Door Bell

Topic: Door Bell (Read 1278 times) previous topic - next topic

Door Bell

June 01, 2020, 09:06:36 pm

U270 has a door bell. Don't appear to be working. Where is it located inside?

Re: Door Bell

Reply #1 – June 01, 2020, 09:11:32 pm

What year coach? Check the cabinet right behind the entrance door if not there check some more cabinets on that same side between the door and the galley.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #2 – June 01, 2020, 09:15:35 pm

AND, strong suggestion, DISCONNECT IT. If the button fails in the closed condition (like gets water in it) the solenoid activating the "dinger" stays activated. It can overheat to the point that it melts the housing, and I guess, under extreme conditions could start a fire.

Can't imagine needing a door bell in a 36 or 40' coach.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #3 – June 01, 2020, 10:04:03 pm

Mine had the box melt and the PO put in a wireless one.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #4 – June 01, 2020, 11:07:09 pm

Yikes. Mine works great, hate to disconnect it. Is the solenoid in the bell box?

Re: Door Bell

Reply #5 – June 01, 2020, 11:22:05 pm

Quote from: dans96u295ft – June 01, 2020, 11:07:09 pm

Yikes. Mine works great, hate to disconnect it. Is the solenoid in the bell box?

It is more like a coil than a solenoid and it is in the box. Mine had 2 contacts so if one burned out you could switch the wires and go a second round.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #6 – June 02, 2020, 09:58:00 am

Here's what they can look like.
jor

Re: Door Bell

Reply #7 – June 02, 2020, 09:58:09 am

Yes, coil may be a better description than solenoid. The coil activates and pulls the plunger into the metal "chime".

If the door bell button shorts (easy from water intrusion-- they are NOT water proof) the coil stays energized 24/7 and overheats.

A very common issue.

JOR's pictures shows it all. Note the nice clean wiring of the door bell button-- a poster child for the issue.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #8 – June 02, 2020, 10:06:41 am

WOW! Do you just pop the button out? I'll check it

Re: Door Bell

Reply #9 – June 02, 2020, 10:08:43 am

Took mine out. Who needs it? A knock on the window works just as well. My button wasn't that bad through.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #10 – June 02, 2020, 10:10:41 am

Quote from: dans96u295ft – June 02, 2020, 10:06:41 am

WOW! Do you just pop the button out? I'll check it

Yes, but often the plastic is brittle and will crack. I use a feeler gauge to work under the edge to separate any caulk and start the button out from the side of the coach.

I believe they are just "regular" door bells from any box store. If someone has a source for more waterproof ones, that would be great.

A common solution is to find a blind plug the same size as the button-- again at any box store.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #11 – June 02, 2020, 10:26:06 am

The newer mechanism does not show an inline fuse
Nutone CECOMINOD007001 Door Bell Mechanism Assembly fits Most Chime Models,...

current button has "resistance to weather"
NuTone PB18WHCL NuTone PB18WHCL Decorative Doorbell Push Button - Doorbell...

Maybe stainless would be better than current Nutone plastic.
MTMTOOL Flat Round Cap Self-Locking Waterproof Metal Latching Push Button...

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Re: Door Bell

Reply #12 – June 02, 2020, 10:38:23 am

Not sure a fuse is the answer unless an undersized slow-burn fuse. This is speculation, as I just disconnect mine.

The current to power the coil to pull the plunger to ring the chime may not increase with time, though heat from the coil staying "hot" will.

Said another way, a fuse sized for "normal" pull in current may not protect against a melt down.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #13 – June 02, 2020, 10:45:54 am

I'll check it today and if good, silicone it. Thanks for the info

Re: Door Bell

Reply #14 – June 02, 2020, 11:05:19 am

Answer to what year, it's 1998. I agree a door bell seems unnecessary, but for whatever reason it was added when built.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #15 – June 02, 2020, 11:29:50 am

Went to Ace hardware store, bought a lighted button. Love it. Looks cool at night.

Yup, no one ever uses it, but me when showing off coach.

If it's there, I want it to work. Part of the restoration/customizing of the coach.

Maybe I am on an ego trip, goes along with my "Private Coach" stickers.

Have a switch to turn it off inside cabinet when not in use.

Not going to argue that it could start a fire, but never heard of one in all the years at FT.

It's powered by 12 volt DC, put a fuse on it, sure it has one already

Just put it in a metal box then if you are worried.

Chris

Re: Door Bell

Reply #16 – June 02, 2020, 11:35:23 am

Quote from: ALT – June 02, 2020, 11:05:19 am

Answer to what year, it's 1998. I agree a door bell seems unnecessary, but for whatever reason it was added when built.

The cool factor, as not many coach's had them. Newell and Prevost come to mind. We installed a wireless on our '98, but can't remember what brand. Purchased at the local HD at the time. Need to pick up one now for our '01 and it will be wireless as well. First thing we did was remove the door bell assembly that is located in the first cabinet behind the passenger seat.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #17 – June 02, 2020, 11:39:01 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – June 02, 2020, 10:38:23 am

Not sure a fuse is the answer unless an undersized slow-burn fuse. This is speculation, as I just disconnect mine.

The current to power the coil to pull the plunger to ring the chime may not increase with time, though heat from the coil staying "hot" will.

Said another way, a fuse sized for "normal" pull in current may not protect against a melt down.

I replaced mine 8 years ago and added a 3 amp fuse to the hot lead in the chime. It's worked fine ever since and just recently the light got wet from washing the coach, burned out and I will have to replace it. A Heath Zenith 455G-B fits perfectly. Just use some dielectric grease to help waterproof the connections. Test the fuse by holding the button in and replace. Buy the Heath/Zenith 455G Lighted Door Button, Gold Rim ~ 3/4" | Hardware World

Jerry

Re: Door Bell

Reply #18 – June 02, 2020, 03:25:14 pm

My coach never had a doorbell...I installed one like this last year...double sided tape of course. Doorbell, Waterproof Mini Wireless Doorbell 1, 000ft Range Loud Enough with...

Have game cameras I use sometimes too when dry camping, but they don't help at all with real time monitoring of critters or prowlers, so I ordered this...should be here Friday. Amazon.com: All-new Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) â€“ 1080p HD video, improved...

I don't have Alexa or Dot, and never will, but I do have wifi via Pepwave MaxBR1. Not sure if Ring will work without internet connection, but I'd rather it didn't have to be broadcast on the interwebs. I'll spin up a thread on how it works in a week or so.

FYI, Ring also has 2 way voice camera/monitors with motion activation that aren't door bells for same price. Host family here in the KOA has one mounted on their 5th wheel, and swears by it. Search Amazon for Ring Stick Up Camera...even a solar charged model.

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Re: Door Bell

Reply #19 – June 02, 2020, 05:34:03 pm

Yeah we have a ring at home. Pretty cool tech. This is what I replaced my doorbell switch with. Good trade imo.

Re: Door Bell

Reply #20 – June 02, 2020, 11:15:15 pm

Pulled the button out today. No corrosion. One terminal was rusty so I cleaned and placed silicone on the 2 terminals. Another potential problem learned.
Thanks!

Re: Door Bell

Reply #21 – June 03, 2020, 09:52:24 am

Quote from: dans96u295ft – June 02, 2020, 11:15:15 pm

Pulled the button out today. No corrosion. One terminal was rusty so I cleaned and placed silicone on the 2 terminals. Another potential problem learned.
Thanks!

I would never want to put silicone on electrical connections. Causes corrosion. I would use Dialectic grease....Just sayin

Chris

Re: Door Bell

Reply #22 – June 03, 2020, 10:04:26 am

Good to know. Thanks

Re: Door Bell

Reply #23 – June 05, 2020, 01:57:45 am

@Pyolet

Quote from: Pyolet – June 02, 2020, 03:25:14 pm

My coach never had a doorbell...I installed one like this last year...double sided tape of course. Doorbell, Waterproof Mini Wireless Doorbell 1, 000ft Range Loud Enough with...
Have game cameras I use sometimes too when dry camping, but they don't help at all with real time monitoring of critters or prowlers, so I ordered this...should be here Friday. Amazon.com: All-new Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) â€“ 1080p HD video, improved...

If you are like me (geeky) the Ring is a very cool addition to the coach. I ordered ours last Cyber Monday on a whim.
Since you don't have a hardwired doorbell, the easiest option would be just to stick the ring to the side of the coach and pull it off to charge it as needed. If you go this route, the easiest option is probably to use a Ring wifi chime. Amazon.com: Ring Chime, A Wi-Fi-Enabled Speaker for Your Ring Video Doorbell:...

For those with a hardwired doorbell, a couple of things to note that might not be self evident to everyone. In our coach, the doorbell chime was designed for 12V DC. Just about every other doorbell chime, as well as doorbell cameras, are NOT DC, they are usually 8 to 24V AC. If you are intending to replace your current doorbell button and wire it thru a chime so that it also provides power to the Ring camera, this will cause a problem.
From Ring's Specs Power: Can be hardwired to an existing doorbell system or transformer for continuous charging (8-24 VAC, 40 VA max, 50/60 Hz). If you want to hardwire it, you will likely need a new chime designed for AC voltage, and a 24V AC transformer.

Quote from: Pyolet – June 02, 2020, 03:25:14 pm

I don't have Alexa or Dot, and never will, but I do have wifi via Pepwave MaxBR1. Not sure if Ring will work without internet connection, but I'd rather it didn't have to be broadcast on the interwebs. I'll spin up a thread on how it works in a week or so.

Ring does require a fast always on internet connection. Without that it's pretty useless. I'm not saying it can't be hacked, to use locally, but that's way above most peoples abilities and it would render the app useless. (See second screen shot). If I didn't have a fast internet connection, I wouldn't have a ring doorbell or any other smart home device for that matter.
One of the things we like about it is being able to answer the "door" using our Alexa show. Which gives us live video (with 1-way audio) from the door almost instantly. Then we can turn on the 2-way audio to talk to who's at the door. Or we can ignore them. :))

Quote from: Pyolet – June 02, 2020, 03:25:14 pm

FYI, Ring also has 2 way voice camera/monitors with motion activation that aren't door bells for same price. Host family here in the KOA has one mounted on their 5th wheel, and swears by it. Search Amazon for Ring Stick Up Camera...even a solar charged model.

We have really enjoyed having the Ring doorbell camera, and use it more as a camera than a doorbell. To be able to check in on the coach (albeit the outside) from anywhere has been great on the few occasions when we have left the coach over night. One night we were staying at a friend's condo and knew storms were coming. We were literately able to watch the storm roll in on the camera. We were also able to check that the power was still on at the RV park, because the lights were still on at the boat dock, which we could see from the camera.

The unfortunate thing about the a doorbell/camera is that, very few people actually use it. Most people still knock. We had the same issue with the original doorbell. I don't think people expect to see a doorbell or doorbell camera on a motorhome, so they just knock without even thinking. However, you can always enable motion detection, but with only one door, you will trigger the motion detection every time you enter or leave.

One last thing, I think the Ring system is very good for what it is but I would NEVER have a RING branded device INSIDE my home. They are NOT difficult to hack with tons of tools available all over the internet. If someone hacks my camera, the most they are going to see is me sitting on the patio, the same thing they would see walking down the street.

P.S. Not sure which model of Pepwave MaxBR1 you have but if it's 2.4ghz only, you might not get the speed you need for 1080p video. Regardless of model, the following page explains a bit on testing your internet speed to be sure you get good results. Of course they assume your house is stationary. Ping rate and thru-put will vary greatly by location. How To: Test Device Wifi Speed - Ring Community

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Re: Door Bell

Reply #24 – June 11, 2020, 03:51:40 pm

I replaced my button and bell works fine. I have extra button it anyone needs one. Better than original. It's free.

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