Doorbell hum

[digitalbeachbum]

I installed an AD110 recently and was able to get it working after purchasing a new doorbell transformer.
I checked the output of the transformer at 16.2 volts, which was steady.
I checked the connections to the mechanical doorbell, and the wires at the front door.
I installed the digital doorbell ringer to test out the rings, but the family didn't like it and I went back to mechanical

However, I noticed the mechanical doorbell humming.
It isn't ringing, it's just humming.
I ended up taking the cover off because it was louder with it on, than off.

Could it be that this old mechanical door bell isn't compatible with the Amcrest doorbell? or maybe the new transformer? The voltage is normal and within the range suggested.

[Revo2Maxx]

Couple of things to check...

Some doorbells are 10vac some are 16vac and some are 24vac another factor is VA most are 10 some are 20va and them 2 numbers are most important for your doorbell..

Another thing is that you PLEASE be sure to make sure the Supply is AC and not DC because they are 2 different type of power and while the camera I don't know only guessing might with with DC power supply the doorbell wouldn't because it is looking for AC voltage...

Next and another thing while this mostly would impact your camera not the doorbell but make sure that there is enough Ac power for your doorbell and the camera... Also make sure you are using the Chime KIT that came with the camera...

Maybe post some pictures of the items in question...

ReCap...

Power supply (Transformer AC Voltage with in range for the doorbell needs to be 16vac to 24vac for the Camera)
Use the Chime Kit that came with the Camera
Wire from transformer to doorbell and camera should be good wire if very long should be no less then 18awg if smaller (Larger number like 22 or 24awg or ga then it really should be upgraded) over distance of 40 to 50 feet or more larger wiring is better...

You can take the Wires off the camera and test the doorbell to see if it works without the camera in place as a test... I am guessing that the voltage is to high for the doorbell...

[digitalbeachbum]

The mechanical door bell is a Model KB-10. I checked this online and it appears that the company that made it is either no longer around or they got bought out.

The transformer is a Class 2, 120v/60Hz input, 16vac/30va

So what you are saying is don't hook up the mechanical and wire it directly to the doorbell kit?

[amcrest168]

hi @digitalbeachbum and welcome to the forum. hmm... i think you should check the wiring diagram because the humming could suggest a problem with the wiring diagram. i also have a mechanical chime and i know it will hum if its wiring diagram is wrong. i know this because i had to remove my existing mechanical chime and cut out a small portion of its plastic chassis so i can neatly hide the included amcrest chime kit inside the door chime cover. i had a wiring mix up when i first put it back that resulted in the chime humming until i corrected the wiring.

[digitalbeachbum]

hi @digitalbeachbum and welcome to the forum. hmm... i think you should check the wiring diagram because the humming could suggest a problem with the wiring diagram. i also have a mechanical chime and i know it will hum if its wiring diagram is wrong. i know this because i had to remove my existing mechanical chime and cut out a small portion of its plastic chassis so i can neatly hide the included amcrest chime kit inside the door chime cover. i had a wiring mix up when i first put it back that resulted in the chime humming until i corrected the wiring.

I didn't do anything different. The mechanical chime is wired as it was previously.

[Revo2Maxx]

So what I would do is While it might be a PITA please remove the Doorbell camera and touch the 2 wires together and make sure that your NuTone KB-10 is still actively working right... It may cause a small spark but nothing to worry about unless you have a gas leak or something waiting for flame...

Sadly it is hard to tell what is going on without seeing the install first hand.. I have owned a Ka-10 and the KB-10 and only one ever hummed was the Ka-10 when the plunger got stuck.. a couple of things I would try...

One move the connection to the back door pegs and see if it still hums... Sorry it has been a while since I have seen the 2 doorbells so I can't remember if they were front and back I am sure they were... Anyway the other thing I would do is test the doorbell without the camera installed to make sure it is working as it would if connected to a button..

Also CHIME kit installs on the doorbell T and F pins along with the 1 wire for the camera and the other wire for the Transformer... T wire goes to Transformer, F wire goes to one side of the doorbell camera the other wire form the camera goes to the Transformer however that wire should have already been run when using the normal button that was there before...

However if the wires were to small or damaged in installing the system this can make things not work well also..

[digitalbeachbum]

2020-07-06 17.13.07.jpg (2.23 MiB) Viewed 2243 times

[amcrest168]

hi @digitalbeachbum, the picture you shared should be the 'before' wiring diagram--before the ad110 installation. can you show a picture with the amcrest chime kit installed on the chime? the included amcrest chime kit must be connected to the mechanical chime for it to work properly.

[digitalbeachbum]

hi @digitalbeachbum, the picture you shared should be the 'before' wiring diagram--before the ad110 installation. can you show a picture with the amcrest chime kit installed on the chime? the included amcrest chime kit must be connected to the mechanical chime for it to work properly.

Do I need the chime kit if I'm not going to use it?

[Revo2Maxx]

The CHIME kit is needed for the camera to work right... There is no chime in it it is called Chime kit because it is a Circuit that goes on the Doorbell unit or chime unit inside the house... But yes the Chime Kit needs to be used even without using a doorbell..