I have a Deaf Doorbell pre-installed at my apartment. It is recessed inside the outer wall like a light switch or outlet fixture. Before I buy either a Wyze Video Doorbell or a Wyze Video Doorbell Pro, I’d like some help to figure out how I should plan to mount either doorbell product to the installation that already exists.
The protective plate for my current doorbell is quite large, like a light switch plate. Is there anything for either Wyze doorbell product that would completely cover the recessed area so as to prevent rain and bugs from getting inside the wall?
Also, is there anything to indicate that either doorbell wouldn’t work for me?
The current setup is connected to buzzers and strobes inside the apartment (wired similarly to a traditional “chime”), it has a similar sound and appearance as a fire alarm at a newer school or hospital. A brief tap only executes the sound. Holding down the button for 5 seconds gives both the sound and starts the strobe lights.
I’m not terribly concerned with retaining functionality of the buzzers and strobes for myself since I have Wyze smart bulbs that can be set to blink when a Wyze doorbell is used. But, for the sake of the Deaf and Auditory Processing Disorder communities, I would like to leave that question on the table of whether that original “chime” functionality (buzzers & strobes) can be retained as well (especially since the Wyze bulbs are repeatedly disconnecting from the network since last update).
My primary objectives are:
-To have a doorbell with video functionality for the purpose of screening visitors and monitoring deliveries
-To have a secure mount so the doorbell won’t (easily) get ripped off the wall by a random stranger
I’m also open to suggestions of compatible no-drill renter-friendly anti-theft mounts for the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro if it makes more sense just to go with that. (I haven’t had any luck finding anything online for an apartment that explicitly supports the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro).
I apologize to admin for posting this here, I couldn’t find a clear place to post an accessibility question or even a general doorbell chat.
If you attach either of the Wyze doorbells to the power wires you have on the current push button, all the strobes and buzzers connected in series with those power wires will be on 100% of the time.
The button you have there is a momentary button. The moment it is pressed and held, the power circuit is connected and closed so that power coming in on one wire is then connected to the exit neutral wire to continue on to your wired buzzers and strobes.
The Wyze Doorbells are continuously powered devices. That power circuit is always closed to power the cam. The push button on the Wyze doorbell does not have active control over the opening and closing of the power circuit. That is why they cannot be used with an existing chime. They have no momentary switch capability.
You may be able to activate the existing buzzers and strobes by plugging them into a Wyze Plug to turn on when the doorbell is pressed. Unfortunately the minimum time for this is 1 minute.
As for mounting, I would suggest replacing the plate and button with a solid plate, drilling a small hole for the wires, and then mounting the Wyze Doorbell to the plate. Just make sure to check the overall dimensions of the Pro doorbell to be sure it isn’t too tall for the recessed box opening. The VDBv1 should fit though.
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Oh wow, thank you for that insight. My dogs and I would have been miserable with the buzzers and strobes on continuously!
So I’m guessing this means that VDBv1 is ruled out entirely as an option for us? I haven’t dismantled the buzzers and strobes to explore them yet but on first glance they seem to be hardwired into the apartment, no visible outlet or cord for a Wyze Plug adapter for them.
I’ll look up the dimensions of the Pro doorbell to see if it’ll fit the recess. I have a feeling this is all going to circle back to an endless search for a renter friendly door mount, though.
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Using the existing power to the current push button is not going to be possible without some extensive rewiring. And, since it is a rental, that is probably not feasible.
The VDBPro is probably going to be the better option since it doesn’t require power wires and will run on battery needing ocasionaly recharged using a USB.
Most of the renter friendly doorbell mounts I have seen are the kind that attach by a clamp on the edge of the door.
One thing you can do that won’t cause any material distruction, if you want to mount it where the push button is and you don’t mind not using the buzzers, would be to purchase a metal outlet cover that is solid (no holes cut, just the two screw holes). The momentary button can be unwired, the two wires capped seperately (don’t touch the red one to anything before capping it) and taped, and the button and plate removed and saved. Tuck the capped and taped wires up into the box.
Then mount the new solid cover. You can then use a drill to place pilot holes to screw mount your new Wyze Video Doorbell Pro mounting plate to your new cover.
If\when you move out, take the Wyze doorbell w\ your cover with you and put the button cover back on w\ the wires reattached.
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That would have been great if the original video doorbell would have worked for me. Unfortunately it seems that the recess is only 5 inches tall and the doorbell Pro is 5.5 inches tall, so that’s out.
Has anyone found an anti-theft door mount that’s big enough for the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro without blocking its sensors? Most of them only measure big enough for Ring or Blink as it is.
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I have a wall mounted VDBv1, so I have never messed with a mount box.
How deep is the box? They sell 1\2 inch electrical box extender\spacers at Home Depot that will bring the box out farther, possibly to where it can be flush w\ the wall. Not sure if they can stack or if they make one deep enough for your recessed box.
Hopefully some other users will post in with some suggested mount boxes. Good Luck! 
