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lrs

17 Messages

Thursday, October 25th, 2018 2:37 PM

doorbell installation issues

I tried to install doorbell last night.  I connected the two wires from old doorbell button, mounted doorbell, and the chime in the house rings continuously - without pushing the doorbell button.  I took apart and reversed the wires - same result.  I left the doorbell attached for approximately 10 minutes - but it never lit up - as if it was not getting power.  I'm pretty sure the wires are 16VAC which should be enough.  Does anybody have any suggestions?  I plan to try again tonight, and call customer service if I can't get it to work, but was hoping to have some things to try myself.  

I'm concerned that the doorbell itself did not "power up'.  I see there is a micro USB port on the back.  Is it possible to power it with a micro USB cord?  I'd like to confirm the doorbell itself is not faulty.
I APPRECIATE any thoughts or ideas.  Super excited to get this working.

The issue in this post may be resolved by installing a Chime Connector, which can help supply the correct voltage to your Video Doorbell Pro. For more info, please visit this Help Center article.

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1 year ago

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general_kaos

764 Messages

6 years ago

I installed my door bell Tuesday night and had a bit of an issue as I posted in getting the wires connected to the mounting bracket.  I think someone else posted they had an issue with the bare wires touching.  I suggest connecting the wires to the mounting bracket and make sure the bare wires don't touch.  If all is good to this point, "connect" (by jumper cable or two screw drivers) the two screws with the wires attached and verify you get a ding-dong from your house door bell.  If you are not getting a ding-dong without "connecting" the two screws and getting one with the cross connect, all is well, so far.

Check the back of the door bell and make sure the three flexible pins are protruding from the device.  You might want to press on them to make sure they depress and return to the normal position.

It took my door bell about two minutes to power up and actually function when I pressed the door bell button.

I don't know about the micro-USB port, but not sure it will help if it did power the door bell since others have posted the SS (today) doesn't generate a ding-dong, only the original door bell sounds.

Hopefully this helps a bit.

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captain11

Captain

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6.3K Messages

6 years ago

@ General_KAOS, I found that my install produced some noise on the audio and took the housing off to check my handiwork. I suspected, correctly, I had left the bare wire too long.  Cut it back to  1/3 of an inch, just enough to wrap around the terminals and the noise went away.   Other than that, the doorbell chime, camera etc were all good right out of the box.  Again, zoom and lens quality awesome.

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jvaudo

8 Messages

6 years ago

I had the same issue with the chime ringing continuously. The wires were secured without touching. The doorbell I had was one of the digital ones that had 100 tunes, The only thing that worked was replacing it with a mechanical bell that has just two strikers that hit a metal tone bar. I still cannot get both strikers to ring, only one will. I have a 16V connection.

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markradel35

1 Message

Was sent a Chime Connector but the installation instructions are not clear enough. On hold for 30 minutes now for Tech Support.

6 years ago

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Faustg77

22 Messages

6 years ago

Continuously ringing doorbell..
Wiring is correct.
Now what???

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lrs

17 Messages

6 years ago

My doorbell is part of a Nutone Intercom System - it's old and outdated and I plan to remove at some point. But it does operate the doorbell. From online searches I read that you cannot connect a ring doorbell to the nutone intercom doorbell setup. The nutone doorbell circuit board won't work.  I guess that is why the doorbell chimes non stop when I connect the simplisafe doorbell. I assume this must be the same for the simplisafe doorbell - won't work with the intercom doorbell system.

If anyone knows how to make this work PLEASE reply.

If not I guess I will have to install a new mechanical doorbell chime and transformer and then connect the simplisafe doorbell. This may require an electrician. Ugh.

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garychance

38 Messages

If I understand you correctly, then every time the doorbell button is pushed, you are putting a dead short on the transformer. Might not cause problems when pushed for a few seconds, but will possibly cause the wires/transformer to get hot if pushed long enough.

6 years ago

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garychance

38 Messages

6 years ago

Let me begin by saying I do not have the new SS doorbell. I did have a similar problem using an electronic doorbell and changing to a lighted doorbell button. There was enough current flow through the bulb in the button to keep the chime active as though the button were being pressed. I wired two 5 watt resistors in parallel across the chime. (thus creating an approximately 15 ohm 10 watt resistor) This dropped the voltage going to the chime when the button was not being pressed. This would probably solve the buzzing problem and/or the staying on problem with the SS camera button. The resistors need to be wired on the actual chime, not on the SS button. Worth a try at least. Resistors are cheap.

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damoncartmell

19 Messages

"On October 26th, 2018 g.c.beeson says:


Let me begin by saying I do not have the new SS doorbell. I did have a similar problem using an electronic doorbell and changing to a lighted doorbell button. There was enough current flow through the bulb in the button to keep the chime active as though the button were being pressed. I wired two 5 watt resistors in parallel across the chime. (thus creating an approximately 15 ohm 10 watt resistor) This dropped the voltage going to the chime when the button was not being pressed. This would probably solve the buzzing problem and/or the staying on problem with the SS camera button. The resistors need to be wired on the actual chime, not on the SS button. Worth a try at least. Resistors are cheap."



Thanks for the help and I would like to try this. Where can I get the resistors from? Any other tips or tricks in regards to doing this would be much appreciated.

6 years ago

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garychance

38 Messages

I forgot to say in my post that I used two 29 ohm  5 watt resistors. Two 30 ohm 5 watt resistors should also be fine. If you have a Radio Shack store near you, you might try there. Or try Googling to find them somewhere that doesn't charge a fortune for shipping. One end of both resistors would go on the screw on the chime marked "transformer" and the other end of both resistors would go on the screw (also on the chime) marked "front" or "front door".

6 years ago

damoncartmell

19 Messages

I forgot to say in my post that I used two 29 ohm 5 watt resistors. Two 30 ohm 5 watt resistors should also be fine. If you have a Radio Shack store near you, you might try there. Or try Googling to find them somewhere that doesn't charge a fortune for shipping. One end of both resistors would go on the screw on the chime marked "transformer" and the other end of both resistors would go on the screw (also on the chime) marked "front" or "front door".


Thanks for the information. Any way I can talk you into posting a picture of the resistors wired in place?

6 years ago

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garychance

38 Messages

Damoncartmell

I don't think there is a way to post pictures here. Basically, You would be connecting a 29 or 30 Ohm 5 watt resistor across the chime terminals marked "transformer" and the one marked "front" or "front door", assuming your chime has three screw terminals. One would be marked "rear". Don't connect to that one. This is only for using a single front door camera / button. Then connect a second, identical resistor exactly the same way.

This could work with front and rear cameras but would require different value resistors wired differently.

Someone on here posted that they tried it and it worked, then got a chime connector from SS and that also worked for them.

6 years ago

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lrs

17 Messages

6 years ago

I opened the master nutone panel.  Inside was a 16V transformer, so I connected the doorbell wires to it.  I disconnected the other wires connected to the transformer - as we don't use the nutone system.  I also took out the doorbell chime circuit board.  Now my doorbell camera works - but there obviously is no doorbell chime.  Later maybe I will add a mechanical door bell, or wait for the SimpliSafe doorbell chime that I read about in other posts.

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damoncartmell

19 Messages

6 years ago

I am having the same issue. My home was built a year ago and I have a digital doorbell. Called SimpliSafe support to be told that they are not compatible with them. Why on Earth would you engineer it to be only compatible with older technology!! So I was told the only way to use it is to install a mechanical doorbell.

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jeremyskibba

1 Message

Probably because the vast majority of homes out there are still using "older" technology when it comes to doorbells.

6 years ago

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chrishuwaldt

1 Message

@damoncartmell​ did you ever figure this out?  We are having same issue.  Digital doorbell, older model.  you know old intercom system with the fancy long fancy ding dong song

3 years ago

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davey_d

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

Hi @chrishuwaldt,

As damoncartmell mentions in his post from 3 years ago, unfortunately the Video Doorbell Pro is not compatible with digital doorbells - only wired analog doorbell systems.

3 years ago

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damoncartmell

19 Messages

6 years ago

Question for the electrical inclined folks on this site. Can I use an adaptor from another company to solve this issue? Here is one I found.

https://skybelltechnologies.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/208219756-Do-I-need-a-Digital-Doorbell-Adapter-How-do-I-install-it-

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rickpalmer1

1 Message

I purchased that exact product (Sky Bell Connector Adapter) and wired it in as many scenarios possible and I still get the continuous ring of my digital chime.  

https://skybelltechnologies.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/208219756-Do-I-need-a-Digital-Doorbell-Adapter-How-do-I-install-it-


Anybody else have any luck?

6 years ago

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bryanseva

4 Messages

This SkyBell Doorbell Adapter here:

https://skybelltechnologies.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/208219756-Do-I-need-a-Digital-Doorbell-Adapter-How-do-I-install-it-

appears to be something similar to the Chime Connector here:

https://support.simplisafe.com/hc/en-us/articles/360029807031-How-do-I-install-the-chime-connector-

The customer service rep sent me one free with $7.50 shipping. We'll see what happens when I get it. It's not listed on the site.

4 years ago

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mikeopfl

1 Message

6 years ago

Same problem. Doorbell rings continuously, wiring is correct, doorbell camera does not power on. Called CS and received no help other than sending another camera.

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damoncartmell

19 Messages

6 years ago

New camera isn't going to work either. I tried 3 and all had the same result. They need to come out with an adapter for digital doorbells!

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scottsommo

6 Messages

6 years ago

Has anyone been able to solve the constantly chiming issue? I get a constant chiming as soon as I connect to the base unit. I have a mechanical time so I don't understand what's going on?

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pkkohler

12 Messages

This sounds like a wiring issue. Have you double checked your wiring, are the two wires touching at all? Are the wires correctly installed under the square washer beneath the screw?

6 years ago

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akeric87

3 Messages

Yeah they are installed under the square washer beneath the screw.  The constant ringing starts as soon as i put the doorbell on the base, so i assume thats when it completes the circuit. And it just constantly rings the doorbell inside the house. My assumption was that the doorbell inside is efficient, to where that small power draw from the simplisafe doorbell makes it constantly go off until i pull the ss doorbell off the base where the wiring is.  Im assuming this is the same issues others on this thread are having.

6 years ago

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mrfixit

2 Messages

Yes, When I contacted customer service about this issue they advised I need a Model: SSDBCC3 doorbell chime connector. It was easily installed on the doorbell in my home. It resolved that problem. However now the doorbell only rings as long as the button is being pushed. Otherwise everything is working great.

6 years ago

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akeric87

3 Messages

6 years ago

I have a electronic chime, and every time I put the doorbell on the base, it keeps chiming and will not stop just as other have posted. The doorbell does not turn on from what I can tell. I had a Ring previously and remember they included a diode. So I tried that here, and no luck. Fairly frustrated, and Simplisafe support also does not have an answer. After repeated emails, they mentioned there would be some adapter, but no timeline. I would even live if I could bypass the electronic chime and just get phone alerts, but not an option at this time like I had with Ring, where I would just charge the doorbell once a month.

Honestly just extremely frustrated at Simplisafe, as this product does not feel like it has been thought out and tested for the electronic doorbell users, which is a high enough percentage of folks.  Giving it another few days for an update, and returning it.

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scottsommo

6 Messages

6 years ago

yes, wires all installed correctly.  Same as others, as soon as doorbell unit touches base, continuous chiming.  Also, no lights or attempt for the unit to complete setup.  I have a mechanical chime as well.  8.5 volts at the button. SS is sending a "chime connector", whatever that is?  Should be here on Saturday.  Not holding my breath... If anyone figures out this constant chime business, please post your solution!

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lrs

17 Messages

6 years ago

My camera would not power on when connected while the door chime rang non-stop.  I disconnected my doorbell chime and just ran the power to the doorbell camera.  Now camera powers up and works.  I get a doorbell notification on my phone and ipad.  Not ideal - hoping a chime unit comes out in the near future - but at least the camera works - kind of.  I have on highest detection setting but constantly misses delivery people at my door.  I does detect the garbage truck consistently!  Maybe the software update will make it better.

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akeric87

3 Messages

how did you bypass your doorbell and run power to SS doorbell directly? Assuming you had an electronic chime as well?
They told me that some adapter they would send will fix it, but im not counting on it

6 years ago

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sfinternet

1 Message

I received a Chime Connector from SimpliSafe and on the front of the instructions it states "This chime connector will help correct buzzing issues or poor chime sound that you may have been experiencing with your SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro".  I installed it as instructed and still had chimes going off when the power was applied to the system.  In other words, it doesn't work.  I also purchased a tri-vole transformer and tried running the Doorbell Pro at 8 volts, the chimes (16 volt) stopped ringing (as expected) but the door bell wouldn't operate (even with the chimes disconnected).  So far I've talked to three different support reps.  The first one was clueless (the impression I was given was that she was being inconvenienced by my call).  The second and third reps did try and help but it was obvious they hadn't been educated on this problem and was shooting in the dark as to how to correct it.

6 years ago

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