TROUBLESHOOTING/FAQ
Doorbell Chimes and Push Buttons
Do your wired chimes work with Video Doorbells Like RING?
Customers have mentioned that our wired door chimes work with their video doorbell, but we cannot guarantee that.
Why is my chime making a buzzing/humming sound or not making a sound at all?
A mechanical chime will buzz if it is continuously energized. The issue could be with the chime, doorbell button, transformer and/or wiring. Try the following:
1. Remove the doorbell button and briefly touch the wires. If the doorbell rings, then the button needs to be replaced/looked at. The button could be stuck or there is a short in the wiring. If the push button(s) are removed and the buzzing continues, the wiring will likely need to be replaced. It is also possible that the wrong wires are connected to the chime.
*If the chime that you are replacing is a digital chime (plays a melody; has a speaker for the sound), the diode in the doorbell button wire will need to be removed.
2. Test the transformer (16V transformer is needed) with a voltage meter. If the transformer is producing less than 16 volts when the chime is playing or less than 18 volts when the chime is NOT playing, then the transformer needs to be replaced. Also, if you are using a smart doorbell like Ring Pro, then a stronger transformer such as 16V/30VA is needed compared to a standard 16V/10VA transformer (please note that customers have mentioned that the door chime works with their smart doorbell, but we cannot guarantee that).
3. Use a voltage meter to test the chime. If there is current after the doorbell button is pushed, but the chime doesn’t ring, then the chime needs to be replaced. If there is no current, then the wiring is bad.
Why does my wired chime only play one note for the front push button?
The transformer may not be getting sufficient power to allow the plunger to hit both tone bars. Test your transformer (16 Volt required) by testing it with a voltmeter. Voltage should read between 18 - 22 volts A/C on the low voltage side of the transformer when chime is NOT playing. If the voltmeter reads below 18 volts when the chime is NOT playing or below 16 volts when the chime IS playing, replace the transformer.
This is also the case for a 2-chime setup. A 16V/15VA or a 16V/30VA (easier to find for purchase) transformer is needed because each ADDITIONAL chime needs 5VA each, so at least 15VA for both chimes. This refers to connecting the chimes and transformer to regular doorbell buttons (not video doorbell buttons).
Why does only my front push button make the chime ring?
This is most likely being caused by the doorbell chime wiring being incorrectly. Switch the wires that are at the “Front” and “Trans” connections.
Why does only my rear push button make the chime ring?
This is most likely being caused by the doorbell chime wiring being incorrectly. Switch the wires that are at the “Rear” and “Trans” connections.
What is the cushion piece above one of the plungers?
The cushion is there to block one of the solenoids (the piece circled in red in the image below is the solenoid) from hitting the upper chime, allowing you to be able to differentiate between the two-note ring of the front doorbell and the one-note ring of the rear doorbell.
Is there a volume control on your chimes?
There isn't a volume control on our wired chime models CHM1, CHM2, CHM3D, CHM4 and CHM24V.
Replacing the transformer (if it is old) may help, but this is not guaranteed.
You may also consider using a doorbell extender (we do not sell this), which allows you to keep the same wired doorbell push button outside your home and the same wired doorbell in your home.
Another option is using a digital doorbell chime (plays a melody; has a speaker for the sound), which most customers say is loud enough for their home.
Why is my Door chime ringing by itself?
There may be a short in the wires (frayed insulation), in which case the wiring may need to be replaced, or one of the connections may be loose. Another common cause is a sticking button due to dirt or debris trapped inside.
Test the button by pressing and releasing to feel if it sticks, or by disconnecting one of the two wires that that are connected to the button while leaving the rest of the system intact (turn power off before disconnecting, then back on after disconnecting) and listening to see if it still randomly chimes. If it doesn’t, then the doorbell button will need to be replaced/looked at.
If the chime is still ringing, then there may be a short in the push button wiring. Turn off the power again and check the wires for any exposed areas (bare wires rubbing together can cause this) and cover them in electrical tape.
Transformers
Can a 24V transformer be used on a 16V Chime?
This may work for a short while, but we do not recommend this as the doorbell and/or chime can wear out.
Doorbell Transformers normally work on voltages that are up to 20% greater than their specified voltage. Applying this to our 16V doorbell chimes, it should function on voltages high as 19.2V.
Why is my transformer showing output over the VAC (voltage is reading more than 16V)?
An 8-22V reading for a 16V transformer is normal if this is measuring output voltage on any open circuit with no load (doorbell button is not pressed). 16V transformers are rated at 16VAC under a full load (doorbell button is pressed).