way or the other. I know other consumers are confused and are calling this a mechanical doorbell, too. In reality, there are or were mechanical door chimes and today we have mechanical (possibly), electronic door chimes and digital or digitally recorded door chimes, which are recorded on a microchip. Ring, I believe has thoroughly confused the public with their terminology and Nutone didn’t really answer my question either. Thanks for the explanation, which i finally think I am clear on.

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Ron: You are correct in that the sound of the Chime is created mechanically when the plungers hit the tone bars. The plungers are activated by electrical solenoids - which are controlled by the electronic circuit board. In earlier versions of these models - the solenoids were controlled by the electrical connects made by the motor driven switch across the traces on the circuit board. This was not at all an "electronic" design - just an automated electro-mechanical design - Chris

[@ricardobarron8049]

Hi Chris, I have a Miami Carey 8 Note long tube door chime from the late 60's or early 70's I don't know if you can fix it. I tried and cleaned the selenids and they work fine, but the motor does not turns the whole circle. And sometimes the selenoids stays connected, need to push the button again so the circuit can open. I was wondering if you can help me

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Recardo: I can try to help you - it is likely that your Miami-Carey Chime is actually a Rittenhouse Chime. You will need to contact me directly about your Chime. Sending me some pictures of the Chime Base will be needed to identify what you actually have - Chris [e-mail]

[@jimsaribalis626]

Need help. My grandfathers old NUtone LA-70 won’t chime anymore. When I test it the way you did with the common and to the front/side/rear. I get no chime when I hit the front?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Jim: You should contact be directly about the LA70 Chime - Chris 925-743-8236

[@mjvbhaskar1000]

I have been looking for a chime like this? Is it possible to buy one now? Can you give me any leads?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi mjvbhaskar: NuTone still makes the LA70MA - You can find them for sale on-line form lots of sellers - Chris

[@TouchscreamPresents]

14:13 for full chime

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi TouchscreamPresents: And a wonderful sounding Chime it is - Chris

[@JonathanR13]

I moved into my house 5 months ago and have a similar Chime that was working just fine until a couple of weeks ago. My wired doorbell button lights up, but when it's pressed nothing happens. Any ideas?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi FitnessTechNcars: Without more specific information - it's impossible to know where to start with may be wrong. If you want to email me some pictures of the Chime - I'll have a look at the and then contact you - Chris [e-mail]

[@anyolname6355]

Can the chime/tune be changed from the ones that comes with it?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi AnyOLName: No, not really. The musical notes are based on the Tone Bars and the Sequence is predetermined by the electronics. I have seen elaborate musical chimes - which have between 20 - 30 Tone Bars or Tubular Bells (tubes) which are controlled by a programmable electronic controller - which can play just about any tune of great length that you could think of - Chris

[@anyolname6355]

@@northsideservicecompany3567 I understand the limits, just wondering it based on the chimes it has if it can be programed to play something else.

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

@@anyolname6355 Nope, it doesn't use a programmable controller - Chris

[@ChopperCharles]

How do I bench test one of these? What is the yellow wire attaching to?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi ChopperCharles: To test a Chime on the workbench, you wire it up to a Transformer (16 volts AC 30 Watts) add pushbuttons (basically duplicating a standard chime installation) and give it a try. It will work better standing up rather than laying down. Make sure the plungers move freely, if they're stuck in the Solenoid Bores, they won't ring I have no idea what your "yellow wire" is about - there's no wiring that comes off the Chime when it was made - Chris

[@ChopperCharles]

@@northsideservicecompany3567 the yellow wire in your video. I didn’t have a wiring diagram come with this but I figured it out eventually. Had to use a 16vac wall wart from an old turntable but got it working. One broken solenoid wire and a lot of unbending of bent parts fixed it nicely.

[@richardmahoney4531]

is this the same base as the Broan-NuTone C306

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi richard: No, not at all. All of the Broan "NuTone" Chime models that begin with the letter "C" have nothing to do with real NuTone Chimes. The "C" model are loosely based on the original Rittenhouse Door Chime designs, which were update by Broan. - Chris

[@anyolname6355]

Inam looking to buy something like this for my new home. Any suggestions and where to get a true mechanical door bell?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi AnyOLName: NuTone still makes the LA70MA - which is essentially the same Chime is the one in the Video - You can buy them on-line form many sources - Chris

[@anyolname6355]

@@northsideservicecompany3567 Is the LA305WL comparable?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

@@anyolname6355 No - Not in my opinion. The "Broan" LA305WL is based on a late 1990's Rittenhouse Chime - It is not considered a NuTone Chime - It will not have the same tonal quality of a real NuTone Chime. - Chris

[@p.t89]

I got one like that the only problem I got is I have to keep my finger to hear all the tones… any solution for that

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi P.T - I am unclear on your question - More detail would also be helpful - Chris

[@p.t89]

@@northsideservicecompany3567 if someone rings at the door he as to keep is finger so we hear the bell if he just press it and let go nothing is working

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

@@p.t89 There are at lest 2 possible reason for it not working correctly- - - - ->>> 1. If this Chime has been installed in this house since it was new, and it worked correctly before and no one has taken it down and then re-installed it, with the wiring done incorrectly - The Chime is probably damaged and needs to be repaired - - - - ->>> 2. If this Chime is newly installed in this house and it's never worked correctly, you have it wired wrong. This Video shows how this type of Chime must be wired - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipuuhqtnbbl4rMU Chris

[@tamanimania]

Could you please make a video showing how to install this type of door chime to replace an existing door bell? and also: is this type of door chime compatible to the Ring doorbell? Thank you!

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi HereRIGHTmatters: Here's a link to our Video about how this type of Chime is wired : kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipuuhqtnbbl4rMU - Here's a link to our Video that shows how to make the Chime work with a WiFi Door Camera: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qme8pKqjebOJr6s Chris

[@tamanimania]

@@northsideservicecompany3567 Thank you very much for your quick response and links! I am going to take this weekend to figure out how to install this door chime by myself and still have the Ring doorbell work properly. In your video you talk about the Nest doorbell, I hope it does not make a difference which system you have to deal with. Again, thank you very much! You are awesome!

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

​@@tamanimania As long as the Ring you choose has the ability to operate a standard 2-Note Mechanical Door Bell - it can be made to work with your NuTone LA70. You will need the Relay Board we show in the Video - Chris

[@tamanimania]

@@northsideservicecompany3567 my door chime is slightly different and I'm so confused... just its simple installment is maddening... (not even dealing with the Ring doorbell yet) I called two different electricians, but I suspect they have no idea either.. I'd like to send you a photo to show you what this door chime looks like. May I email you a couple of photos to ask you for help, please?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

@@tamanimania Sure - email me as many pictures as need - to - [e-mail] - Chris

[@philtalarico7297]

Northside, are you still around? I watched your video. I have a question about the standoffs or rubber grommet supports for the chime bar dumbbell shaped rubber grommets that isolate the chime bar allowing it to chime. I purchased a Nutone LA305WL. However, one of the chime bars became disengaged. I was able to reinstall the dumbell shapped grommets back into the chime bar rubber grommet standoffs. However, I noticed that the right outboard resonator tube has the lower chime bar rubber isolator grommet standoff mounted at the top of the resonator while the other two resonators have the lower chime bar rubber isolator grommet stand off mounted lower into the resonator. Is this the correct installation for the rubber grommet support or standoff? Or do I need to lower it into the resonator. It appears to be mounted ok but I suspect a quality control issue on the standoff installation. I can email you a picture if you need more info. I can send to the email you have posted. Please advise.

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Phil: Your LA305L is not actually a NuTone Chime. It is a model that has been made by Broan since before the merger with NuTone. I have no first hand experience with you chime and Broan does not provide any technical information or parts for the chime. I would say that if the chime rings correctly and sounds fine, leave it alone - Chris

[@jrbosnia8002]

Hi . I have rittenhouse 4 tubes. Can you fix it

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Jr Bosnia: I don't usually work on Rittenhouse Chimes, so I will need to see some pictures of your Chime. Please conatct me directly about your Chime - Chris 925-743-8236

[@rtasap]

Hello Ron my name is Ron a well. I am replacing all of the solid state components on my chime just to avoid diagnosis however, I have not been able to identify one component. Do you know what type of Transistor is at Q1?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

Hi Ron: Q1 is a BC373 NPN Transistor - Chris

[@rtasap]

Thank you! I had looked up KSP06 based on what I could see on the transistor and it lead me to Mouser part number 512-KSP06BU. www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/512-KSP06BU or this one www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ON-Semiconductor-Fairchild/KSP06?qs=sGAEpiMZZMshyDBzk1%2fWi6MZZsKOf5hyIHVQo%252bZbqOM%3d They both seem similar however I will go with your recommendation. Do you know of a good site to get the grommets? Oh one other thing I ordered a Nutone C907 Low voltage transformer which reads 16v 30wa but it puts out 19v with no load is this ok to use? Thanks for all your help Ronn