Wired ring door bell...slight confusion
Discussion
Just got a wired ring door bell for the MiL.
I would like to put it in place of the existing door bell. I think I can do it, but I was a little stumped just now when looking at her door bell unit.
There is no transformer inside it, just the chime. This chime unit has:
So I need to find that box really, though I assume the output is supposed to 8Vac with a load (and this is enough to run the Ring door bell provided it also has sufficient current). If the transformer is all good then all I really need to do is:
This is what I need to change it to, although I'll just wire out the chime completely as there will be a new chime.
Does that sound right?
I would like to put it in place of the existing door bell. I think I can do it, but I was a little stumped just now when looking at her door bell unit.
There is no transformer inside it, just the chime. This chime unit has:
- 4 wires coming into. 2 of which are simply taped up and not connected to anything.
- 4 poles, 0,1,2,3. Poles 0,1 & 2 are all tied together. 3 is separate. It's a simple electromagnet type.
- As far as I can work out, there is about 5.5-6Vac across the back of the doorbell button when not pressed. There is 8Vac when pressed.
- a 9V battery slot with no battery and some flying leads not connected to anything. Presumably an alternative way of powering the chime.
So I need to find that box really, though I assume the output is supposed to 8Vac with a load (and this is enough to run the Ring door bell provided it also has sufficient current). If the transformer is all good then all I really need to do is:
- Join the two wires that are used inside the chime box together with the jumper lead provided. This will close the circuit to the transformer and give constant 8Vac on the wires.
This is what I need to change it to, although I'll just wire out the chime completely as there will be a new chime.
Does that sound right?
Otispunkmeyer said:
So this stumped me for ages because I was like "How can this thing work with just two wires and no mains power, where is the voltage coming from?" but it just twigged that there is a probably a power transformer in a box somewhere else, maybe in the main fuse box or next to it in the utility room (which is the room behind where the chime is).
The transformer for my doorbell is above the distribution panel, in the garage, on the other side of the house. ¯\_(°_o)_/¯MadCaptainJack said:
Otispunkmeyer said:
So this stumped me for ages because I was like "How can this thing work with just two wires and no mains power, where is the voltage coming from?" but it just twigged that there is a probably a power transformer in a box somewhere else, maybe in the main fuse box or next to it in the utility room (which is the room behind where the chime is).
The transformer for my doorbell is above the distribution panel, in the garage, on the other side of the house. ¯\_(°_o)_/¯
8 volts will not power a Ring doorbell, you will need between 16-24 volts, so the transformer will need changing, another thing Ring like to keep from you when you buy it. Fitted a lot for customers who did not know you have to change the power supply and it’s costs, no existing UK doorbell runs at this voltage so it’s a bit of a con to say the least!
Betson said:
8 volts will not power a Ring doorbell, you will need between 16-24 volts, so the transformer will need changing, another thing Ring like to keep from you when you buy it. Fitted a lot for customers who did not know you have to change the power supply and it’s costs, no existing UK doorbell runs at this voltage so it’s a bit of a con to say the least!
It does depend on the model though. Most will accept an 8v AC supply.Simpo Two said:
Clearly what this this thread needs is someone with a MEng Mech Eng and a PhD.
Oh hang on
Maybe it runs off mains?
Cack handed house electrics were never my forte Oh hang on
Maybe it runs off mains?
I have got the mains adapter for it, I was just trying to avoid having to drill through her door frame to fit it.
For the other poster above, the Ring Door bell pro needs more juice at 10VA. But the basic one will work on 8VA.
tux850 said:
Betson said:
8 volts will not power a Ring doorbell, you will need between 16-24 volts, so the transformer will need changing, another thing Ring like to keep from you when you buy it. Fitted a lot for customers who did not know you have to change the power supply and it’s costs, no existing UK doorbell runs at this voltage so it’s a bit of a con to say the least!
It does depend on the model though. Most will accept an 8v AC supply.Edited by megaphone on Monday 14th October 07:57
megaphone said:
This. I was able to power and charge my battery Ring on 5vac
The battery ones are slightly different insofar that they only use the hardwired power source to charge the battery (which is what it actually runs from) and so are more tolerant of a low(er) voltage supply compared to the others. Edited by megaphone on Monday 14th October 07:57
I fitted a Ring doorbell to in place of the existing 'ding-dong' button. I think the original transformer is in the basement, and I retained the use of the existing bell just inside the house.
I simply disconnected the two wires on the pushbutton, and fixed them to the two terminals on the Ring unit. Never went hunting for ratings on the transformer and the doorbell shows up as fully charged at all times.
Had to tweak some settings initially as when first pressed it wouldn't shut up!
I simply disconnected the two wires on the pushbutton, and fixed them to the two terminals on the Ring unit. Never went hunting for ratings on the transformer and the doorbell shows up as fully charged at all times.
Had to tweak some settings initially as when first pressed it wouldn't shut up!
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