I'm not gonna go into the major physical problems I'm dealing with that has limited my ability to take these measurements. Nor am I gonna quantify the fact that telephone circuitry is not my area of expertise. It's consumer electronics, and in that field believe me I can hold my own.
Gee, that DID make me feel better!

Okay-
I put a 0,1 cap in series with my Triplett analogue meter to block the 'on hook' DC voltage. The AC voltage readings were the same for several calls-
50VAC

I then hooked the neon bulb that I'm trying to use to my Eico variable transformer which has a very accurate volt meter.
It did not light up until 70 VAC.

Results-
I'd say that a 20 volt difference would account for the problem I'm having. It would also explain why the bulb worked next door. The Bell South ring voltage probably is closer to 105VAC.
I haven't been able to try Edd's LED recommendation yet. That's next on my list, when I can get back out of bed.

Here's something else I don't know right off the bat-
Do different neon bulbs light at different voltages?

Also, I want to sincerely thank those who've taken the time and effort to help with this project. It may not seem like much, but it has meant a GREAT deal to me.
Terry

:I'm not gonna go into the major physical problems I'm dealing with that has limited my ability to take these measurements. Nor am I gonna quantify the fact that telephone circuitry is not my area of expertise. It's consumer electronics, and in that field believe me I can hold my own.
:Gee, that DID make me feel better!
:
:Okay-
:I put a 0,1 cap in series with my Triplett analogue meter to block the 'on hook' DC voltage. The AC voltage readings were the same for several calls-
:50VAC
:
:I then hooked the neon bulb that I'm trying to use to my Eico variable transformer which has a very accurate volt meter.
:It did not light up until 70 VAC.
:
:Results-
: I'd say that a 20 volt difference would account for the problem I'm having. It would also explain why the bulb worked next door. The Bell South ring voltage probably is closer to 105VAC.
:I haven't been able to try Edd's LED recommendation yet. That's next on my list, when I can get back out of bed.
:
:Here's something else I don't know right off the bat-
:Do different neon bulbs light at different voltages?
:
:Also, I want to sincerely thank those who've taken the time and effort to help with this project. It may not seem like much, but it has meant a GREAT deal to me.
:Terry
:
:
Terry,
This has been quit a thread. I didn't get it all at first on using a neon via Vac on the ringer.
I own a small company that makes simple monitoring devices for consumers, water leak detectors, entrance/exit door chimes, low battery voltage detectors, PHONE RING LED Detectors, etc. I use ultrabright LED's on the phone ring detectors. Some phone systems require different current draws on the LED. Experience is that the resistor that EDD proposed will work, also try 608 ohms and 1K. Measure the mA and check brightness of LED.
Google "daves circuits" and you will find many available FREE circuits on this topic.
I would follow EDD's advice on the LED.
Mitch

Why did it take so long to do something so simple? While it was obvious that the ring voltage was low since a neon lamp would not flash, now you know what it is. No, there are no low voltage neons. This whole exercise was somewhat discouraging in that something so simple could go on and on when some very simple troubleshooting was all that was needed. Good luck.

:I'm not gonna go into the major physical problems I'm dealing with that has limited my ability to take these measurements. Nor am I gonna quantify the fact that telephone circuitry is not my area of expertise. It's consumer electronics, and in that field believe me I can hold my own.
:Gee, that DID make me feel better!
:
:Okay-
:I put a 0,1 cap in series with my Triplett analogue meter to block the 'on hook' DC voltage. The AC voltage readings were the same for several calls-
:50VAC
:
:I then hooked the neon bulb that I'm trying to use to my Eico variable transformer which has a very accurate volt meter.
:It did not light up until 70 VAC.
:
:Results-
: I'd say that a 20 volt difference would account for the problem I'm having. It would also explain why the bulb worked next door. The Bell South ring voltage probably is closer to 105VAC.
:I haven't been able to try Edd's LED recommendation yet. That's next on my list, when I can get back out of bed.
:
:Here's something else I don't know right off the bat-
:Do different neon bulbs light at different voltages?
:
:Also, I want to sincerely thank those who've taken the time and effort to help with this project. It may not seem like much, but it has meant a GREAT deal to me.
:Terry
:
:

Just noticed the following silly statement:

"Nor am I gonna quantify the fact that telephone circuitry is not my area of expertise. It's consumer electronics, and in that field believe me I can hold my own".

Good grief. You couldn't figure out one of the most obvious problem and no idea how to do simple troubleshooting. Oh, it was a telephone problem? You've got to be kidding (I hope). Sorry but the Mean Old Man seems to be right. You have no idea what you are doing. Please do some studying and learn some basic electricity and electronics. Being ignorant is no discrace, willingly staying that way is. Again, good luck.

Definition of a fool - someone who thinks they are always right.

:I'm not gonna go into the major physical problems I'm dealing with that has limited my ability to take these measurements. Nor am I gonna quantify the fact that telephone circuitry is not my area of expertise. It's consumer electronics, and in that field believe me I can hold my own.
:Gee, that DID make me feel better!
:
:Okay-
:I put a 0,1 cap in series with my Triplett analogue meter to block the 'on hook' DC voltage. The AC voltage readings were the same for several calls-
:50VAC
:
:I then hooked the neon bulb that I'm trying to use to my Eico variable transformer which has a very accurate volt meter.
:It did not light up until 70 VAC.
:
:Results-
: I'd say that a 20 volt difference would account for the problem I'm having. It would also explain why the bulb worked next door. The Bell South ring voltage probably is closer to 105VAC.
:I haven't been able to try Edd's LED recommendation yet. That's next on my list, when I can get back out of bed.
:
:Here's something else I don't know right off the bat-
:Do different neon bulbs light at different voltages?
:
:Also, I want to sincerely thank those who've taken the time and effort to help with this project. It may not seem like much, but it has meant a GREAT deal to me.
:Terry
:
:
Who is this responder, friend?
Mitch

::I'm not gonna go into the major physical problems I'm dealing with that has limited my ability to take these measurements. Nor am I gonna quantify the fact that telephone circuitry is not my area of expertise. It's consumer electronics, and in that field believe me I can hold my own.
::Gee, that DID make me feel better!
::
::Okay-
::I put a 0,1 cap in series with my Triplett analogue meter to block the 'on hook' DC voltage. The AC voltage readings were the same for several calls-
::50VAC
::
::I then hooked the neon bulb that I'm trying to use to my Eico variable transformer which has a very accurate volt meter.
::It did not light up until 70 VAC.
::
::Results-
:: I'd say that a 20 volt difference would account for the problem I'm having. It would also explain why the bulb worked next door. The Bell South ring voltage probably is closer to 105VAC.
::I haven't been able to try Edd's LED recommendation yet. That's next on my list, when I can get back out of bed.
::
::Here's something else I don't know right off the bat-
::Do different neon bulbs light at different voltages?
::
::Also, I want to sincerely thank those who've taken the time and effort to help with this project. It may not seem like much, but it has meant a GREAT deal to me.
::Terry
::
::
:
:Terry,
:Who is this responder, friend?
:Mitch
:
I'm secure in my knowledge of circuits, theory, etc. I'm not secure in wasting space trying to make somebody feel like crap.
It's easy to pick on someone when you have no idea what they are going through.
I've already said phone circuitry and theory are not my area of expertise.
I haven't mentioned that I have been bed ridden due to a mysterious and incredibly painful swelling in my foot, due to which I'm forced to take MAJOR amounts of pain medication. No, it's not gout, or apparently a blood clot. I just spent two days in the hospital finding that out.
Yeah, sometimes it IS too much effort to "do something so simple". I had to get my nephew to run a line, take apart a phone, learn what L1 and L2 meant, how to hook up a meter, learn how to use a variable transformer, and a bunch of other stuff so I could make these posts. Then he spent a lot of time making calls from his cell so I could monitor all these items on a table next to my bed. HE really came through.
Right now participating in this discussion, using this laptop, and cable TV, are the only distractions I have. I'm even paying someone to walk my dog, one of my greatest pleasures.
I didn't want to go into this, but sometimes people can't take a simple hint to leave it alone.
I was pretty sure that there weren't low voltage neon lamps, but I don't think it was out of line to ask.
My nephew went to the "Shack" today to buy the stuff Edd recommended. By the way Edd, thanks.
Tomorrow I'll play around with this problem some more, because it takes my mind off of the hell I'm going through.
And if nobody minds, I'd like to share what happens.
Terry

That's all it was.

:That's all it was.
:
That's all it was!

Obviously VERY important to me though.
T.

If the phone line won't flash a neon light to the ring signal (it should), since the traditional ring signal is either AC or pulsating DC (I'm not sure, but it makes a bell clapper move back and forth), you could put a step-up transformer with a high impedance primary across the telephone line. The impedance should be as high as a bell coil. The secondary should be higher than this. The transformer can be an autotransformer, since isolation isn't necessary.

If you have a step-up audio interstage transformer lying around, this will probably work perfectly.

T.

:If the phone line won't flash a neon light to the ring signal (it should), since the traditional ring signal is either AC or pulsating DC (I'm not sure, but it makes a bell clapper move back and forth), you could put a step-up transformer with a high impedance primary across the telephone line. The impedance should be as high as a bell coil. The secondary should be higher than this. The transformer can be an autotransformer, since isolation isn't necessary.
:
:If you have a step-up audio interstage transformer lying around, this will probably work perfectly.
:
:T.
:
Yeah, Edd suggested something similar. I was going to try the LED thing but I like this Idea, and I just happen to have the very thing. I'll give it a try tomorrow and let ya know.
Thanks,
Terry

...Oh. Didn't see that someone already suggested an LED. Good idea, though. Should work.

Another method would be to use a bright LED. Select an LED of the color and brightness you desire. Select a zener diode of a voltage that will protect the LED, and wire this across the LED Place a resistor of adequate resistance in series with the LED so as to light the LED when the phone rings, but to not keep the LED lit nor to overload the phone line or overheat any of the components.

If an appropriately rated zener diode cannot be found (probably around 2 to 2.5 volts), a small resistor can be put in series to allow for a bit more voltage across the LED.

Also, if you find that the ring voltage is fairly steady peak-to-peak, and doesn't have any nasty spikes, you may get away with simply a high resistance resistor and an LED. Since LEDs draw more current with more voltage, the fairly large resistance will probably be enough to absorb any voltage spikes. I have found that with enough of a resistance and enough of a base voltage, LEDs will be little affected by voltage fluctuations, since most will be absorbed in the resistor.

T.