27V AC - is this my power problem?

[Kris1967]

What are the consequences of connecting an Arlo wired video doorbell (2nd generation), with a recommended 16-24volts, to an already wired Arlo system with a multimeter reading of 27 volts?  Is this the reason why it's running on battery instead of wired power?

[DannyBearAgain]

Be careful when reading the transformer voltage when it is unloaded, it can give you a 10% higher reading.

[Kris1967]

Thank you.  I'm checking the voltage at the connections for the doorbell outside.

[DannyBearAgain]

How are you determining that the doorbell is not charging? From the app status or the battery is going flat?

The doorbell charging process is limited to trickle charging so may take sometime to charge up.

[Kris1967]

From the App status - it’s gone from 84% charged to 83% charged in a day with only a little video capture today.

[DannyBearAgain]

Can you clarify if the doorbell is a new installation or if this has just started to happen after a reasonable period of use?

The operational voltage specification while limiting should account for the electrical grid variability.

Are you using a external mechanical doorbell unit with the arlo device ?

[StephenB]

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@Kris1967 wrote:

Thank you.  I'm checking the voltage at the connections for the doorbell outside.

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Yes.  But if the doorbell is disconnected, then you can see voltages that are a bit higher than the transformer rating.

What are the voltage and VA (or amp) specs for the transformer?

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@Kris1967 wrote:

From the App status - it’s gone from 84% charged to 83% charged in a day with only a little video capture today.

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The percentages are estimates, and not that precise.  

What doorbell model did you purchase?  The gen 2 doorbells won't start charging until the battery drops below about 65%. 

[Kris1967]

It is a 'Gen 2' doorbell - just purchased / installed this week.

The connected door chime is mechanical - probably the original one in this rental house from the early 1980's.

[StephenB]

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@Kris1967 wrote:

It is a 'Gen 2' doorbell - just purchased / installed this week.

The connected door chime is mechanical - probably the original one in this rental house from the early 1980's.

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There will be a transformer.  Sometimes it is co-located with the chime, sometimes not.  (My own is in my basement).  It should have a label that tells you the voltage and VA (or amp) spec.

Although 27 is a bit high, I am thinking you have a 24v transformer.  So that part should be fine.

The gen 2 won't charge until the battery level drops below about 65%

[Kris1967]

Thanks Stephen.  I'll monitor it to see if goes too much below 65%.