Moving doorbell transformer box-How difficult?
lsst
15 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (15)
heimert
15 years agobtharmy
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Moving Electrical panel Box
Comments (6)It should only take several hours for an electrician to disconnect the wires and rotate the box if that was all that was involved. However, it's hard to tell what all is happening in that box. For example, it looks like there are wires coming out of the bottom of the box that are going somewhere else, and there may also be some splices in the box that are not to code. How much these issues add to the time I can't say. Also, you are aware, aren't you, that the electrician will have to cut out sheetrock above and below the box to pull the wires through and then reinstall them once the box is turned? And you are getting a permit, right?...See MoreOne Doorbell Button to 4 Doorbells/Chimes
Comments (14)I have tried wireless in the past and the range was not good for the 2 models I tried and returned. I don't know how much money you want to spend, but I purchased for about $300, a system where you have one doorbell, and 2 TV monitors. CAT5 cable was run to each area. Each tv monitor needs a transformer. We put a 'hidden' spot in the garage where all the transformers plug into a double duplex using a plug in strip to give them more room since transformers are wider than a plug size. We basically got some 18g 2-wire and ran that from each tv monitor location to where the 2gang duplex would be in the garage. Then after drywall went up, the transformers were cut and spliced into the 2-wire that went to the tv monitors. Each monitor needs a separate transformer according to the Lone Star people. since you would use 4 locations, they might have something where you just use a couple tv monitors (expensive) and a cpl locations that can just do 2-way audio. This system is also available in a 4 monitor. It was a Genway brand which is sold by a company in Houston, TX. They have real live phone support and were nice. They also have a store on Ebay, but if you buy direct from them like I did, they gave me a discount since they didn't lose money through their ebay fees. They are called Lonestar Group. but there are other companies (google video door intercom). See link. I liked the look and feel of the DNS7 doorbell/camera. If feels heavy in your hand and I have gotten a lot of compliments on it and I live in San Francisco where people are very style conscious. Both the plumbing inspector and the Glass Installer asked me where I got my doorbell. However the angle of the camera is not very wide so if people are not standing right in front of it I can't see them. There is 2-way audio so you can ask them to step back. My system was $300, but they are able to give you a package with more monitors. Just call them on the phone to ask. Their tech support can even explain about how to cut the transformer wire and splice it so you can run it longer through the walls. But it's really simple. We did not do any splicing in the wall. We did it outside in the garage where it is accessible. Here is a link that might be useful: Lone Star Video Door Intercom...See MoreDoorbell Transformer Tape
Comments (10)"Electrical Insulating tapes are used primarily on small to large coils and capacitors to provide mechanical holding power during the manufacturing process (typically varnish impregnation)" The point to note here, is that the ends of all the thin laminations are probably not protected from moisture very well if you remove the tape. Moisture can cause rust. I have replaced a lot of transformers because the humming was getting bad enough to bother the homeowners. Most of these have been in a utility room right above the condensate drain for the indoor AC coil. The smallest bit of rust can cause the transformer to humm, and it resonates through the junction box. Some rust spots are almost unnoticeable, but if you can take a razor blade, and remove the rust spot between the laminates, that is wedging them apart, without bending the laminate, you can get the humm / buzzing to stop. I don't know how much of a difference in non-buzzing lifespan you may get for a transformer with or without the tape, because it would have more to do with the environment. A buzzing transformer is not dangerous, just annoying, and $10 is not that big of a deal for a relatively easy DIY fix many years down the road when the sound gets to the annoying point....See MoreWired Doorbell issue
Comments (6)One possibility is that your meter is reading "phantom voltage" and the transformer actually can't supply significant current. To find out, check the transformer's voltage under load (when the doorbell button is pushed). Or connect a car dome light or tail light bulb across the transformer's secondary (screw terminals) to see if it lights. If it still reads 12 volts, or the bulb lights, remove the transformer, doorbell, and button from the house. Wire them to one another on your workbench. If they work there, either the house's doorbell wiring is faulty, or a connection to one of the components wasn't properly made. Wait, you said the transformer is in the garage? Any chance that it's downstream from a GFI?...See Morelsst
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