CONVERSION KITS

I am always getting asked where to get telephone leads and the electronic transmitters from.

So I now produce a kit of parts to convert your old GPO - Post Office - BT telephone and even some privately supplied phones (most UK produced phones can be converted - if you have a diagram).  The kit works on UK wooden, 200, 300 and 700 type instruments (mail me about other types, including foreign phones).  Most GEC, British Ericsson, ATE, ATM and Siemens Brothers phones can also be converted.

Replacement GPO red and blue electronic transmitters (red will work on 200, 300 and 700 type telephones, whilst the blue variant will only fit in 700 type telephones) are sometimes available.  I can also supply new original carbon granule transmitters and many small parts for Trimphones and 700 types - please email me for price and availability of these.

The supplied line cord is black PVC and is 3 metres in length.  These can be used in 700 types and also 200/300 types.  For 200/300 types tying a knot in the cord prevents it from coming out of the case, whilst on 700 type phones, the original line cord grommet can be cut off the old cord and glued onto the new one.

I am also asked how easy is the kit to fit.  So far I have only had a couple of failures (these were fixed by Email advice) and most people get it right first time.  But, as I cannot guarantee that your old phone is in good working condition to start with, then I cannot guarantee that your conversion will work.  I will, however, give email support to those people who buy the kit from myself. 

I will also convert a phone on request - please advise of manufacturer and model number.  Remember the carriage costs will be on top of the conversion cost.

Click here for replacement braided and cloth telephone cords

To fit the kit you will need:-

1. Flat bladed screwdriver.

2. A small piece of foam to pack out the replacement transmitter (if fitted).

3. Long nose pliers.

Conversion Kit
The conversion kit consists of:-

1. One UK plug ended telephone lead (PVC) - as described above.
2. One 3.3K resistor.
3. One Rectifier Element No. 205 equivalent.
4. Instructions on how to convert.
5. Email support.

The above kit does not include a transmitter.  The kit includes instructions, but you will also have to refer to the transmitter replacement section for 200 & 300 type telephones (if an electronic transmitter is supplied) and the conversion page for the actual wiring information of your phone.

A fully converted 700 type can be seen here

Prices - correct as of 15/05/2012
The cost of the conversion kit is £8 - which includes post and packaging within the UK.  Please email for a discount price if you order more than one.

At present I have the following spares:-
Red electronic transmitters - £7.50 each or £7.00 if ordered with a conversion kit.
Grey 700 type curly handset cords - new - £3.50 each or £3.00 if ordered with a kit.
Grey 700 type handset - hearing amplifier model - new - £10 each if ordered with a kit (these are the GPO Handset No. 17A and also have a neon lamp in the handset - the neon lamp will generally not work on the UK socket system).

Please send a cheque made payable to 'British Telephones' at the address below:-
Bemerton
Crown lane
Yorkley
Glos
GL15 4TP

Kits may take up to three weeks to arrive.

Remember to include a return address.

If you are a purest, I also have some bell ringers (Bell No. 59D-1 un-mounted) with a coil resistance of 4000 ohms.  These will fit straight into 700 type telephones, but can be modified to fit 300 types.  They will also fit in Bellsets.  Email me if you want one of these.

Please note: The kits I supply are for domestic use only and not for resale.

Last revised: May 15, 2012