wireless doorbells

D

Dennis M

Guest
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells. The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own (no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank). I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now. The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring; one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries. It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go low.
The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.
 
Tiny bugs/spiders can crawl into outside electrical things and short the
contacts. Might want to inspect the rear door button and see if any
"critters" have invaded.

Also water can sometimes get in there and short things out.

I place fine mesh screen over electrical vent openings to keep the bugs out.
If heat is not a problem as it would not be with a battery operated doorbell
button, you may be able to seal any openings with a dab of caulk or caulk
around the back edges. (Get any bugs out first!)

If water is getting in there, maybe build a little covering over it?

BTW this is where the term "computer bug" came from. A bug was crawling
around on the wiring of one of the first computers and caused quite a bit of
trouble!



"Dennis M" wrote in message
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells. The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own
(no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank). I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now. The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring; one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries. It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go
low.
The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.
Click to expand...
 
On Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:22:09 -0500, dennism3@dennism3.invalid (Dennis
M) wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells.
Click to expand...
Ummm... yes.

The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own (no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank).
Click to expand...
Any particular maker and model number? Actually, what I would like is
the FCC ID number from either the remote or the receiver so I can
lookup the frequency. It's usually 418MHz(EU), 433.925Mhz, 315MHz,
320MHz, 335MHz, 350MHz, 2400Mhz, etc. The frequency might also be
inscribed on the device somewhere.

If it's on 433.925Mhz, so are weather station remote sensors, which
will cause some interesting interference, especially since both use
OOK (on-off keying) for data.

If your unspecified model doorbell has a user programmable security
code, you might try changing it.

I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now.
Click to expand...
Walk 80.0ft and talk to the neighbors. Have them bring their garage
door opener remote over to your house. Do some testing.

The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring;
Click to expand...
Have you tested the batteries? If you don't have a tester or DVM to
measure them, just replace them and see if it fixes the problem.

one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries.
Click to expand...
Button cell batteries? They do have a part number.

It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.
Click to expand...
Do you have two receivers, one for single ring, and one for the
unspecified other ring?

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go low.
Click to expand...
No. They tend to go comatose when the battery goes low. Range
decreases dramatically so it's unlikely that your neighbor is causing
more problems now. If this has been going on for several days, it's
unlikely to be a dying battery because it would have totally quit by
now with all the ringing.

The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.
Click to expand...
Well, if the C batteries were originally new and good quality alkaline
cells, they should not be dead in 2 years unless you use the doorbell
excessively. My guess(tm) would be 1 to 5 years with good batteries,
and maybe a year or two with junk batteries. Get out the DVM and
measure the battery voltage for a clue. Anything under about 1.1VDC
is a near dead alkaline battery.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
Dennis M wrote:
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells. The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own (no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank). I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now. The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring; one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries. It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go low.
The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.
Click to expand...
I have the same thing. In place 4 years now with no problems.Maybe I
should change the batteries in the ringer and buttons by now. Still
works, doesn't get very much use.
 
"Dennis M" <dennism3@dennism3.invalid> wrote in message
news:dennism3-ya02408000R1310091822090001@news.datemas.de...
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells. The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own
(no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank). I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now. The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring; one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries. It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go
low.
The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.
Click to expand...
Had same problem today with a carbon monoxide alert. Uses 9 volt battery.
Low battery light did not come on but monoxide alert triped.. Checked
battery ( carbon battery 2 years and 10 months old) Read 7.19 volts. Changed
battery. Problem solved. Called manufacture, they recomended alkaline
batteries. I shall purchase one. WW
 
In article <535ad5ddp555lkh8dt8c77e9ttq5qm498g@4ax.com>, Jeff Liebermann
<jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:

On Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:22:09 -0500, dennism3@dennism3.invalid (Dennis
M) wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells.

Ummm... yes.

The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own (no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank).

Any particular maker and model number? Actually, what I would like is
the FCC ID number from either the remote or the receiver so I can
lookup the frequency. It's usually 418MHz(EU), 433.925Mhz, 315MHz,
320MHz, 335MHz, 350MHz, 2400Mhz, etc. The frequency might also be
inscribed on the device somewhere.
Click to expand...
It is a Heath/Zenith Wireless Mechanical Battery Operated Chime,
manufactured by Desa Specialty Products of Bowling Green, Ky.

On the back the only thing that looks like a model number is "TR-6505-RX."
For some reason it also says "Canada: 3984 104 559A." Unfortunately, I
threw the original packaging it came in away.

But luckily I kept the manual. Some relevant excerpts:

"In typical use, aklaline batteries will last up to 2 1/2 years"

"Troubleshooting: Low battery indicator: When the push button designated
for the "Ding-Dong" tone is pressed, only a "Dong" will play when battery
power is low in chime unit..."

"Regulatory Information: This device (WB-94A-TX or WB-97-TX/TR-6505-RX)
complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry Canada..."

"If you experience a problem, follow the guide. You may also want to visit
our Web site at www.desatech.com...."

If it's on 433.925Mhz, so are weather station remote sensors, which
will cause some interesting interference, especially since both use
OOK (on-off keying) for data.
Click to expand...
Interesting, but I haven't heard about any weather stations being
constructed around here lately.

If your unspecified model doorbell has a user programmable security
code, you might try changing it.

I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now.

Walk 80.0ft and talk to the neighbors. Have them bring their garage
door opener remote over to your house. Do some testing.

The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring;

Have you tested the batteries? If you don't have a tester or DVM to
measure them, just replace them and see if it fixes the problem.
Click to expand...
No, unfortunately I don't have a battery tester. I don't mind replacing
them but I thought I'd get some input about other possible problems first.

one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries.

Button cell batteries? They do have a part number.
Click to expand...
No, if I recall correctly they don't resemble a button, they're like a
really tiny "AA" battery. I'd probably have to buy them at Radio Shack.

It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

Do you have two receivers, one for single ring, and one for the
unspecified other ring?
Click to expand...
No, it's the same receiver, you differentiate between the two-tone and
single tone by placing small plastic "jumpers" in different locations.

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go low.

No. They tend to go comatose when the battery goes low. Range
decreases dramatically so it's unlikely that your neighbor is causing
more problems now. If this has been going on for several days, it's
unlikely to be a dying battery because it would have totally quit by
now with all the ringing.
Click to expand...
Okay, this is good to know.

The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.

Well, if the C batteries were originally new and good quality alkaline
cells, they should not be dead in 2 years unless you use the doorbell
excessively. My guess(tm) would be 1 to 5 years with good batteries,
and maybe a year or two with junk batteries. Get out the DVM and
measure the battery voltage for a clue. Anything under about 1.1VDC
is a near dead alkaline battery.
Click to expand...
They're pretty decent batteries, Duracell copper tops with a Mar 2014 date
on them.

I'm also going to follow "Bill"'s suggestion and inspect the back push
button unit; I live close to a heavily wooded area and I'm constantly
battling spiders and other insects outside the house.
 
On Oct 13, 7:22 pm, denni...@dennism3.invalid (Dennis M) wrote:
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells. The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own (no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank). I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now. The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring; one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries. It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go low.
The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.
Click to expand...
Easiest thing is to swap out the batteries and see. That's probably
it. I have a wireless extender that has the transmitter attached to
the existing bell ringer, and the remote speaker is plugged into an
outlet upstairs. I get sick of replacing batteries all over the
place, so I eliminate them whenever I can.

R
 
On Oct 13, 7:22 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:
On Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:22:09 -0500, denni...@dennism3.invalid (Dennis

M) wrote:
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells.

Ummm... yes.

The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own (no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank).

Any particular maker and model number?  Actually, what I would like is
the FCC ID number from either the remote or the receiver so I can
lookup the frequency.  It's usually 418MHz(EU), 433.925Mhz, 315MHz,
320MHz, 335MHz, 350MHz, 2400Mhz, etc.  The frequency might also be
inscribed on the device somewhere.

If it's on 433.925Mhz, so are weather station remote sensors, which
will cause some interesting interference, especially since both use
OOK (on-off keying) for data.

If your unspecified model doorbell has a user programmable security
code, you might try changing it.

I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now.

Walk 80.0ft and talk to the neighbors.  Have them bring their garage
door opener remote over to your house.  Do some testing.

The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring;

Have you tested the batteries?  If you don't have a tester or DVM to
measure them, just replace them and see if it fixes the problem.

one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries.

Button cell batteries?  They do have a part number.

It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

Do you have two receivers, one for single ring, and one for the
unspecified other ring?  

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go low.

No.  They tend to go comatose when the battery goes low.  Range
decreases dramatically so it's unlikely that your neighbor is causing
more problems now.  If this has been going on for several days, it's
unlikely to be a dying battery because it would have totally quit by
now with all the ringing.

The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.

Well, if the C batteries were originally new and good quality alkaline
cells, they should not be dead in 2 years unless you use the doorbell
excessively.  My guess(tm) would be 1 to 5 years with good batteries,
and maybe a year or two with junk batteries.  Get out the DVM and
measure the battery voltage for a clue.  Anything under about 1.1VDC
is a near dead alkaline battery.

--
Jeff Liebermann     je...@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558
Click to expand...
I would replace them if they are under 1.3 V.
 
Hiding in the book, often is the instruction that the cheap
junk carbon battery is for testing and shipping, you're
expected to install an alkalline battery when you install
the detector. And once a year, ever after.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"WW" <ccco@nospambresnan.net> wrote in message
news:KdCdnRoDPeWIuEjXnZ2dnUVZ_j2dnZ2d@bresnan.com...


Had same problem today with a carbon monoxide alert. Uses 9
volt battery.
Low battery light did not come on but monoxide alert
triped.. Checked
battery ( carbon battery 2 years and 10 months old) Read
7.19 volts. Changed
battery. Problem solved. Called manufacture, they recomended
alkaline
batteries. I shall purchase one. WW
 
I've seen that kind of thing. It may very well be a 12
(twelve) volt battery. Those are used in doorbell remotes,
and I can't remember why. Probably to suck more money out of
your pocket.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Dennis M" <dennism3@dennism3.invalid> wrote in message
news:dennism3-ya02408000R1310092019290001@news.datemas.de...

No, if I recall correctly they don't resemble a button,
they're like a
really tiny "AA" battery. I'd probably have to buy them at
Radio Shack.
 
On Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:19:29 -0500, dennism3@dennism3.invalid (Dennis
M) wrote:

Any particular maker and model number? Actually, what I would like is
the FCC ID number from either the remote or the receiver so I can
lookup the frequency. It's usually 418MHz(EU), 433.925Mhz, 315MHz,
320MHz, 335MHz, 350MHz, 2400Mhz, etc. The frequency might also be
inscribed on the device somewhere.

It is a Heath/Zenith Wireless Mechanical Battery Operated Chime,
manufactured by Desa Specialty Products of Bowling Green, Ky.
On the back the only thing that looks like a model number is "TR-6505-RX."
For some reason it also says "Canada: 3984 104 559A."
Click to expand...
Canada has the CRTC equivalent of the US FCC.
<http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/statutes-lois.htm>

Manual online:
<www.trineonline.com/interior/support/235%20inst%208-14.pdf>
Looks like you have 7 jumpers to program the code. Try a different
combination in both the receiver and the remote (just in case someone
else has a similar model). Incidentally, one manufacturer of garage
door openers ships their units defaulted to the code used for
production testing. Buyers are not in the habit of changing the code,
so code duplications were epidemic. If you called the dealer, the
first thing they would suggest is "change the code".

But luckily I kept the manual. Some relevant excerpts:

"In typical use, aklaline batteries will last up to 2 1/2 years"
Click to expand...
That should be a clue. Are you a "typical" user?

"Troubleshooting: Low battery indicator: When the push button designated
for the "Ding-Dong" tone is pressed, only a "Dong" will play when battery
power is low in chime unit..."
Click to expand...
Nice. There's your built in battery tester.

"Regulatory Information: This device (WB-94A-TX or WB-97-TX/TR-6505-RX)
complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry Canada..."
Click to expand...
Not exactly legal. The serial number tags are suppose to show the FCC
ID number. I tried various combinations of model number and company
names on the FCC ID site and couldn't find anything. I'm too lazy to
dig under the hundreds of Heath and Zenith products.

"If you experience a problem, follow the guide. You may also want to visit
our Web site at www.desatech.com...."
Click to expand...
Useless. Their manual search forwards to a Google web search.

If it's on 433.925Mhz, so are weather station remote sensors, which
will cause some interesting interference, especially since both use
OOK (on-off keying) for data.

Interesting, but I haven't heard about any weather stations being
constructed around here lately.
Click to expand...
It's not just weather stations. It's any kind or thermometer that
uses wireless for communications. Most of them are on 433.925Mhz.
Also remotes for air conditioners, room lighting, door locks, vehicle
alarms, vehicle keys, SCADA systems, and mess of other gadgets that
involve key fobs and very low speed/thruput wireless data. Just enter
"433.925" into a Google search for some hints.

No, unfortunately I don't have a battery tester. I don't mind replacing
them but I thought I'd get some input about other possible problems first.
Click to expand...
Well, the built in battery tester (one ding instead of two) should be
sufficient to test the batteries. DVM's (digital volt meter) start at
about $5 and are quite handy.

Button cell batteries? They do have a part number.

No, if I recall correctly they don't resemble a button, they're like a
really tiny "AA" battery. I'd probably have to buy them at Radio Shack.
Click to expand...
A-23 12V "alarm" battery. Something like this:
<http://www.batteryprice.com/sizea2312vbattery.aspx>
and available at any hardware store. However, the remote is probably
not the problem as a dead battery would result in no operation. There
is one really remote possibility that I've never actually seen. Water
condenses inside the remote and causes it to falsely activate. Remove
the doorbell and see if it's wet inside.

It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

Do you have two receivers, one for single ring, and one for the
unspecified other ring?

No, it's the same receiver, you differentiate between the two-tone and
single tone by placing small plastic "jumpers" in different locations.
Click to expand...
I have no idea why it would fail to ring once, but ring correctly
twice, unless the distance or power output between the two doorbell
remotes is radically different. A slightly dead battery on the
receiver would cause the one that's furthest away to possibly fail.
However, I can't tell from your description what you mean by "acting
up". If it falses with two rings instead of one, it's probably just
coincidence controlled by whatever is falsing the receiver.

They're pretty decent batteries, Duracell copper tops with a Mar 2014 date
on them.
Click to expand...
I'm not a big fan of Duracell batteries. See:
<http://www.powerstream.com/AA-tests.htm>
Note the Duracell Coppertop (DC) discharge curve and capacity are far
from the best (for AA cells). I've seen similar lack of capacity
problems using a West Mountain Radio CBA-II battery tester:
<http://www.westmountainradio.com/CBA.htm>
Current favorites (for AA) are cheapo Kirkland cells found at Costco.
However, they don't sell these in C size.

I'm also going to follow "Bill"'s suggestion and inspect the back push
button unit; I live close to a heavily wooded area and I'm constantly
battling spiders and other insects outside the house.
Click to expand...
Good idea. I'm betting on water instead of spiders or bugs. Alcohol
does a good job of dissolving bug goo and displacing the water. While
your at it, change the code anyway.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
On Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:12:27 -0700 (PDT), "hr(bob) hofmann@att.net"
<hrhofmann@att.net> wrote:

I would replace them if they are under 1.3 V.
Click to expand...
See:
<http://www.powerstream.com/AA-tests.htm>
If you look at the 4th graph (100ma discharge curve), the battery
still has plenty of life left at 1.3VDC and hits the knee at about 1.1
volts. (I'm assuming that a C cell has a similar discharge curve). My
tinkering with various designs and contrivances have found that many
devices will operate somewhat below 1.0VDC/cell. It's just that the
battery is well down the knee of the curve at 1.0V and simply goes
instantly flat. I've run AM/FM/SW radios with one cell jumpered and
the radio still works.

I'll stay with my 1.1VDC/cell recommendation for alkaline cells.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:m9bad5l68mh8jh9jbe1cdlufqem3fs6f9c@4ax.com...

It's not just weather stations. It's any kind or thermometer that
uses wireless for communications. Most of them are on 433.925Mhz.
Also remotes for air conditioners, room lighting, door locks, vehicle
alarms, vehicle keys, SCADA systems, and mess of other gadgets that
involve key fobs and very low speed/thruput wireless data. Just enter
"433.925" into a Google search for some hints.
Click to expand...
Also add "ham radio" to that list. 420-450 mHz is a popular ham radio band.

The same 420-450 mHz band is where the US Air Force's "Pave PAWS" radars
operate; they have a range of over 3,000 miles. Located at Otis AFB, MA,
Beale AFB, CA and Clear AFS, AK, these radar beams extend out over the
ocean, primarily.

And, does the OP's house have metal siding? Metal siding greatly reduces
the penetration of the transmitter signal to the inside the house. I had
steel siding at the old place & this one; the old place had wireless
doorbells that didn't always work, even with new batteries. This place has
wired doorbells that always work.

The OP's remedy is to install wired doorbells.
 
In article <m9bad5l68mh8jh9jbe1cdlufqem3fs6f9c@4ax.com>, Jeff Liebermann
<jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:

Good idea. I'm betting on water instead of spiders or bugs. Alcohol
does a good job of dissolving bug goo and displacing the water. While
your at it, change the code anyway.
Click to expand...
I think I'll clean out the back door push button and try some fresh "C"
batteries in the receiver before I start fooling around with the code. I
appreciate your diligent input Jeff.
 
In article <FdGdnWfYN4PD20jXnZ2dnUVZ_hGdnZ2d@bresnan.com>, "Bob M."
<no@nospam.com> wrote:

And, does the OP's house have metal siding? Metal siding greatly reduces
the penetration of the transmitter signal to the inside the house. I had
steel siding at the old place & this one; the old place had wireless
doorbells that didn't always work, even with new batteries. This place has
wired doorbells that always work.
Click to expand...
No I don't have metal siding, I have a brick house (with a little vinyl
siding on the top part of the front) but the push buttons are mounted on
aluminum door frames. The signal from the back push button has to travel
about 25' to the receiver, and the front one only 11'.

The OP's remedy is to install wired doorbells.
Click to expand...
Nah, it wouldn't be worth the bother/expense, I rarely get any visitors
anyway. :)

Actually the wireless solution has worked fine for two years, I'd just buy
a completely new unit if this one has gone on the fritz instead of putting
a wired one in.
 
Dennis M wrote:
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells. The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own (no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank). I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now. The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring; one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries. It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go low.
The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.
Click to expand...

Change the code. Someone close by got a new one and like you left it at
the factory settings.
 
In message <FdGdnWfYN4PD20jXnZ2dnUVZ_hGdnZ2d@bresnan.com>, Bob M.
<no@nospam.com> writes
"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:m9bad5l68mh8jh9jbe1cdlufqem3fs6f9c@4ax.com...


It's not just weather stations. It's any kind or thermometer that
uses wireless for communications. Most of them are on 433.925Mhz.
Also remotes for air conditioners, room lighting, door locks, vehicle
alarms, vehicle keys, SCADA systems, and mess of other gadgets that
involve key fobs and very low speed/thruput wireless data. Just enter
"433.925" into a Google search for some hints.

Also add "ham radio" to that list. 420-450 mHz is a popular ham radio band.

The same 420-450 mHz band is where the US Air Force's "Pave PAWS"
radars operate; they have a range of over 3,000 miles. Located at Otis
AFB, MA, Beale AFB, CA and Clear AFS, AK, these radar beams extend out
over the ocean, primarily.

And, does the OP's house have metal siding? Metal siding greatly
reduces the penetration of the transmitter signal to the inside the
house. I had steel siding at the old place & this one; the old place
had wireless doorbells that didn't always work, even with new
batteries. This place has wired doorbells that always work.

The OP's remedy is to install wired doorbells.
Click to expand...
Don't forget that these wireless devices are "made to a price". They
usually employ the minimum amount of circuitry which enables them to
function. They may respond to an RF signal on almost ANY frequency,
provided it is strong enough. It doesn't have to have the correct coding
etc.

Of course, 'electronic' wired devices (even those where no 'frequency'
is involved) also can also suffer from RF interference. But a purely
'electrical' device - like a doorbell - should be OK.
--
Ian
 
Tony wrote:
Dennis M wrote:
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells. The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own
(no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank). I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now. The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring; one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries. It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go
low.
The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.


Change the code. Someone close by got a new one and like you left it at
the factory settings.
Click to expand...
That was about what I was going to recommend. I had a wireless for a
few years, but gave up. I would change the code and it would work
for a while, then I would start getting it ringing in the middle of
the night again. I finally gave up and put in a new wired one.

Bill
 
In article <5%jBm.66498$bP1.24974@newsfe24.iad>, BillGill <billnews2@cox.net> wrote:
Tony wrote:
Dennis M wrote:
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells. The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own
(no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank). I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now. The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring; one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries. It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

I'm wondering if wireless doorbells are like smoke detectors, in that
they'll start ringing out of the blue when their batteries start to go
low.
The batteries have been in the main unit for about two years now, also
about the same for the actual doorbells.


Change the code. Someone close by got a new one and like you left it at
the factory settings.

That was about what I was going to recommend. I had a wireless for a
few years, but gave up. I would change the code and it would work
for a while, then I would start getting it ringing in the middle of
the night again. I finally gave up and put in a new wired one.

Bill
Click to expand...

I had one at the old house, except I wired it to the mailbox.

It worked great. I did it mostly for my father.
My father passed, and I was remodling the house.
The was a couple times I did hear the chimes go
off, thinking abut the problem of interference.
One day I get the transmitter and look outside
and pressed the button. Sure enough a neighbor up the street
came out the front door. A good while later
I was at the neighbors house and talking led to the doorbell.
She told be for a year or two they heard the doorbell go off
almost every day and would look outside. Every time
the mailman would be comming up the street and they would wait
for their mail. I explained everything and it was funny.

greg
 
"Dennis M" <dennism3@dennism3.invalid> wrote in message
news:dennism3-ya02408000R1310091822090001@news.datemas.de...
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless doorbells. The
last couple of days mine has been ringing a couple of times on its own
(no,
it isn't a pre-Halloween prank). I have some neighbors about 80 feet away
who have an electronic garage door opener, but there's a wooded area
between us and I don't think this could be causing it because it hasn't
happened until now. The main unit inside uses 4 "C" batteries, then the
actual doorbells (one on the front that has a two-tone ring; one on the
back that has a single ring) use some kind of weird tiny batteries. It's
the single ring doorbell that's been acting up, so maybe that's where the
actual problem is.

First, does anybody else hear the ringing?
Click to expand...
Mike :)
 
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