Non-motoring > Doorbell wire	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: John Boy	Replies: 29

New Fri 31 Dec 21 10:40   Doorbell wire - John Boy

I’m replacing a battery operated doorbell because one of the 4 AA batteries leaked and corroded the inside. The new one uses 2 D batteries and is supplied with thin, stranded wire to the bell push. The original bell had thicker, non-stranded wire routed between floors, which won’t pull out. If I use the supplied wire it will have to be surface-mounted. What are the pros and cons of using the original wire in this instance? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 10:55   Doorbell wire - Bromptonaut

Is it a standard bell that just rings and has no other whistles etc ? In that case all the wire need to do is conduct 3volts round the circuit whilst the push is operated. Try it first with the old wire. My guess is that unless the distances are very long it'll work just fine. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 10:59   Doorbell wire - Manatee

Can't see any cons if it works. Pro is no having to run a new cable especially if that would be more visible. I assume it just has to carry the current to ring the bell, it isn't a camera for example. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 11:05   Doorbell wire - John Boy

It's just a simple, conventional bell. I wondered, for instance, if the thicker wire will cause the batteries to die more quickly. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 11:09   Doorbell wire - Bromptonaut

>> It's just a simple, conventional bell. I wondered, for instance, if the thicker wire will >> cause the batteries to die more quickly. The risk I think is that higher resistance/voltage drop might affect the efficacy and volume of the bell. As for battery life the problem, as you've already discovered, is that the batteries fail by leaking rather than 'going flat'. A reminder of why batteries in long life applications need checking regularly. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 11:21   Doorbell wire - Ambo

I don't get any of this. My doorbell is about 50 years old and has had no attention throughout. There are no external wires and I guess it is mains operated although I can't see the connecting wire. Has any other poster got one like this? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 11:33   Doorbell wire - Bromptonaut

>> I don't get any of this. My doorbell is about 50 years old and has >> had no attention throughout. There are no external wires and I guess it is mains >> operated although I can't see the connecting wire. Has any other poster got one like >> this? Ours originally ran from the mains via a transformer rectifier mounted above the circuit breakers. Installed by the builders so the wiring was fully concealed. The transformer generated a constant buzz on AM radio so I disconnected it and fitted batteries, for which there was provision in the bell's casing, instead. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 11:44   Doorbell wire - bathtub tom

If the new bell comes with thinner wire then using the old, stranded stuff will make absolutely no difference. The only time any current is drawn is when the bell is rung and there will be no effect whatsoever on battery drain. >>Has any other poster got one like >> this? The bungalow I've just bought has a mains bell. The transformer's immediately above it in the loft. It's supplied from the lighting circuit - how do I know? I pulled the circuit breaker for the lights while doing some work. Someone was ringing the bell, could see me moving around and ended up phoning. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 19:55   Doorbell wire - VxFan

>> A reminder of why batteries in long life applications need checking regularly. I can't remember where I saw it mentioned, but because NiMH batteries are so cheap these days, it's a no brainer to fit these instead. Or even Li-ion batteries. NiMH batteries are now made with a far better shelf life, in that once charged, they stay charged for ages now instead of slowly loosing their charge like they used to. Providing of course whatever you're using them for can run on a slightly reduced voltage (i.e. 1.2V instead of 1.5v) Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 11:43   Doorbell wire - Zero

>> It's just a simple, conventional bell. I wondered, for instance, if the thicker wire will >> cause the batteries to die more quickly. No it will be fine. Use the existing wire and carry on as normal. (as long as you haven't broken it by trying to pull it out) Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 11:53   Doorbell wire - John Boy

Thanks for the reassurance, everyone. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 12:12   Doorbell wire - smokie

I'd just get a wireless doorbell with additional chime boxes. I've had them with plug-in or battery powered boxes, the battery ones are handy as you can take them out in the garden if that's where you are going to be. Like this (Amazon) htinyurl.com/3d3skz54 Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 12:54   Doorbell wire - John Boy

I read the reviews for the bell in question. Quite a lot of them were written by people who had had problems with wireless bells, mainly, I think, interference from other wireless devices. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 13:28   Doorbell wire - smokie

To put it in perspective, there are 8863 reviews and 92% of them are 4 or 5 star. However interference can be a problem, but I have a million wireless devices (well, at least 40 that I can think of) connected to my network and so do my close next door neighbours) and my doorbells work OK (three repeaters). It can be a problem but is unlikely IMO. There are others but tbh they will most likely all be prone to the same. The beauty of buying though Amazon is they are so good at taking returns, it is easy. and usually quibble free. Last edited by: smokie on Fri 31 Dec 21 at 13:28 Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 15:15   Doorbell wire - Terry

I have wireless doorbells which need replacement at fairly regular intervals. The problem is the bell push - most have woefully inadequate weather protection rating and eventually the battery or PCB get wet, rot or rust. I assume a conventional bell bush just to make contact is far less prone to failure. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 15:53   Doorbell wire - Ambo

I now see what looks like a transformer alongside the circuit breakers. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 31 Dec 21 16:14   Doorbell wire - Kevin

The bellpush wiring on anything less than about 20yrs old should be carrying sod-all current. It's just a Hi/Lo signal to the chip in the chime unit. A couple of lengths of wet string should work. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sat 1 Jan 22 12:39   Doorbell wire - R.P.

Just bought one of the Ring ones. Self contained with rechargable batteries. It arrived weeks earlier than forecast by Amazon - It's quite clever. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sat 1 Jan 22 19:14   Doorbell wire - bathtub tom

>> Just bought one of the Ring ones. Thought about getting something like that for the new house. The lounge, dining and kitchen all face the back. SWMBO's going to be distraught at not knowing what's going on. #curtain twitcher. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sat 1 Jan 22 21:18   Doorbell wire - R.P.

Hahahaha...! We're in a dip away from passing people. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sat 1 Jan 22 21:42   Doorbell wire - Clk Sec

>>Just bought one of the Ring ones. I believe that will be replaced free of charge if some light fingered type makes off with it. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sat 1 Jan 22 22:00   Doorbell wire - John Boy

Never mind wireless bells! There's a whole world of choice out there, including pulleys and cables: doorbellworld.co.uk/index.php/period-doorbells-butlers-bells-mechanical-c-24_52?osCsid=98e39ca9ee18ba63241389d3b7fabb12 Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 2 Jan 22 11:02   Doorbell wire - Manatee

>>pulleys and cables Rods and bellcranks, shirley? Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 2 Jan 22 13:48   Doorbell wire - bathtub tom

New-fangled gizmos, making doormen redundant. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 2 Jan 22 14:03   Doorbell wire - Dog

Y'all don't need a doorbell when yoos have 2 large dogs!! Although I do have a wireless doorbell which works purrfectly, as did the one on my 5 bar gate at ye olde cottage. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 2 Jan 22 17:24   Doorbell wire - R.P.

Ours has been re-deployed. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 2 Jan 22 17:37   Doorbell wire - tyrednemotional

...zero hours contract....? Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 2 Jan 22 17:51   Doorbell wire - smokie

You know I love my tech and I was keen to get a video doorbell but SWMBO won't have it ever since she and a neighbour were chatting on their doorstep and husband turned up from inside the house with the answer to something they'd been discussing - he was obviously listening to them nattering. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 2 Jan 22 18:02   Doorbell wire - R.P.

Best way t. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 2 Jan 22 18:49   Doorbell wire - CGNorwich

You don't need to go down the high tech route with cordless bells and the like My neighbour has a very imposing set of double doors on his house and I ws only remarking to his othe wife the other day what a fine pair of knockers she has. Reply to this message | Report message