If you have an old chime setup you’ll probably need the chime controller and possibly need to upgrade your transformer (especially if you want video doorbells at both locations, but even just a single one probably will need more).
This should probably be in a new topic, but I’ll bite.
I think you’re conflating two different models: Video Doorbell v2 was released during Wyze Week last year and Duo Cam Doorbell was released during Wyze Week this year. The others in the lineup are Video Doorbell Pro and Video Doorbell (Wired) (often referred to as “v1”).
I don’t know what your subscription status is, but be aware that smart detection (including package detection) requires a subscription to Cam Plus or better. I believe the second (downward-viewing) camera on Duo Cam Doorbell is specifically designed for package coverage, but I achieved a somewhat-downward angle for my Video Doorbell v2 by modifying a model I found online and fabricating my design at a local library.
If you’re at all concerned about the wiring, then sharing photos can go a long way toward helping others help you. If you’ve read much in the Forum about user experience with Duo Cam Doorbell since its launch, however, you’re likely to be aware that many users have reported unwanted sounds (buzzing, humming, phantom rings) from their homes’ built-in mechanical chimes after installing Duo Cam Doorbell because—unlike with Video Doorbell v2—this model does not include the Chime Controller. Installing the Chime Controller appears to be the accepted remedy for these problems, as has been discussed extensively in other Forum topics.
Unfortunately for new Duo Cam Doorbell users who want to employ their homes’ built-in chimes, Chime Controller has not been made available for sale as a separate accessory via Wyze’s Web site shop. It was previously available for sale via the shopping tab in the Wyze app, but when I checked just now I didn’t see it at all, and the last time I checked before it was listed as sold out.
Two things immediately come to mind:
- If you get the Duo Cam Doorbells, install them without the Chime Controllers, and want to use your home’s existing mechanical chime, then be prepared for the possibility of unwanted noises from your chime.
- Know your transformer’s voltage and apparent power output rating (ideally you’d also test this yourself) beforehand and be prepared to replace it if you hit any performance issues and/or if it’s not currently meeting Wyze’s recommended minimum (16 V AC, ≥10 VA). For driving two doorbells, I’d probably want something closer to 24 V AC and 20-40 VA, but that’s just my non-electrician’s guess (though I feel like I’ve gained a lot of experience by doing installations of Wyze and non-Wyze smart doorbells).
If you’re looking for some kind of stand-off to provide space behind the doorbell camera unit itself and if you have access to a 3D printer, then other solutions already exist, as well.
If you really want to use your home’s built-in mechanical ding-dong! chime and have a Wyze video doorbell, then your options are the Duo Cam Doorbell and the Video Doorbell v2. The others aren’t capable of using a home’s built-in chime (and, in fact, are designed to be wired in a way that bypasses the chime because they include their own wireless chime units). If you’re set on the Duo Cam Doorbell and want to go ahead and order and install it, then go for it, but be prepared for…
- unexpected sounds from your home’s chime and plan for the potential of bypassing the chime (generally easy enough to do inside the chime box), and
- the possibility of needing to upgrade your transformer, depending on what you already have in place.
Even if you want to obtain and install the Duo Cam Doorbells and operate without the use of your home’s built-in mechanical chime for now, you can do that with the included Wi-Fi Chime that comes with each Duo Cam Doorbell, and you can also use certain Wyze camera models as accessory chimes. Then at some point in the future, hopefully the Chime Controller will be available for separate purchase again and you can get a couple of those to throw into your chime box and be back in business with your NuTone. I’ve also seen mention of buying a refurbished Video Doorbell v2 just to get the Chime Controller, but that seems like it shouldn’t be necessary. I guess it depends on how patient you are and how much you want to spend.
I’d recommend sticking with 20V. The 24V will probably be putting out a bit higher than that, and there is no need to run these devices right at the upper end of their limit (or even beyond it). Middle ground is going to be safest and probably give the best lifespan, and also be compatible with other non-smart buttons and the mechanical chime.
A 20V 1.0A (20VA) is plenty for a single bell, 20V 1.5A (30VA) should handle two no problem.
But don’t rule out 16V. If you plan to keep some traditional buttons and they are lit (especially if LED lit) you need to check the specs on those, the LED ones I got are rated for no more than 20V, and since a 20V transformer probably puts out more like 22 to 24, if you don’t have enough length of wire to drop that down to 20 by the time it hits the button, those lights will burn out very quickly. 16V 1.0 or 1.5A (15 to 25 VA approx) should run a single video bell fine, possibly even two.
The problem is the traditional cheap transformer that comes with bells is often 16v 0.5A (8VA) and those are the ones that cause issues with the video cams. They’ll often call those 10VA just because they know they’re actually putting out 18V or more under no load and they round up for simplicity, but in reality they’re a few dollar transformer that isn’t capable of even hitting 500mA most likely.
Thanks & I apologize to the OP, didn’t mean to hijack the thread. Did it without thinking as usual. Lol
Thanks for the thorough input, I’ll do some testing and make some decisions. As mentioned, I already have two video doorbells mounted. No chime connectors. Connections work. Heavy doubled up wiring.
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