Doorbell transformer?

[Roger465]

I’m planning to fit one of these video doorbells to the front door. It runs off the low voltage AC to the existing doorbell button (about 10V as I measure it).

But what this has got me wondering is, where is the low voltage transformer? I opened the actual bell in the hallway, but I think that’s just the bell itself – there doesn't appear to be mains on anything there, or any sign of a transformer.

Is there a transformer hanging around up in the attic somewhere, under a foot of insulation? Just worried in case I ever have to replace it or whatever… thanks

 

[winston1]

Could be inside your CU or next to it.

 

[Roger465]

Could be inside your CU or next to it.

Thanks - only thing I can see out there is this little box, up on top... but all the wiring is behind the wooden board, so not sure. Does it look like one to you?

 

[RF Lighting]

Yes that is most certainly your doorbell transformer

 

[Roger465]

Yes that is most certainly your doorbell transformer

Thanks, that's reassuring. Merry Christmas

 

[Taylortwocities]

Is that transformer compatible with the new fancy doorbell?

 

[Roger465]

Is that transformer compatible with the new fancy doorbell?

Yeha, good point. Haven't got it in front of me right now but it apparently works over quite a wide voltage range - something like 8-20AC.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes, but how many AMPs does it require?
How many AMPs can your transformer deliver?

 

[Roger465]

Yes, but how many AMPs does it require?
How many AMPs can your transformer deliver?

Hhmmm, good point. I'm starting to forget everything important in my old age. I'll check!

 

[bernardgreen]

Most door bell transformers are rated for a very low duty cycle and will get warm ( or hot ) if they are continuously supplying current as low as 10% of the rated current.

 

[Roger465]

Turns out I hadn’t really thought about how it works.

When it’s “idling”, the only power needed is for the motion sensor and LED illuminated ring around the button. It’s been on all day, and no detectable heat from that little transformer.

If somebody approaches, it turns the camera on for a while, sends an alert to my phone, and rings the old doorbell if somebody presses the button. But that doesn't last very long – anyway, as I say, no heat that I can feel.

So all good hopefully – I’m rather pleased with it, actually – if somebody pops by when I’m out shopping or whatever, I can even talk to them in the doorway from my phone

One of these, if anybody's interested - currently £90. Argos have them.

 

[EFLImpudence]

if somebody pops by when I’m out shopping or whatever, I can even talk to them in the doorway from my phone

You could if you wrote your phone number on the door.

 

[Roger465]

You could if you wrote your phone number on the door.

Ah, but this way I can see them too

 

[Iamchamps]

Don’t you need to pay a subscription to record and retain images?

 

[Roger465]

Don’t you need to pay a subscription to record and retain images?

Yes, but I don't want to do that. All I really need is to be able to see who's at the door before I answer it - we get a lot of religious nut-cases endlessly polluting the porches around here. This way, I can sit in my armchair, see who they are, politely decline their offer of half an hour of glassy-eyed evangelism and flecks of spit in my face - then, if they don't clear off, activate the optional boiling oil mechanism. I haven't found that in the catalogue yet, but I'm assuming it's available.