topic Re: Arlo Video doorbell AVD4001 mechanical chime only works once, when pressing TEST button in Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Gen

Arlo Video doorbell AVD4001 mechanical chime only works once, when pressing TEST button

bcher — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 23:44:37 GMT

Arlo doorbell mechanical chime works only one time - during doorbell install when I push the TEST button next to "Mechanical" menu item. Mechanical chime works fine w/o Arlo doorbell (touch wires together).
If I delete the doorbell from my account, then re-install it, the chime rings during the doorbell setup procedure - then never again. I have deleted & reinstalled the doorbell 4 times - same behavior every time.
Do I need to get a power kit to fix this issue?

Re: Arlo Video doorbell AVD4001 mechanical chime only works once, when pressing TEST button

StephenB — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:00:51 GMT

@bcher wrote:

Do I need to get a power kit to fix this issue?

No.

What is the manufacturer/model of the chime?

Do you know the transformer specs?

Re: Arlo Video doorbell AVD4001 mechanical chime only works once, when pressing TEST button

bcher — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 01:13:50 GMT

Don't know mfr of chime; it's been in the house since it was built almost 30 yrs ago.
Don't know xfmr mfr either. I measured output voltage at about 19 VAC.

Re: Arlo Video doorbell AVD4001 mechanical chime only works once, when pressing TEST button

StephenB — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 18:25:54 GMT

@bcher wrote:

I measured output voltage at about 19 VAC.

It still (maybe) could be the transformer (perhaps not able to deliver enough power under load).

It also could be a defective AVD4001.

Re: Arlo Video doorbell AVD4001 mechanical chime only works once, when pressing TEST button

bcher — Sun, 22 Dec 2024 15:36:56 GMT

xfmr is just fine. when I remove the doorbell from the mounting plate & short across the wires, doorbell rings every time.
While I had the doorbell off its plate, I pulled the spring-loaded tabs on the mounting plate further away from the wall. After I placed the unit back on the mounting plate and pressed the button, BINGO! - magic happened.

Doorbell works just fine now.

Re: Arlo Video doorbell AVD4001 mechanical chime only works once, when pressing TEST button

StephenB — Sun, 22 Dec 2024 19:06:45 GMT

@bcher wrote:

xfmr is just fine.

Certainly in your case. FWIW, I had a transfomer that measures 20+ volts with a meter. The chime wasn't working properly. Eventually I replaced the transformer anyway, and that cured it. My conclusion was that the transformer wasn't delivering enough power under load.

@bcher wrote:

While I had the doorbell off its plate, I pulled the spring-loaded tabs on the mounting plate further away from the wall.

Good to know, thx for sharing. I suspect the wire connections were compressed, and there was an open ciruit.