On 07/05/2015 09:26, Bod wrote:

removed.
Most bell pushes seem to still be of this type. I had no idea of the
stringent needs of a bell push in this environment before, so
wondered if
anyone else had any bright ideas?
Brian

I seem to recall those old type of bell pushes that seemed to always
work come rain or shine. I mean the white coloured ceramic buttons
encased in brass, that you used to see outside old buildings.
I don't know if they are still available or not.

Try this for a traditional bell that always works and has big chunky
batteries

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151251036496


Thanks for the link, but even that bell push looks like the standard
rubbishy ones (I could well be wrong though).
Have you any experience of this one, by any chance?

Our local library has had one on their back door for several years, and
the bell push isn't protected from the elements. The push did fail
recently but it looked like it had been there for a couple of decades,
so I stuck a new one up. Since then I've installed two more bells for
family members who were fed up with wireless failures. Postmen love them.
No way of knowing how long a given plastic is likely to survive UV
exposure. Some plant labels disintegrate within months I notice!