So I recently had a video doorbell V2 fail (which Wyze was kind enough to replace under warranty). I went ahead and ordered a Duo Cam Doorbell at the same time and installed it instead. After about a week, it’s locked up and needed to be reset.
My original idea was to put a Zwave relay in to break the 20 VAC going to the doorbell, to reset it, however the Duo Cam has a battery in it. I tried removing the battery (hoping to run strictly on the line power), however it doesn’t run without the battery inserted.
So how to I reset this camera when it goes wonky? Is my only option to go pull it off the wall, disconnect power, and remove the battery?
Appreciate the information. Kind of confirming what I was afraid of.
Which is annoying. I think I’m going to go back to the V2 doorbell so I have an easy way to reset the thing.
Kind of a mis-step for few reasons. One those batteries will just go bad from never being used. Two this reason, there is no way to reset the thing. I’m not saying Wyze products are necessarily bad, but lets face it, asking them to run 24/7 is also a tall order. Occasionally there will be a hiccup and things need reset. Having no way to do that is an oops. Only having a reset in the app, is not acceptable, as usually once things “need” reset, you can’t communicate with it.
I don’t even have a Duo Cam doorbell (I like my Video Doorbell v2), but I’d also be annoyed by this situation, because the lack of a user-accessible hardware reset seems like an oversight.
I think it’s the opposite in this situation and that the battery is constantly being used because of the way it’s required for the doorbell to function even when wired. I think wiring it to low-voltage AC is mostly a means to provide power to continuously recharge the battery and connect the doorbell to an installed compatible chime box (if available) on the same circuit. It seems like it shouldn’t really be necessary to have the battery in place to use the device, though. That strikes me as another questionable design choice.
Its being charged constantly and kept at a 100% charge. That’s not really healthy for the battery. I know most some battery pack manufacturers actually recommend discharging the packs once a month minimum.
Similar to how a laptop that’s spent its entire life plugged in will often have a bad battery in it. Batteries need to be used / exercised.
Yeah, I’m aware of that. I’m just saying that my understanding is that the battery isn’t being fully bypassed and unused when the Duo Cam Doorbell is in a wired configuration. Since the battery is required to be in place for operation, it gives the impression that charge is going into the battery from low-voltage AC and the battery is what’s actually powering the doorbell. I could be wrong about that, though. Wouldn’t be the first time. Won’t be the last.
What I’d really like to see (and what would possibly get me to switch at some point), is evidence that the battery is unnecessary when the device is in a wired configuration and that having the battery in place lets the battery act like a backup and allow continuous microSD recording while the doorbell is running off the battery during a power blackout. I don’t anticipate that’ll happen, though.
Oh I misunderstood. You are correct, it is being powered by the battery, and then the battery is being charged by the AC power. At least that’s what I can see. Especially since it won’t run with out the battery, it won’t even power up.
It’s definitely backwards in this use case. As you pointed out, the battery should be a backup, not the only power source.
Yeah, I remember discussion in the announcement topic when that one was released last October about how it still requires installation of the battery even when it’s being used in a wired installation. At least one Help Center article mentions this, too. Seems to me like a weird way to power it, and I’m not sure what went into that design decision.
I spent today speaking with live support,..and well not so much support. Anyway, I wanted to let y’all know that I have a video doorbell pro that wouldn’t charge via supplied cable and port…so, I fixed it myself Yes, it definitely needed to be hardwired…and now it’s charging up the battery. So, I hope this helps everyone with a Vbell pro,
I appreciate the effort even though this is a solved topic about Duo Cam Doorbell (not Video Doorbell Pro).
I’m also glad you got your Video Doorbell Pro working again. I haven’t used the telephone option for Wyze Support, but my other interactions with them have been hit or miss.
Mine came with a cable. As if the camera isn’t hooked to AC power, you have to use the cable to charge the battery. The battery it removed and charged by USB C.
Yes, it definitely needed to be hardwired…and now it’s charging up the battery. So, I hope this helps everyone with a Vbell pro,
