Fixing doorbell to structural metal underframe of UPVc door - also speaker issues

[Smarlopen]

For us a doorbell means a unit fixed to the doorframe and not to the adjoining brickwork that is another narrow window width away from the door.   Arlo did not provide instructions for fitting to the very common UPVc door frames and only provided wall plugs suitable for brick.

UPVc door frames have in inner metal support needed to carry door security fittings and it seemed feasible to secure the Arlo holding bracket to the metal frame by use of self-tapping screws.

Fortunately we had self tapping screws of the right length and diameter and the bracket was fixed firmly to the metal frame behind UPVc covering.

Unfortunately when we inserted the doorbell it refused to lock and we found the reason for this was that the dome of the upper screw was a fraction to high.  There was no problem with the lower screw.  Unfortunately the only self tapping screw that we had with a flat head was slightly thinner and shorter than the original domed one.   
Fortunately all held together tightly on completion and the bracket would have to be broken (as for a brickwork fitting) before the video camera can be removed without a key.

Even competent DIY people (or retailers) may not have  flat headed self tapping screws of the right diameter and  length to reach the metal underframe.  It would be much easier if Arlo could include instructions and pack a few for correctly sized self tapping screws for this expensive product!

Now onto the speaker issues that I have put in a dedicated thread that remains without a technical answer because the same problem seems to exist in both video and audio doorbells!

In a thread that is now closed mention was made that the problem might be associated with low power from two AA batteries  Doorbell Speaker Volume - Arlo Community

Our latest model has a substantial rechargeable battery.

As pensioners and not the most experienced of smart phone users we found the linking of the Arlo device to our router was relatively easy.  For some reason we needed several attempts to link the chime.

After downloading a full instruction manual (strangely we could only find the wired version) the main user was able to offer his partner guest status.   The emails sent offering guest status were held pending and much delayed in being received by the guest.  Both of us were able to receive live images and recordings.

Notifications of movement alerts are being given and we are able to respond to the doorbell pushes.

In many ways we were relieved to read the previous thread on this matter and consider the doorbell live speaker and microphone sounds fail to provide a useable communication at the doorstep from either of our Samsung smartphones is not due to our incompetence!  We would expect much better from expensive equipment with a fully charged substantial battery.


We purchased two Arlo 3 Floodlight Camera (Model FB1001) with Solar Panel Chargers (VMA 5600) that also have hear and speak facilities.  Our experience so far suggest it might be wise to return them to the retailer as they will be at much further distance from the sound source than that of  the doorbell sound unit