Doorbells

[fan-of-fans]

Has anyone had any wireless doorbell they can recommend? I've had two in the past, and found they just don't last. It seems the button outside is the issue, they just get to where they work intermittently or not at all. Not sure if moisture is the issue or not. I've seen some units that plug directly into the wall but that doesn't solve the button problem.

The units I had were both inexpensive ones, but it seems like spending more just gets you a more decorative chime and not better electronics.

I just like having a doorbell, because it seems if people push the button and don't hear the chime, they decide to bang on the door so hard it's as if they're trying to break in or something. Just annoying.

 

[thomasortega]

I have a GE doorbell and I love it has the "Jetson's doorbell" tone (among 8 other options including the star spangled banner that's extremely annoying (it plays the whole national anthem each time you hit the button, so if somebody hits the button twice, the doorbell will ring forever)

Ring also has excellent doorbells with cameras (I got two ring floodlights and I'm looking forward to get the doorbell camera too)

 

[thomasortega]

This one...

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY4bz7_qFgc

 

[pulltostart]

I have two doorbells.  This house was built with a hard-wired doorbell, and it still works fine.  But I've always wanted a non-electric doorbell on my front door, so I installed one that includes a viewer.  However, apparently the majority of people (including my own brother) in these neck o' the woods are completely unfamiliar with a doorbell, as they always just knock on the door.

 

You can't fix stupid, I guess.

 

lawrence

 

[tomturbomatic]

Knocks are easier to ignore and unless I am expecting someone, I don't answer the door.

 

[good-shepherd]

unless I am expecting someone, I don't answer the door

Right, they're not knocking to tell me I won the Publishers clearing house sweepstakes..

 

[askolover]

We don't have a doorbell....some ninny would undoubtedly ring it while I'm sleeping in the day time and then we would have WWIII!  Never awaken the Grinch when I'm sleeping!

 

[panthera]

Definitely one of those wi-fi doorbells which show a video

On your smartphone. I've put in a few 'RING' units which have a decent life between charges and none had problems in our high-up in the Rockies winters the past two years.

 

[hoovermatic]

Friedland

I have had a Friedland Decor wireless doorbell and it has never let me down - very well made and totally reliable, not sure if they are available in the USA but worth a look IMO.

 

[kb0nes]

If it is indeed the switch contacts that have become intermittent, hit them with a shot of DeOxit D5 if you can get in to access them. They will work for years after that assuming it is a contact problem.

If you aren't familiar with DeOxit you really should be, it isn't just a contact cleaner

 

[abcomatic]

My doorbell at home here is wireless from 1897. All you have to do is turn the bell, which is inside on the woodwork,and that is all there is to it. It unwinds when the bell button outside is pushed and when it no longer rings, just wind it clockwise and you are good to go. Gary

 

[tolivac]

Be VERY careful with the aresol DEOxidit spray!!!!!DO NOT spray it near or on circuit boards!!!!!A radio station automation system was messed up for the night because of this.The DeOxit that comes in the bottle is better-apply with a Q-Tip ONLY to the area needed-like board edge connectors.It took ALL NIGHT to clean the boards in that automation system before it would work again.This stuff IS CONDUCTIVE!!!Its a great fix-but ONLY on connectors.

 

[chachp]

Doorbell Cameras

 

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">This is a timely subject for me.  I'm having a doorbell camera installed tomorrow with the security system in the new house.  I have cameras already for the other doors of the house but since this is a new to us house I wanted something different.  We'll see how we like it.  The house currently has a wired doorbell that works just fine but has the most annoying chime.  If for some reason the doorbell camera doesn't work out I will be replacing that awful sounding doorbell.</span>

 

[kb0nes]

DeOxit D-series products are NOT conductive... I have no idea how it would cause any failure. I have seen very high impedance RF boards soaked in it that weren't even detuned. Been using it for over 3 decades now and never seen it do anything evil on anything...

I do agree it should be used sparingly though, it attracts dust!

 

[tolivac]

Hate to beg a difference with you---IT IS!!!!!!So be careful using it!!!!Me and a friend learned the HARD WAY from that incident involving the circuit boards!!!I would not want to use the stuff around HV circuits-like vacuum tube and line voltages.It was certainly conductive enough to affect the automation system control boards.The stations "engineer" thought he could fix what was a monior problem with his system by sluicing the boards with Dexidit-guess he was trying to use it like a cleaner.

 

[tolivac]

MY BAD!!!!Thought about that incident again and its was Spray red Cramilon that other tech sprayed on and sluiced the boards with!!!That incident caused the VOA Eu service to be down for about 4 hrs as me and and another man had to soak and clean the IGM boards-When they were clean and dry had to reprogram the system.Both of these have similar uses-so I would still be careful WHERE you sue them.For connections that get hot-as for tube pins I won't use either.The stuff dries from the heat and clogs the sockets-making it harder to remove or install tubes.Some "G fiddilists" like to use those in the amps-tell them NOT to!Just use contact cleaner on the sockets and pins.Have had good luck with this for Hi-fi and Guitar amps.And some of those guys use WD40!!!!That makes another mess!Esp if they spray it into pots.The IGM boards were cleaned with Iso alcohol.

 

[kb0nes]

Rex, Red Cramolin is the almost identical product to Caig's D5 DeOxit. I still have a can that I use from the 80's. The only formulation change was some solvents and propellants to make it EPA friendly. Cramolin also isn't conductive...

I was introduced to Cramolin and Caig labs in 1985 when I first got a job as a TV/hifi bench technician. I have used many of their products religiously ever since. The only product of theirs that I have that is at all conductive is one of their greases, L260DCp which has copper particles in it. There is NO better treatment for lead-acid battery posts and terminals!

 

[tolivac]

We need to tell the IGM system that the Cramilon was "non-conductive" -The unit worked perfectly after the boards were cleaned of the Craminlon.So I only used those on connectors ONLY-and just a little will do ya!A rag or tip DAMPENED with either is enough!

 

[sudsmaster]

I have a little transmitter on my traditional door bell circuit. It detects a front door button push and then sends a signal to a remote receiver, I think the range is about 100-200 feet.

It comes in handy when I'm working in the shop, when I can't hear the main bell in the house. However the receiver units started making humming noises when not activated, so I believe I've disconnected them.

One product I'll never get is the new NEST video doorbell. It's because their commercials are the most annoying I've ever heard. The consist of a constant LOUD knocking sound and people shouting "HELLO!" over and over. I even posted a negative feedback on their website and told them I would NEVER buy their product. Oddly, the commercials have stopped. Still won't buy one.

Want to be annoyed?

I found the commercial online. Horrible! Warning: not for sentient beings!