 jester121Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | Doorbell transformer @#$!#^
Doorbell chime button was cracked, so I figured someone mashed it too hard and shorted something out. Bought a new wall mount unit (wired) and got everything set up, and now it still isn't working. I think the transformer must have crapped out.
Question is -- is the transformer usually buried back behind the drywall, or should I be looking down in the basement above the drop ceiling? House is a colonial so I'm really hoping they weren't dumb enough to wire it up in the attic; if that's the case I'll rip the bastard out and install a metal knocker on the front door.
Thanks... |
|
 Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | Crawl Space or Attic usually. |
|
|
|
 Lurch77Premium
join:2001-11-22
Oconto, WI
kudos:4 | reply to jester121
My last home it was in basement ceiling. Current home, it is in the attic. |
|
jester121Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | Thanks guys. It's a finished basement so I have to go shove ceiling ties around and see if they were nice to me or not. Your house is a ranch isn't it Lurch?
I really should learn to use a volt meter some day.... could have saved some aggravation. |
|
| If it helps, all of mine have always been mounted right next to the main breaker panel |
|
Stevert
join:2001-10-23
Algonquin, IL | reply to jester121
said by jester121: House is a colonial so I'm really hoping they weren't dumb enough to wire it up in the attic; if that's the case I'll rip the bastard out and install a metal knocker on the front door.
Thanks...
We have a colonial (unfinished basement), and our doorbell transformer is hung off a box for one of the ceiling (joist?) lights in the basement right under the kitchen.
Makes sense, if you drew a straight line from our front door to where the doorbell is located in the kitchen, this basement light fixture, and therefore the transformer, would be pretty close to that line.
We also own a small ranch on a slab, and that doorbell transformer was hung off the breaker panel in the utility closet. Again, just about along a straight line from the front door to where the actual doorbell is located.
So when you start lifting those ceiling tiles, you might want to start by checking first along a line from the front door to where the bell is located. |
|
Lurch77Premium
join:2001-11-22
Oconto, WI
kudos:4 | reply to jester121
Both examples I listed are ranch homes. |
|
 nunyaWho is John Galt?Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
kudos:8
 ·Charter
 ·surpasshosting
 ·voip.ms
| reply to jester121
It's normally in the basement. On an un-switched light or on the fuse box. In some places, the jackasses have a habit of putting them inside the fuse box.
If there's a drop ceiling, you might be shuffling tiles for a while. If you see the DB wire, start following it. I usually put a toner on it if it's dead, and just follow the tone.
--
...because I care. |
|
 clevere1Premium
join:2002-01-06
Vancouver, WA
kudos:1 | reply to jester121
Mine's located in the garage...
I've had some located in the closet ...
--
Where's th' DAFFY DUCK EXHIBIT?? |
|
jester121Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | reply to jester121
Well, that was a fruitless search. I realized as I went down to the basement that I didn't even know what I'm looking for.
But there are no grey low voltage wires anywhere in the vicinity of the foyer visible from the basement. At 100+ degrees today I'm not going in the attic, I'd keel over in 30 seconds up there.
Screw it, do they make completely battery operated wireless ones? |
|
guppy_fishPremium
join:2003-12-09
Lakeland, FL
kudos:1 Reviews:
 ·Verizon FiOS
| said by jester121:Screw it, do they make completely battery operated wireless ones?
Yes, very common, all the box stores have dozens of models that are battery/wireless |
|
 brianPremium
join:2002-05-02
Lake Forest, CA
 ·DSL EXTREME
| said by guppy_fish:said by jester121:Screw it, do they make completely battery operated wireless ones?
Yes, very common, all the box stores have dozens of models that are battery/wireless yep... here there are actually more choices if you want to go wireless.
--
flickr gallery | photo blog (rarely updated) | play mafia! |
|
jester121Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | reply to guppy_fish
Cool. Thanks everyone for the advice. |
|
 djrobx
join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
kudos:1
·VOIPo
 ·Verizon Wireless..
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to jester121
In both of my last two homes the doorbell transformer is up high in the entry coat closet. We don't have basements in CA to hide it in. 
--
AT&T U-Hearse - RIP Unlimited Internet 1995-2011
Rethink Billable.
|
|
sk1939Premium
join:2010-10-23
Washington, DC
kudos:9 Reviews:
·T-Mobile US
| reply to nunya
said by nunya: In some places, the jackasses have a habit of putting them inside the fuse box.
Definitely not standard practice. |
|
sk1939Premium
join:2010-10-23
Washington, DC
kudos:9 | reply to jester121
Your looking for something like this:
 |
|
 wa2ibmPremium
join:2000-10-10
San Jose, CA | reply to jester121
In all the houses around here that I've seen, the transformer is in the heater closet, mounted to the electric box that has the heater cutoff switch.
--
- Bill |
|
| reply to wa2ibm
Re: Doorbell transformer Haven't had a house with a doorbell since 1981. I think the transformer was in the basement powder room, next to the telco protector. Either that, or in a closet near the door bell. |
|
 ChinaboundPremium
join:2002-12-21
Antioch, IL
kudos:3 | reply to jester121
Give me a call if your ass is too big to make it through your attic door. I'm passing through Lake Zurich later this morning.
|
|
