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Our doorbell has become defective. It does not alway ring. The mechanical part is in our hallway and looks like a wall sconce that is always lit. Bell came with house which is over 40 years old.
Can we fix this and is it simple?
Would it need rewiring?
Should we replace it?
If replace, I am not looking for anything fancy, digital, or entire home security system to replace it with. Just an electric doorbell that goes ding dong when someone is at the door. Is such a thing still available?
Thank you for any help and suggestions.
You'll need an electrican if you're not handy. If you know how to use a multi-meter you're in luck. Most older homes use a hardwired transformer to power the doorbell. Find it and check for voltage. If you know how to use the meter you should be able to spot the transformer. If it's there, check the switch (button) with the meter. If it's working, replace the bell. Otherwise replace defective parts. Good luck.
Or you could go to Home Despot and buy a wireless, battery powered doorbell for twenty bucks or so.
You'll need an electrican if you're not handy. If you know how to use a multi-meter you're in luck. Most older homes use a hardwired transformer to power the doorbell. Find it and check for voltage. If you know how to use the meter you should be able to spot the transformer. If it's there, check the switch (button) with the meter. If it's working, replace the bell. Otherwise replace defective parts. Good luck.
Or you could go to Home Despot and buy a wireless, battery powered doorbell for twenty bucks or so.
How does this work? Step by step, please, what would I have to do to install it? Do i need an electrician if it is wireless?
Thank you for your response.
Theres something about doorbells and low voltage transformers that bug me. In this day and age - why are we still using 100y/o tech in our houses for (what should be) one of the simplest things in a house.
Start with the mechanism/contacts in the $2 outdoor button.
Next likely culprit is the $5 transformer in the basement.
Ours is in the attic. One house we lived in didn't have a basement. The transformer was inside a large junction box in the closet on the opposite side of the wall from where the actual chime unit was located, I have also seen them in older houses mounted to the electrical panel. It may take a little looking to find it.
If you don't have a meter to test things, you can check out the button by removing the button from the outside wall and using a short piece of wire or other metal to "jump" across the terminals on the back of the button, (It is a low voltage, but still be careful.)
they do have wireless systems any body can install.
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