Arlo video doorbells need multiple chime boxes?

[SteveSudhoff]

Has anyone else run into this problem?

I have two Arlo wired video doorbells. I connect them both into a legacy chime box. The second one that I connect into the chime box will not work (will not light up). Does not matter the order in which i connect a video doorbell to the chime box -- the second one connected does not work. Does not matter whether the first one connected is 'front door' vs. 'back door.'

New transformer. 

The existing chime box is 30+ years old.

Voltage 18.6-ish on both doorbells.

I am going to suggest to the electrician that we install a second chime box for one of the video doorbells, and see whether that solves the problem.

Arlo already sent me a replacement doorbell -- did not work when it was the second one connected to the chime box. Did work when it was the first one connected to the chime box (disconnected the other one, then connected the replacement -- worked fine -- but the other one did not work when reconnected).

I appreciate your thoughts on this.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[StephenB]

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@SteveSudhoff wrote:

I appreciate your thoughts on this.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

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I'd be tempted to change the transformer.   What is its current rating (amps or VA)?

[SteveSudhoff]

16 volts, 15 va

[SteveSudhoff]

Also doing a test right now, reversing the wires to the front and back doors in the chime box, to determine whether there is a defect in the legacy chime box (electrician is here right now).

[StephenB]

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@SteveSudhoff wrote:
16 volts, 15 va

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The spec for a single doorbell is 10 VA.  So it's possible that you don't have quite enough power for two doorbells.