Replies

1. 
   Peter_Koski | Dec 24, 2001 10:26pm | #1

   *
   use the thermostat wire

1. 
   Cloud_Hidden | Dec 24, 2001 10:38pm | #2

   *Or go wireless.

1. 
   Ron_R | Dec 24, 2001 11:15pm | #3

   *With all of the wireless options (internet,telephone,doorbell,etc.) is there a reason to be concerned about having to many "wireless appliances" inn my home?

1. 
   Cloud_Hidden | Dec 24, 2001 11:38pm | #4

   *I can't tell you the engineering aspect of it, only that we have a bunch and never had a problem. I would guess that the bands they use are pretty well regulated, but that's a guess. Wireless doorbell worked for me be/c I simply forgot to provide for a wired one. As I recall, that was my biggest "oops" for the project. Though only you and I know that, so shhhhh. After a nervous trip to Lowes for research, I said, "Honey, I always intended to use a wireless doorbell. See how well it works. And I can put the chimes wherever you'd like them to be w/o having to worry about any silly ol' wires in the wall." Cheap, I know, but...

1. 
   Robert_Macaione | Dec 24, 2001 11:49pm | #5

   *Theromstat wire will work nicely for doorbells as well...I've used it several times. The chimes from the wireless models always sounded kinda cheap to me. As always, make sure your inspector doesn't have a preference.

2. 
   Kerr | Dec 26, 2001 07:18pm | #6

   *On wireless products and interference: (if I remember this correctly)"Bluetooth" was started as a kind of 'wild west town' of wireless bandwidth domain, for development, with minimal controls for maximum innovation. As a result, lots of neat stuff has come out wireless in the last few years, but some of it will interfere. I think that wireless computer stuff was most likely to be jumbled up by the cross talk that occured.I don't have any of the stuff so don't know details, but remember articles about these problems, and that in time they could grow to become big problems if people installed lots fo wireless stuff without being aware of the challenges...Just a little "heads up" from Cassandra over here. :o)oh, Cassandra was the Greek character who could see impending doom but was never listened to, so became a sort of a chicken little.

3. 
   Thaddeus_Raven | Dec 27, 2001 12:41am | #7

   *The problem is trying to re-regulate. The Greeks covered that with Pandora and her box. As for the bell; use wire. The battery in the wireless units always fails when the Publishers Clearinghouse Prize Patrol tries to ring you.

4. 
   George_Roberts | Dec 27, 2001 03:15am | #8

   *My door bell failed one day and I replaced it with a wireless one. Placed a button near the phone. I push the door bell button when I want off of the phone.

5. 
   Martagon_ | Dec 27, 2001 07:41am | #9

   *I had installed a remote switch for some outside lights which were controlled by a hardwire switch in the basement. It was one where you removed the original switch, and replaced it with one that had a little antenna that was hidden in the box. Then you could take the remote upstairs, which would have been the logical place to install the switch. (But nothing in this house is logical) Initially it worked ok, but after a couple of years, whenever I switched on the yard-light, the doorbell would ring. So, I ended up removing the remote for the yard-lights.

6. 
   Erich_Muschinske | Dec 27, 2001 07:42am | #10

   *Bluetooth and several other wireless devices have one small problem. They operate at the same frequency as microwave ovens! Now microwave ovens operate at the thousand watt level, Bluetooth and other devices operate at the tenth of a watt level. Guess who wins? What is an unnoticeable leak from the microwave will absoulutely shut down any wireless devices operating nearby.Erich

7. 
   Bee_Jay | Dec 27, 2001 08:01am | #11

   *I used to hang out with microwave safety guys. That microwave oven leak might be a concern. If the Doc tells you that you need a cataract operation, it's definately time to can the old microwave. I believe that there are some other organs that are at risk also.Microwave leaks are highly directional so that a very small leak can still be intense.BJ

8. 
   Ted_LaRue_ | Dec 27, 2001 08:49am | #12

   *This thread has spawned a sub-thread...It isn't necessary for different signals to use different frequencies. A TV remote uses a single infrared frequency to send all of the different signals it sends. This is accomplished by sending a code on the frequency (similar to the Morse code concept).Coded signals are more reliable and less subject to interference. A random loud noise could turn on the lights if you had one of those "clapper" devices (clap your hands to turn on/off the lights). But imagine if you had to clap your hands in a certain rhythm code to turn on/off the lights. A random noise wouldn't be as likely to trigger the switch.The biggest obstacle today seems to be standardizing things so that one controller can control multiple devices, and devices can "talk" to each other. Wait and see.....or gamble and try to be on the right cutting edge.

9. 
   Bob_Walker | Dec 27, 2001 02:36pm | #13

   *Had a client tell me once their wireless doorbell goes off whenever their neighbor opens their garage door!?!

10. 
    Greg_Gibson | Dec 27, 2001 04:58pm | #14

    *I know a lady who bought a new hearing aid, then discovered it was on the same frequency as her television remote control.Every time she turned to a different channel,(wait for it)......she changed her mind !!!!Greg.

11. 
    Mr._Pita | Dec 27, 2001 05:55pm | #15

    *I discovered a porblem at my mom's house the other day. My sister has her stereo (2nd floor) hooked up to a wireless remote set of speakers (1st floor). Anytime the cordless phone was used over the holidays, the speakers stopped music and went to static.

12. 
    Ron_R | Dec 27, 2001 06:16pm | #16

    *I've spent so much time on this computer, I guess I'll have to use the wireless! No just kidding, I'll take the time and run the thermostat wire. Thanks for all the interesting comments. I think I'll save some of my airspace for future use, I'm sure I'll forget something and need it then, this time though I'll do it the old fashioned way.

13. 
    Dave_Riggs | Dec 27, 2001 11:55pm | #17

    *Just for fun you guys: http://www.spOre.com Coolest doorbells dingers on the planet!(imho) I got a blue one last year for Christmas!

14. 
    The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Dec 28, 2001 12:08am | #18

    *Greg...I juusst wanted yaa to know...........................I waited!.........................Thanks!.........................near the stream,.....................one.

15. 
    Ron_R | Dec 28, 2001 12:20am | #19

    *Do you have a better link address? the one given won't work.

2. 
   Ron_R | Dec 28, 2001 12:20am | #20

   *
   Is it permissable to use 18-2 Thermostat wire for a doorbell,or do I need to use 18 gauge bell wire? I know the wire is the same size and able to carry the voltage. I'm wondering about the insulation difference's and the fact that "bell wire" always seems to be twisted.