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doorbell camera burning out doorbell transformers
Since I can't reach the technical support, I am posting here. I have been trying to install my Simplisafe doorbell camera. It has taken a while because our house did not have a pre-existing doorbell, so it was a bigger project than the plug/play instructions. I needed to install a transformer and run a low voltage wire. I now have several holes in the wall and 3 burned out transformers for my effort.
All of these transformers were 16V units. The first ran the doorbell through part of the setup, but then stopped suddenly. The second burned out immediately. The first 2 transformers were rated at 16V 10vA, so I upgraded to a 16V 30vA unit based on an online recommendation, which is what you use when technical support doesn't answer.
I had been testing the voltage after installation, but this last time I tested the installation stepwise. I installed the transformer and tested it with no load...good output. I attached the low voltage wires and tested the base unit (no camera)...good output again and this demonstrated there was no short in the line from transformer to base. I attached the camera and it lit up green for a few seconds and then stopped. The transformer was dead coincident with attaching the Simplisafe doorbell camera. Simplisafe owes me for 3 transformers (~$60) and for the worthless doorbell camera. Anyone else have this problem?
All of these transformers were 16V units. The first ran the doorbell through part of the setup, but then stopped suddenly. The second burned out immediately. The first 2 transformers were rated at 16V 10vA, so I upgraded to a 16V 30vA unit based on an online recommendation, which is what you use when technical support doesn't answer.
I had been testing the voltage after installation, but this last time I tested the installation stepwise. I installed the transformer and tested it with no load...good output. I attached the low voltage wires and tested the base unit (no camera)...good output again and this demonstrated there was no short in the line from transformer to base. I attached the camera and it lit up green for a few seconds and then stopped. The transformer was dead coincident with attaching the Simplisafe doorbell camera. Simplisafe owes me for 3 transformers (~$60) and for the worthless doorbell camera. Anyone else have this problem?
worthing
Advocate
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594 Messages
2 years ago
I do have a question - what does this sentence mean?
Are you attaching the low voltage wiring from the doorbell transformer to the SimpliSafe base?! Or are you referring to a different kind of base? Also did you install a chime box as well, or just a transformer and wiring? (I don't know if this matters, I'm just curious.)
FYI, this isn't a SimpliSafe specific problem. You will find a TON of hits for this same issue with Ring Doorbell Cameras with a variety of root causes given as well. At this point you may have 3 dead transformers and a dead camera as well.
Good luck with this. I'm super curious to hear what the root cause is.
@Johnny M,
Can you provide clarity on the specs needed to power the doorbell pro? Is the 30a part overkill but otherwise safe? Or is it possibly causing an issue?
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