Long story short, I bought a Wyze video doorbell and was planning on using the existing doorbell wiring because this model needs to be hardwired to 16-24V. They currently do not have a battery powered model, it’s still in the works I guess.

My doorbell wire is ancient, cloth covered and looked kind of ragged so I bought some 18/2 thermostat wire and was going to use the old wire to pull the new wire in through the door frame, I wrapped that wire really tightly and taped it really well and started pulling and the damn thing came off and I ended up with the old wire out and no new wire in.

So that is out. I’m not taking the door frame apart to get a wire in there, I’ll just go wireless.

I’ve set up a return for the Wyze to Amazon, and I’m looking at the best wireless doorbells, it sounds like Arlo is highly rated.

Does anyone have an Arlo? I’m curious as to where you mount these things, right where the old doorbell button was? Or should I go to a new location a little higher?

I have an Arlo doorbell mounted where the old one was located. It has been installed, along with their cameras, for approximately nine months with no issues. Very pleased!

I have an Arlo video doorbell. It works fine, I have no complaints, except that (unlike the Arlo Ultra cameras) it is not Apple HomeKit compatible; but that turns out to be a nonissue.

I mounted the camera where the original doorbell button was. The camera includes a canted mounting plate to angle the camera more towards the door. Once installed, one needs the security tool (a small probe) to remove it from the plate.

The camera has a wide angle, almost fisheye lens, so it captures anything on the front porch. The software tells me is a package has been left.

I have 4 Arlo Ultra cameras up, and will be putting up 2 more. They have been working flawlessly for the better part of a year. I have to mute notifications when the landscapers are working outside.

The Ultra cameras and doorbell are all monitored through the Arlo app, and I pay a subscription fee to keep recordings for a period.

So far the doorbell has turned up a raccoon at 4 am, and the front yard camera two deer also in them middle of the night--in both cases much to the delight of our older granddaughter. When I put one up facing down the hill by the back fence, we will be sure to pick up coyotes and other nocturnal critters.

Does the battery really last 6 months? Seems too good to be true

Ring also makes a doorbell that runs off of battery, it's done well for us now that we upgraded to the Ring 3 model.


https://ring.com/products/video-doorbell-3

You could get a long metal rod and run it down the hole until it hits the area where you can see it through the front door bell access hole, tape up the new wires and pull it through, or, tape new electrical wires to a rod and run them down the hole to the doorbell access, hook them with a tool and pull out.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

Ring also makes a doorbell that runs off of battery, it's done well for us now that we upgraded to the Ring 3 model.

Did you previously have the Ring 2? If so, is the 3 really enough of an improvement to spend the $$ on? What changes have you noticed?

I have a Ring doorbell and I'm not happy with it.

I think it was an earlier model. Perhaps I need to get a new current model.

The issue is when someone is walking up to the door, as as FEDEX or UPS to place a box on my front porch, it will not start recording until they've turned around and are walking away.

If someone comes up to knock or ring the doorbell, it won't start until they are standing there and I can't see their face.

This assumes are person walks quickly enough, if they just amble up slowly it will wake up and start recording so I can see their face.

I have not been able to resolve this issue.

Mine runs on a battery and so far I've only had to recharge it a couple of times, it seems to run about 9 months or so before it wants recharging. That part is ok.
.

Gene --

Have you played with the settings that tune the motion detection?

From your description, it sounds as if the motion detection zone might be too close; you can move it out further.

Depending on your location it might be a delicate balancing act.

If I make mine too sensitive, extending the motion detection zone further out, I start to get false alerts from cars driving past, or people walking their dogs on the street.

^^^^^ Yes I have done that.

I think I just simply have a lemon.

It does work, but not quite how I think it should.

I think I'll upgrade soon.

Thanks!

We have a doorbell 2 from ring at family property. We installed the battery operated option with the solar charger add on. The battery lasts around 4 months through the summer. I recharged it around the end of November and I just recharged the battery after the last month in the cold. I expect to repeat the recharge once a month until it warms up over 40°F. I'm considering wiring in a doorbell power system to get around the recharging.

We're are going on 2 years now. It can be slow on the trigger. We have a lot of wildlife in the yard. Deer can walk through without triggering it unless they make a sudden move. Flocks of turkeys can walk through and not trigger it unless they flap a wing. Cars and people will trigger it as expected, but it does have a delay between the trigger and record.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DanPatWork,

The Arlo doorbell runs off the 24 volt wiring to the original doorbell. I did install a new transformer prior to installing the Arlo.