As Seen in Atomic Ranch Magazine: Favorite Products

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Robert Dobrin | 0 Comments

Thank you Atomic Ranch Magazine for featuring the ElectraChime Comet Door Chime.

Made in USA    Shipped Worldwide

Posted in Atomic Ranch, Comet, Mid Century Modern, Tubular Door Chimes

What Time is it in New Zealand?

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Robert Dobrin | 0 Comments

When it's 8:15 AM in New Zealand, it's 3:15 PM the previous day in California. Except in New Zealand's Chatham Islands, an archipelago about 650 kilometers from the mainland. There the local time is 45 minutes ahead of the rest of the country and 19 hours and 45 minutes minutes ahead of California.  Confused? Ring Lindsay's doorbell in Christchurch and ask. Lindsay knows the correct time since her ElectraChime Comet Door Chime with three brass bells has a built in clock. Just remember to add 45 minutes if you have an appointment with one of the 600 Chatham Islanders. 

Please chime in with your own comment. 


Made in USA    Shipped Worldwide

Posted in Brass Bells, comet, New Zealand

Two or Three Tubes for your ElectraChime Doorbell Chime

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Robert Dobrin | 0 Comments

In this post, we'll look at whether a two, or three bell, ElectraChime is best for your application. 

The center bell in ElectraChime doorbells is entirely decorative. All ElectraChime doorbells ring "ding-dong" for the front door and "ding" for an optional third bell. When a caller presses your doorbell button, a striker hits the shorter tube to produce the "ding" and when the button is released, the striker recoils to hit the longer tube for the "dong".

Even though the mechanics of two and three tube doorbells are identical, the aesthetics are quite different. 

Without question, a three bell chime presents a fuller look. On doorbells with larger cases like the Comet pictured above, this can provide extra balance. The same cover looks more modern, and perhaps a bit less formal with two tubes beneath. So if you subscribe to a minimalist design philosophy, a two bell doorbell assures the form follows function.

In Feng Shui, odd numbers give Yang energy and even numbers Yin. Thus, a two bell chime has more feminine energy while a three bell chime has more masculine energy. Cecilia Walker's blog, everything in threes goes deeper on the subject. 

Design principals hold that odd number compositions—and in particular the rule of three—adds motion and interest. This can be explained that your eye and brain can't pair odd numbers of elements. Above, I arranged three vintage Rid-Jid patio chairs to demonstrate. 

I'm not certain I've provided any clarity to the subject of two or three bells or just muddied the waters a little bit more. And I'll so my best to resist creating my own doctrine of the "ding and the dong".  So I will just leave you with this old saying I just made up:  

Your house is your castle, so furnish it as you will.

 


Made in USA    Shipped Worldwide

Posted in Comet, ElectraChime