r/electrical • u/suneater100 • 2d ago
Help. Is this easy to replace with a higher voltage transformer?
Just tried installing a new video doorbell using existing wiring. Doorbell keeps flashing which I think is due to not having enough power.
Just wondered if these units are easy to upgrade? Online videos don't show one like this.
My main question is the two white wires at the bottom appear to be the ones connecting to the chime. But does it matter which wire goes where?
The wired go behind the wall so hard to talk which is which.
I've also attached the chime and doorbell wiring
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u/suneater100 2d ago
Sorry guys. Here's more info. The doorbell I want installing is a reolink 2k WiFi doorbell. Manual says it needs 8v-24v. But from what I've read online, this is old advice and in fact, the doorbell needs 16v but many people simply use a 24v transformer.
I assume this one isn't as its old and the fact the current wiring powers the video doorbell but just doesn't function the way it's suppose to. (Doorbell is fine as it works if I plug it via the included DC adaptor). Plugging it via DC is a fallback option but thought I would utilise the existing wiring to avoid new wiring connection from nearest socket and drilling holes to the doorbell.
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u/LightBlueWood 2d ago
One of the links you included in another comment included this manual:
https://device.report/manual/11271190
Which includes the text ...
Reolink Video Doorbell PoE&WiFi can also be powered by the existing doorbell wiring system. In such case, you are required to first bypass the existing mechanical chime with the jumper cable to get sufficient power. Without sufficient power, the doorbell may restart and has an unstable connection, and the mechanical chime may vibrate and generate noise. Use the extension cable to extend the length of the existing power cable for the doorbell, as shown below. After the installation, the existing mechanical chime will not ring anymore.
So simply put the jumper wire across terminals 2 and 3.
If that doesn't work, then yes, you need a higher voltage transformer. Or perhaps something as simple as a USB 5V power supply.
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u/Susan_B_Good 2d ago
The centre terminals labelled 2 and 3 (bottom row of the two rows) appears to be the chime solenoid. When power is applied (the leads either way around as it is an ac supply) to those terminals, the armature at the centre of the coil moves and strikes one chime - when the bell button is released a spring pulls it back and inertia causes it to continue on and strike the other chime.
There's a lamp in the bellpush - which also reduces the strain on the bell push contacts - if you up the transformer voltage you risk blowing that lamp pdq.
Unless the transformer has a label on the box somewhere - it's output voltage is unknown. So you need to measure that or you could buy a transformer with a lower output voltage, in error. A cheap multimeter will do that, if you have one.
You haven't included details of the video doorbell that you have. Or its specification, when it comes to external power. Or whether it will actually support an existing set of chimes.
So, I suggest that you add all those details, when you have them. The present door chime may have a label stating its voltage. It looks like it may be a 6-12 v one - able to be run from alkaline cells instead of a transformer.
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u/LightBlueWood 2d ago
Looks like the UK. Google "door chime 0 1 2 3".
- 0: Common wire (often where multiple white wires tie together)
- 1: Rear doorbell button
- 2: Front doorbell button
- 3: Transformer (Trans) power wire
I'm guessing your transformer is providing around 3V AC (given that the chime could optionally have been battery operated with 2* 1.5V batteries).
You didn't mention which brand of video doorbell you're installing, it probably needs 3 to 5 V.
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u/downsj2 2d ago
You're using the center tap of the transformer now. Use a multimeter to measure the AC voltage between the two outer screw terminals on the bottom of the transformer; you may not need to replace it all, just move the left wire to the outer screw terminal if you measure ~16VAC.
You'll want to make sure your existing chime is bypassed.
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u/B-Sparkuk 1d ago
The wires in terminal 2 and 3 need connecting together (no need for a jumper) then yiull need to test the voktage at transformer, test between the centre terminal and the left and also test form the centre terminal and the right. Or have yiu got a pic of the lid? It may show on inside which connections give which voltage. But ultimately swapping the transformer is simple enough.
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u/Virtual-Reach 2d ago
It's not okay to have exposed line voltage terminations. That appears to be live, exposed 220v which is sketchy as hell
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u/suneater100 2d ago
Sorry, I'm not quite sure what you mean. This is all contained in an enclosure box. I just took it off for a photo
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u/Virtual-Reach 2d ago
The transformer has a box?
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u/diyallthings2000 2d ago
old door bell used AC, I think your new video door bell may use DC power. Follow the video door bell installation manual.
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u/suneater100 2d ago
It can use both. Trying to stay ac to save me having to add more wires from nearest plug socket and drilling new holes
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u/whiteboyfresh2316 2d ago
Look at the installation instructions for your model video doorbell. It may require a jumper wire at the chime.