topic Re: Wire Video Doorbell -- wired directly to transformer? in Arlo Video Doorbell

Wire Video Doorbell -- wired directly to transformer?

EP99 — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 13:10:11 GMT

Any reason why the essential wired doorbell powerkit can't be wired directly to the transformer? My chime was placed by a contractor almost 17 feet above the floor making is a pain to access. The transformer however is located easily in the garage and wires go directly to the chime. Any reason the powerkit can't be wired in there along with the chime wires? Thanks in advance?

Re: Wire Video Doorbell -- wired directly to transformer?

StephenB — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 20:39:20 GMT

@EP99 wrote:

Any reason why the essential wired doorbell powerkit can't be wired directly to the transformer?

It needs to be wired with the power kit across the two leads at the chime (like this):

Connecting the power kit across the transformer leads won't work.

Re: Wire Video Doorbell -- wired directly to transformer?

EP99 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 15:14:11 GMT

Seems to work correctly for me. Attached to screws with leads coming from the transformer. They probably go to the old doorbell location and then loop back to the chime box. I just attached the powerkit leads on top of the leads leaving the transformer.

Chime rings, camera works, notifications are sent.

Unless there is some "magic" in the chime what you mapped is unnecessary.

Or please elaborate -- the chime is like vintage 2004 or 2005 -- not a lot of brains in that box.

Re: Wire Video Doorbell -- wired directly to transformer?

StephenB — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 21:30:11 GMT

@EP99 wrote:

Or please elaborate -- the chime is like vintage 2004 or 2005 -- not a lot of brains in that box.

What I posted is the wiring that you get if you follow Arlo's directions.

A mechanical doorbell is a simple switch. No power flows through the chime when the doorbell isn't being used; power of course flows through the chime when the the doorbell is pressed. The chime is designed with that doorbell in mind - it rings whenever power is flowing through it.

The wired video doorbell on the other hand is always drawing a small amount of power. Without the power kit, that power is always flowing through the chime. That can result in the chime spontaneously ringing or buzzing. It doesn't always create spontaneous ringing/buzzing, but if often does. Running that power through the chime all the time can also overheat the electromagnetic coil inside the chime - which wouldn't be heard, but potentially creates a fire hazard.

The power kit's job is to divert power around the chime (bypassing it) when the doorbell is not being pressed. That results in the chime "seeing" the same conditions it would see if you'd kept the mechanical doorbell.

If I'm understanding what you've done correctly, then you've did put one side of the power kit before the doorbell.

It's not a wiring setup I've ever tried, and I don't know off-hand if it will create issues over the long term or not. I do know it's not the wiring Arlo intends.

Does your doorbell also seem to work correctly if the power kit isn't installed at all?