Least resistance path to home repair

December 29 2006

Earlier this week, I began what I expected to be a simple task -- fix a doorbell that was not ringing.  I started with the most logical search -- "how to repair a doorbell".  The first challenge presented itself in Google's search results -- I read seven of the ten links on the first page, and found seven different approaches to the problem.  There were even different approaches to the "how to".  The simplest told me exactly what to do -- test the button first, then the connections, then the transformer, then the chime.  But I was amazed at how complex a purportedly-simple task could be:

Problems with doorbells are usually easy to diagnose and easy to repair. Don't call a home repair professional if your doorbell is broken. ...

Simply remove the cover of the doorbell, and test the doorbell with a neon test lamp by placing the probes against the terminals. If the voltage tester lights up your doorbell is unsafe. The push button is receiving too much voltage, and the transformer will require replacement.
Yeah, ok.

I took a more basic approach.  I removed the cover from the doorbell button, disconnected one wire, and put it in contact with the other.  I knew enough that if that worked, it meant the button was broken, and if it didn't, it meant something in the chime was broken.  When it didn't work, I moved on to the next logical step in the process.  I went to Home Depot and bought a new wireless doorbell unit for all of $14.  This was a far easier choice than trying to figure out clappers, grommits, unlabelled circuit breakers, and multitesters.  And I never had to consult the pages of my other google search, "how to install a doorbell".  

Score one for the wonders of modern technology.

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  Toys  Add/View Comments [14]

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  1. 1  Colin Williams http://www.guttedgeek.com | 12/29/2006 10:43:44 PM

    Ah the wonders of our modern throw away society...don't repair - buy new (and dig another landfill).

  1. 2  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 12/30/2006 9:08:43 AM

    Touche, Mr. Williams. I did -want- to repair it, but my suspicion is that the transformer was burned out, anyway. Given that, I was essentially buying new one way or another...

  1. 3  Julian Robichaux http://www.nsftools.com | 12/30/2006 9:38:41 AM

    So, when you decided to use the wireless doorbell unit, did you have to search for "how to UNinstall a doorbell" to get rid of the other one? ;-)

    Actually, what would be funny is if all the people on your street all had wireless doorbells. You'd never know which house you were ringing when you pressed the button.

  1. 4  Duffbert http://www.twduff.com | 12/30/2006 9:53:27 AM

    And I would have *still* probably fallen off something and hurt myself again... :)

    { Link }

  1. 5  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 12/30/2006 10:01:02 AM

    @3 Julian, I believe the wireless doorbell has a transmitter code, the package said something about 60 different codes. Presumably (though maybe not!), the factory pre-sets them randomly.

    You're right, the uninstall procedure is not documented -- thankfully I didn't have to call support. :-P

  1. 6  Charles Robinson http://cubert-codepoet.blogspot.com | 12/30/2006 11:04:18 AM

    There's another piece of the puzzle you missed: the wiring. Doorbells are usually wired with 18 or 20 gauge solid wire, which gets a little brittle as it ages. Since you live in an older home I'd be willing to bet that's where your problem is.

    One thing I dislike about the wireless doorbells is you have no way of knowing when the battery is going dead until it just stops working. Also, since the remote is battery powered and outside, a few especially cold nights can kill the remote.

  1. 7  Yury Kats  | 12/30/2006 1:01:02 PM

    @5: The factory may very well preset them randomly, but the Murphy law will make sure that your neighbour gets the exact same doorbell with exact same code for Chrsitmas!

  1. 8  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 12/30/2006 7:44:29 PM

    Or course Andy Porter was in the same scenario back in September. { Link }

    @6 - My wireless doorbell, which I amusingly installed only last week as my wired one was playing up, has a little LED on the push button.

    When the battery is dying, it flashes to warn you.

    I bought the exact same model as Ports.

  1. 9  Charles Robinson http://cubert-codepoet.blogspot.com | 12/30/2006 10:54:26 PM

    Now that's nifty. I would still be concerned about the effect of the cold on the batteries, especially if I lived in somewhere as cold as Chicago. (Not that I ever *would*, but if I did, I would be concerned. :P )

  1. 10  Keith Brooks http://kbmsg.blogspot.com | 12/31/2006 9:13:06 AM

    Doesn't anyone use a normal good old fashioned knocker anymore?

  1. 11  Villi Helgason  | 12/31/2006 10:41:14 AM

    In 3 months time, when the $14.- doorbell breaks, I suggest you remove all doorbells, and put a "knock" sign on the door :)

  1. 12  Rob Novak http://www.LotusRockStar.com | 1/2/2007 9:54:10 AM

    LOL as I started reading this I thought to myself...step one, remove cover and go get a wireless bell... :-)

  1. 13  Al Schwab  | 4/9/2007 2:38:47 PM

    So, my home used to have a wired system, now none. However, the transformer is still "transforming" as I can hear it in the wall behind where the front door doorbell button used to be. Should it be disconnected if I can reach it?

  1. 14  Frustrated with wireless  | 12/20/2007 11:27:29 AM

    I have a wireless door bell and it is horribly inconsistent. The other day I thought it was working just fine and then it wouldn't ring altogether. We actually thought it had something to do with the range and bought an extender, but we're still having problems. Can anyone help?