[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by MplsPete

I bought a voltage detector at Harbor Freight for about five bucks. Amazon etc sells many similar devices for similar low prices. They look like a pencil, a fat fat pencil. Very simple to use, might be useful for your situation, maybe someone can comment. Kind of neat: hold it near a wire and it magically detects electricity (or not.) Dunno if professional electric people would recommend it, but I think it's handy. Easier than a volt ohm meter.

These typically do not work below 50 volts, I have had a few, and I have never found one that I could use for landscape lighting (12 to 15 vac).

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by twotogo

My doorbell button doesn't light up. It's 12 years old. Purchased a new button. Problem the circuit breaker box doesn't have a circuit breaker marked as doorbell. I know there is a tool that can be purchased to test if the line is still hot. I called Pike Electric & they will charge $150 to replace. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to be sure the line is dead, before proceeding. Thanks Barb

If you can wait a couple of weeks I'd be happy to stop by and assist.

[RoboVil]

Originally Posted by twotogo

My doorbell button doesn't light up. It's 12 years old. Purchased a new button. Problem the circuit breaker box doesn't have a circuit breaker marked as doorbell. I know there is a tool that can be purchased to test if the line is still hot. I called Pike Electric & they will charge $150 to replace. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to be sure the line is dead, before proceeding. Thanks Barb

You can buy a non-contact voltage (NCV) tester at any home improvement store and flip each breaker until you know the power is off to the doorbell. Could do the same thing with a volt-ohm meter but that would require taking the doorbell off first. $150 for a 5 minute job seems unreasonable.

[Miboater]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I replaced my doorbell button with a Ring device and connected the 2 button wires to the Ring device. The wires do 2 things, they allow the old doorbell to ring and they keep the Ring battery charged. No need to add a transformer or anything else.

There are a few different levels of Ring doorbells. The higher end units do require 16-24 VAC and 10-40 VA for all the functionality to work so a transformer upgrade is needed.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Miboater

There are a few different levels of Ring doorbells. The higher end units do require 16-24 VAC and 10-40 VA for all the functionality to work so a transformer upgrade is needed.

Correct. You need to verify the transformer compatibility of your Ring device. My installation was very simple. No need to install a new transformer.

Note that if you just want a simple video camera and doorbell, I would shop for a Ring device that will be compatible with your existing transformer. It will be very easy to install.

[HBKoerner]

my doorbell is in the hallway and the breaker says “hallway”. My doorbell was broken, but the pushbutton worked. I looked up the name from the cover, ordered a new one on Amazon for $26 and replaced it myself.

[Margefrog]

My transformer is in the garage. Correct, low voltage and not connected to house wiring.