Old Work Doorbell Question

[mkgrady]

I need to install a doorbell where there is no good place to put a transformer. This is an entry way to a home where there is no attic or basement. There is a receptacle right below where I woul put the bell switch (except on the outside of course). So that gives me an easy power source. The bell or chime can go directly above the receptacle. Now if I just had a place to install the transformer this would be an easy job.

Where I live, almost everybody has a basement or an attic to put the transformer. But there must be millions of places that have no attic or basements that have doorbells added. Where does the transformer go?

 

[augie47]

Our jurisdiction accepts a two-gang box as long as there is only (1) 120 volt line in the box but that is a local off-the-cuff rule. You can find a manufactured box that has a separator for the transformer and line voltage.
Can you cur one of these in where your outlet is ?

 

[ceb58]

Can you say wireless door bell unit.

 

[mkgrady]

Our jurisdiction accepts a two-gang box as long as there is only (1) 120 volt line in the box but that is a local off-the-cuff rule. You can find a manufactured box that has a separator for the transformer and line voltage.
Can you cur one of these in where your outlet is ?

Yes I could make the outlet a 2 gang. Are you meaning a two gang box with a divider between gangs? I just assumed they were only good for low voltage wiring connections. Have you seen transformers in these?

 

[mkgrady]

Can you say wireless door bell unit.

Yup, I can say it, but have you ever seen a good one? Ones I have seen look really cheap and don't seem to last, and changing the battery at the switch is a pain.

 

[ceb58]

Yup, I can say it, but have you ever seen a good one? Ones I have seen look really cheap and don't seem to last, and changing the battery at the switch is a pain.

Found a good one a Lowes. The receiver/chime plugs into a outlet so there are no batteries. The button has a small battery. I installed one at my mothers house 6 years ago and it is still working. Changed the button battery about 2 years ago. It came with 2 buttons on for the front door, one for the rear. The rear activates a different sounding chime from the front one.

 

[kbsparky]

Simple: Use a junction box transformer, and mount the chime over it!

 

[Fulthrotl]

Can you say wireless door bell unit.

wireless doorbell unit.

 

[John120/240]

Simple: Use a junction box transformer, and mount the chime over it!

To add to kbsparky's response Cut in two gang box over the recptacle at your desired height. Fish one 18-2 to button w/ red &

white on the button. At the chime red & white on the chime terminals. At X former 120 V power in. Both reds land on X frmr

terminals, both whites under one wire nut.

 

[kbsparky]

Only need a single gang box when installing the referenced transformer which is designed and listed for installation in a single gang box.

 

[John120/240]

Only need a single gang box when installing the referenced transformer which is designed and listed for installation in a single gang box.

Thanks for the info. Always just used the X frmr that came with the chime kit for this type of installation. It just seemed to fit better in a 2 gang

 

[busman]

Someone used to make a kit that included the chime, the transformer and the box that goes in the wall to mount the transformer behind the chime. I think I have one on the shelf at home. I'll try to check tonight.

Mark

 

[kwired]

Little dogs that bark at every sound they hear make great doorbells

 

[mkgrady]

Simple: Use a junction box transformer, and mount the chime over it!

Thanks KB. That is very helpful.

 

[mkgrady]

To add to kbsparky's response Cut in two gang box over the recptacle at your desired height. Fish one 18-2 to button w/ red &

white on the button. At the chime red & white on the chime terminals. At X former 120 V power in. Both reds land on X frmr

terminals, both whites under one wire nut.

There is a lot I do not know about wiring but I already know how to wire a doorbell...or are you just kidding around?

 

[Strathead]

In my house, the doorbell transformer is mounted surface above the electrical panel in the laundry/HVAC room

 

[kwired]

There is a lot I do not know about wiring but I already know how to wire a doorbell...or are you just kidding around?

sounds like it would work to me.

In my house, the doorbell transformer is mounted surface above the electrical panel in the laundry/HVAC room

That is where I prefer to put them. Right on a surface mounted panel, or a nearby surface mounted box if the panel is flush mounted. Why do you want to have to search all over the place for the transformer when on a service call for a non working doorbell? I try to put it somewhere where it will be real easy to find.

 

[billdozier 78]

shoot in my jurisdiction we just put it all in one 2 gang box. And that's on new roughs,with 2 or more lines in the box. Dope:dunce: