Ring Pro with no existing doorbell wiring

[Whiskeymike]

Bought my wife a Ring Pro video camera doorbell for Christmas. We have an existing doorbell, and by the look of the button, I thought it had wiring/power. I popped off the doorbell cover this morning, and I was wrong. It’s wireless with a tiny battery. Doh!!

Wondering if I should return it and get the 2 which has a battery capability or I should figure out how to wire up a transformer and run it through the wall.

Any input?

What’s involved with running a transformer and the 24v wiring? Do I need a box outside? I have a sandstone exterior, so the seems like it would be a pain.

I see they have these power plugs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074SK39BW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Can I just route this along the baseboard and through the wall with some caulk?

 

[snyder]

I went through this same thing last month. I decided that in the long run it would be better to install a transformer and run the wireing to the ring. I knew that down the road changing or charging the batteries every month would be a pita. I even had to cut out a peice of drywall and remove the door jamb trim to get it done. Glad its over, but glad i did it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I went through this same thing last month. I decided that in the long run it would be better to install a transformer and run the wiring to the ring. I knew that down the road changing or charging the batteries every month would be a pita. I even had to cut out a piece of drywall and remove the door jamb trim to get it done. Glad its over, but glad i did it.

I have the Ring VDB 2 and changing the battery is not a PITA. Takes all of 30 seconds, if even that.

I bought a spare one and just keep it charged for when the in use battery dies.

Theres also a solar charger that continuously charges the battery if there is enough sun, that i could get. But didnt want to spend $60

 

[Whiskeymike]

I went through this same thing last month. I decided that in the long run it would be better to install a transformer and run the wireing to the ring. I knew that down the road changing or charging the batteries every month would be a pita. I even had to cut out a peice of drywall and remove the door jamb trim to get it done. Glad its over, but glad i did it.

Which transformer did you get? If it wasn’t a plug in, did you add a box somewhere?

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I went through this same thing last month. I decided that in the long run it would be better to install a transformer and run the wireing to the ring. I knew that down the road changing or charging the batteries every month would be a pita. I even had to cut out a peice of drywall and remove the door jamb trim to get it done. Glad its over, but glad i did it.

Can you describe exactly what you needed to do? I’ve had one sitting here for a few months and haven’t installed it yet because I don’t know the best way to run the wiring.

 

[Norcal]

Just a note, doorbells & chimes are 16V not 24V.

 

[rlitman]

Just a note, doorbells & chimes are 16V not 24V.

Generally yes, but I have also seen 12VAC systems. The Ring 2 can work off of any AC input from 8V to 24V. Though if it is connected directly to a power source, they call for an inline resistor.

But I think that the Pro (which doesn't have a battery) is more finicky, and 24V may indeed fry it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Generally yes, but I have also seen 12VAC systems. The Ring 2 can work off of any AC input from 8V to 24V. Though if it is connected directly to a power source, they call for an inline resistor.

But I think that the Pro (which doesn't have a battery) is more finicky, and 24V may indeed fry it.

according to ring, it needs 16vac-24vac...

https://shop.ring.com/products/video-doorbell-pro

 

[rlitman]

according to ring, it needs 16vac-24vac...

https://shop.ring.com/products/video-doorbell-pro

Yeah, I saw that. But it's not quite that simple. They have specific VA requirements, and if you were to plug this into a 24V transformer that's too big, coupled with wires that are also too big, you may still end up frying it (this, from anecdotal internet evidence, so take it for what it's worth).

Back to the OP, do you have a finished basement? The easiest way to completely hide the wiring (as opposed to a hokey staple to the baseboard option), is to pull the interior door casing (be sure to use a box cutter to cut the paint where the molding meets the wall so you don't peel). From there, you've got a straight shot out to the door bell in the space between the door jamb and the stud. Get yourself a really long 3/16" drill bit, and use that to drill out for the wire, down across any shims, and down through the floor into the space below.

 

[grounded-b]

Yeah, I saw that. But it's not quite that simple. They have specific VA requirements, and if you were to plug this into a 24V transformer that's too big, coupled with wires that are also too big, you may still end up frying it (this, from anecdotal internet evidence, so take it for what it's worth).

What ? Impossible to have a transformer too big ( as long as it's the correct voltage ) Having extra amps available won't hurt.

I guess if you had a dead short, the extra amps could cause overheating, but then, that could be prevented by adding a 1 amp fuse inline.

Wiring also can not be too large. Larger wire will prevent voltage drop.

Steve
( an electrician )

 

[rlitman]

What ? Impossible to have a transformer too big ( as long as it's the correct voltage ) Having extra amps available won't hurt.

I guess if you had a dead short, the extra amps could cause overheating, but then, that could be prevented by adding a 1 amp fuse inline.

Wiring also can not be too large. Larger wire will prevent voltage drop.

Steve
( an electrician )

The Ring Pro CREATES a dead short when it rings your doorbell. It's not doing what you think it's doing. Remember that it's actually designed to be a parasitic load on your bell solenoid. The small wiring, and limited VA output of your transformer (technically subtransient-reactance), prevents that dead short from destroying the Pro. But if you connect it directly to a 24VAC supply, you can expect problems.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Run a wire, install a power supply with a 25 ohm, 50 watt resistor in line.
https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/a...-Transformer-Without-a-Pre-existing-Doorbell-

 

[rlitman]

Run a wire, install a power supply with a 25 ohm, 50 watt resistor in line.
https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/a...-Transformer-Without-a-Pre-existing-Doorbell-

I posted the Ring 2 version of that link higher up. Note however that it is for the Ring (and Ring 2; i.e. doorbells that have batteries, and are designed for 8-24VAC input), and not the Ring Pro. I'm not sure if they have a procedure for the Ring Pro worked out or not.

 

[snyder]

Which transformer did you get? If it wasn’t a plug in, did you add a box somewhere?

I purchased a builder's grade doorbell `kit` at home depot. It came with transformer and chime unit. The transformer got mounted on the main panel and I ran the wire up into the attic and down into the front door jamb.

 

[Whiskeymike]

Back to the OP, do you have a finished basement?

Unfortunately, no basement, and around front door is cathedral ceiling so no access from attic. So I have to come off existing wiring or use a plugin transformer.

 

[rlitman]

Unfortunately, no basement, and around front door is cathedral ceiling so no access from attic. So I have to come off existing wiring or use a plugin transformer.

Do you have siding? Soffit vents?

If there’s no other route, running along the baseboard isn’t the worst thing in the world. The wire is pretty small.