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Turbo91's profile

Sunday, March 6th, 2022 5:02 PM

Video Doorbell Pro - does doorbell wiring provide primary power?

I have a video doorbell (battery) from a different manufacturer that I have hardwired my home's existing 16v doorbell wiring. The wiring trickle charges the doorbell camera's battery; it is not the primary power for the camera. The problem is that I live on a busy city street with a lot of pedestrian traffic and the camera's battery loses its charge in a few days and the entire unit needs to be removed from its mount to charge it (which takes 4+ hours).

Will the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro work better for me? In other words, is it powered from the doorbell wiring and the battery is only for backup (which would be ideal)? Or, is it like the my other doorbell camera and the wiring only provides a trickle charge (which would not work for my use)?

Official Solution

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

3 years ago

Hi @Turbo91,

The Video Doorbell Pro plugs into your wired analog doorbell system for both power and sound. That is, battery power is not an option at all.

5 Messages

@davey_d​  with the SS base station providing a chime for the Video Doorbell, do you need the analog doorbell box or only the transformer and doorbell wire from the transformer to the door? 

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

You will need both a mechanical chime box and transformer to ensure that your Video Doorbell Pro functions properly.

(edited)

742 Messages

@djbarragy 

If you don't have a chime box then you can get the "ding dong" through the base station. A chime box is not in any way required.

@davey_d​ 

Is there a way to adapt the video doorbell.  Current doorbell no longer receives power, is there an option for plug in power?

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

@lowcountryvisioncenter​ The Video Doorbell does require a wired analog doorbell for power. We do not have a recommended option for plug in power.

742 Messages

3 years ago

It definitely has a battery and behaves similarly to your current doorbell camera.

3 Messages

1 year ago

Can the video doorbell be powered through a PoE ethernet cable? 

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

@stutsfx​ The Video Doorbell Pro needs to be plugged into an existing wired doorbell for power.

1 Message

Why can't it be plug in to the port on the back of the unit? this what I used to power up & programmed it.

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

@gregelec​ The USB port is used at our factory to flash firmware on the Video Doorbell Pro and can be used to power up the device, but it is not intended to keep it charged. 

1 Message

Is there an issue if you use the usb port to power the camera fulltime? That is the only way mine will function properly... 

Community Admin

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739 Messages

@farwest83703 We do not recommend plugging a USB port into the Video Doorbell Pro, as it could damage the device over time. Existing doorbell wiring should be used to power the Video Doorbell Pro.

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