HO on current project asked me about doorbells today; he was checking out an entry closet for a spot to mount a transformer, but wanted to know if there was advantage to one of the wireless and if there were any good quality ones.
Me? I’m the wrong one to ask: No trick-or-treaters, only occasional visitors….don’t need a doorbell. Dogs barking alerts me to company…
Low-e storm panels improve the energy efficiency of these old sash windows without changing their classic look.
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Replies
Tell HO to get a dog, it's that simple.
Tom
I totally forgot about wiring for the doorbell. Got one of the wireless at Lowe's. Works perfectly. Got a separate buzzer for the basement. They ring different signals so I know if someone's up or down. With the way they work, I can't think of a reason I'd prefer wired.
That was kind of my thought, but then, there's the battery issue.
And, can you get one that plays "Pacalbels Canon" or program them to do Christmas tunes? (These were questions that came up in the discussion).
Hey; this is for a Dome, so we gotta do it right!!!
If the batteries fade, the music sounds rrrr-e-aaaaa-ll-lllll-y warped--like a record left on the back seat of your car too long.
Batteries have been no big deal. No more so than for smoke detectors anyway.
Haven't seen any with programmable music, though if you really want to get fancy, use this http://www.elkproducts.com/products/elk-930.htm and its related products. You'll be able to have the doorbell trigger lights, flip the TV off, or pop your toaster. Seriously, I use their PLC and it's great stuff.
>That was kind of my thought, but then, there's the battery issue.
They need batteries?
That explains a lot.
[liked this answer better than my previous one, and wanted to share...]
You know the Publisher's Clearing House people are going to show up just after the battery s--ts the bed.Oh well, off to the runner-up's house.
The wireless ones are cheaper to install, HO versus an electrical crew at 50 to 75 per hour, and may be the only reasonable choice to get a button in more difficult locations.
On the down side they are larger and more obtrusive, 1-1/2 by 3" plastic box typically versus a lit 5/8" button with a brass ring around it.
Subject to having the battery go dead every 2 years or so depending on usage. This can be a good excuse if you can't hear the bell from the outside, breaking the illusion, so it could be turned to advantage.
There can be conflicts with neighbors if they get a similar wireless model and the codes overlap. Yours and your neighbors, depending on how close the neighbors house is, doorbell might go off at the same time. Annoying but not the end of the world. This too can be used to your advantage if you enjoy juvenile pranks. Resetting the code, multiple codes are a feature of most of the better units, usually solves this problem.
Great Fore Lorn One,
While we're on this problem of crossing wireless signals, have you seen it often? We've put ion a lot of woreless stuff to avoid tearing up nice walls in old homes but there has to be a limit. My electrician is gedtting nervous about it because he can't afford too many callbacks for non operable stuff.
In one house we've got a dozen different sending switches for lights, wirelss doorbells, fourteen portable telephones on four lines, a wireless computer to printer rig, remotes for sound systems and TVs, a garage door openner, and God only knows what else I've forgotten or am unaware of. I'm waiting for the day when they try to print out something at the PC and the garge door opens, the lights turn off and when they try to call me to report it, all the music from the sound system comes on.
;).
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are." --Marcus Aurelius
I have seen crossed signals a few times. Automated home control, I think X10 is the most common, garage door openers and wireless doorbells are all subject, under the right conditions, to cross talk.
Over the last 8 years or so this has been managed by the manufacturers by providing multiple codes or channels so that conflicted devices can be disentangled. This means that your chances of getting a conflict is lessened and usually easy to work out. On the down side you have to experience a problem before a fix can be produced while these problems can suddenly appear at odd hours and in seemingly random fashion.
A few considerations. Problems are more likely where houses are packed more tightly together. Quality equipment seems less prone to this problem so, as with most things, avoid the low price spread. Ok, this is obvious and goes against the mans code of conduct, read and follow the directions. Most of these control units have a set of slide switches controlling channel or code the unit functions on. The installers are usually instructed to randomize this setting. All the units ship with the same code and failing this step greatly increases the chance of cross talk.
All of the problems I have seen have been corrected by either replacing dirt cheap equipment or simply changing the codes. Only once have I had to do this more than once.
We did have a couple sending switches for lights get intermarried and sorted it out again.
And the phone system - after it was in for a week, I was walking through the house away from the base I picked up from talking on a portable when another line rang. I put my handset down on the same table where I answered the other line. All of a sudden no line in the house would work. I had to chase through the whole trouble shooting guide and the answer was that we had to unplug every phone in the house, take batteries out of the bases and the handsets, leave them out for a minimum of thirty minutes, then go through then entire installation and setup procedure again. Whew - it wore me out mentally!.
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are." --Marcus Aurelius
Wireless systems, control, phone, networking are all touted as being easy to use and install. Sometimes yes. Sometimes not. Reliability, security and ease of trouble shooting can be sorely lacking when compared to hard wired versions.
Also phones that don't work with the power off and are easy prey to eavesdroppers or people who want to use your long distance. Networks open to intrusion by wardrivers. Garage doors that open to anyone with a code capture or scan device. Are all unintended consequences of these technologies. While rarely a problem now these threats are growing.Being a codger I have always preferred hardwired devices but there are a few things to avoid problems.
A switch controlling power to the garage door opener, sometimes called a vacation switch, prevents remote access while you are away for long periods. Let them scan until they turn blue.
Including at least one corded phone make sure that if you loose utilities you still have a way to call for help should fire or ambulance services be needed. I understand the 1.2GHz models are more secure.
Most networks are faster and more reliable if hardwired. In many cases it is easier than people think. A hardwired network combined with a good firewall is far more secure than even the best, reasonably priced, wireless models. This is becoming more important as more and more of our lives and important passwords are stored on computers. Used to be that, for the most part, you needed to go to the bank to steal money. Now anyone connected to the network can access your account from across the globe. Only an account number and password stops them.
I consider most wireless control systems to be geek gadgets that are not reliable. Those roles that truly need to be performed are more often better done with normal hardwired switches or controls.
Wireless doorbells are the one device that I regularly have contact with. They don't carry sensitive information or perform a vital function that cannot be worked around. The better units are easy to install and provide a cost effective alternative to having to get wires into or across difficult areas. Provided the battery is replaced every year, you might as well get the smoke detectors and the back up flashlight at the same time, they are reliable. Just be sure to randomize the code select switches to stop cross talk.
Hardwired is always better. So, it's a bit more expensive to install. No worries later. The first time the battery goes dead you are going to get a phone call. And I promise you won't be able to charge for that visit without incurring HO wrath.
As for the transformer. It can go just about anywhere. Of course closer is better but then how big is the house? Probably by the main panel will be fine.
Thanks. I think HO has decided on hardwired for the reasons you cite. Besides, I told him that, by doing so, he'd be a leg up on Cloud Hidden's showcase dome.
I was gonna reply with something witty, but I gotta run out right now and get me some doorbell wire and a transformer. No special reason why. Maybe hook a 60 watts/channel amplifier to it. Yeah, that oughta do it. :)
Hook it up backwards to that amp and you may get music you can't forget. Something close to 1.2Kv can give that system a little extra......kick.
Actually, I referred HO to the link you provided....He may go for that....he likes technology.