This is for my condo's doorbell. Right now, outside my door, there is a doorbell that looks like any other condo doorbell - a switch.
Inside, there is wiring to connect to the mechanical doorbell chime.

The problem is - I'd like to replace the switch outside with a different doorbell - the August Smart Doorbell



The problem is, the August doorbell needs to be wired to 16-24v. I believe this means that I would need to step down the voltage with a transformer as I believe the voltage to our condo doorbells are 240v? How would I be able to do that connection?

I've asked around with renovation electricians and it seems like nobody understands it technical enough to do it. Are there any recommendations to anyone that can help me with this, or if I could purchase a transformer and DIY this - where and how would I go about doing it?

Will something like this work: https://www.amazon.co.uk/JCL-BT8-8-Brand-Be...ell+transformer ?

Thanks!

I don't believe the doorbell need a 24v AC, I am not even sure if 24v AC serve any purpose or exists. What you want is probably DC 16-24V, which you can easily obtain by using a simple power supply similar to laptop power supply unit, not a transformer to transform the AC current.

Edit:
Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIGHT-100-240V-...r/dp/B00LUIHZZE

This post has been edited by Xaphier: Jul 21 2017, 12:41 AM

This is in the back of the doorbell unit:


This also came with it:


and the back of it:


I have no idea what that back piece (2nd and 3rd pic) is - for all I know it might be a transformer. But it isn't called that in the manual - just a back plate.

The unit itself is labeled 16-24V AC as you can see, so that's why I thought that's what's required

No instruction or manual?

haha...thank you for trying out the August doorbell.
anyway, getting a transformer is not difficult. The problem is where do you hide this transformer? behind the switch, the lobang is not big enough. Your wiring also may not be ready for it as it needs neutral and live wire

if you are willing to do some hacking then it is easy, just bury the transformer inside wall

get a 240VAC to 16-24VAC transformer. The two black wires (your 2nd and 3rd pic) is connected to the output from the transformer. The input part please take care not to electrocute yourself.

like this -
doorbell (pic1) ------ backplate with the two wires (pic 2&3) --------16-24VAC out Transformer 240VAC in ------->your wall wiring is for the switch. you somehow need neutral and live to be available so you can connect these to the transformer input


I really recommend a wireman to do this if you are not familiar with working with AC

btw did you kena any import tax for it? did you also consider the Ring doorbell?

This post has been edited by idoblu: Jul 21 2017, 08:28 AM

thats AC to DC
we need AC to AC (240VAC to 16-24VAC)

like this -
https://www.lelong.com.my/220v-to-24v-step-...7-01-Sale-I.htm

This post has been edited by idoblu: Jul 21 2017, 08:19 AM

Assuming you are replacing the current doorbell. So it already have the wire from the indoor chime.

So outdoor replace the switch connect with the wire is no problem.

For the indoor, you have to open up the chime and see the connection. According to this August doorbell, normally have a supply 16-24v from the chime. But cannot trust totally.

So you got to inspect the chime side is either direct 240v using or have a transformer step down.

With both way, either you have to use a transformer or tap the chime transformer power. You can use that chime box to cover up everything.

Not difficult if you replacing the current doorbell.

I believe this August doorbell works only with existing USA door bell system, where the August door bell only accept AC voltage between 16V and 24V.
This doorbell is designed to directly replace the button press on the conventional doorbell in USA.

Take a look at some of these webpages:
http://diyhousehelp.com/how-to/doorbell-wiring-diagrams
http://www.electrical-online.com/understan...orbell-systems/


Original (Image taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doorbell):



After Installation:



So I guess for this August doorbell to work for your house, you got to have the entire doorbell system ready.

For the transformer, since USA main power supply is running at 110VAC, as oppose to 240VAC in Malaysia, your transformer has to be different.

Question for topic starter, does your house has existing chime unit ready?

the august thing is just the outside switch - inside got no chime wan
the existing wall push switch there i think may not have neutral wire....

This post has been edited by idoblu: Jul 21 2017, 08:49 AM

it doesnt matter. the august doorbell is nothing but a switch that triggers your smartphone via wifi
there is no chime box

this thing is a pain in the ass, thats why i gave up the idea long ago. i aint paying 1k for a doorbell when nobody rings it
im staying in a condo, no visitors except for those on my floor can visit me anyway

Just like the alexander3133 diagram.

I mean the chime is the existing chime. Make use that chime internal transformer and the cover for the august thing.

You have to rewiring the chime side so the outdoor 2 wire become live and neutral. By just connect to the chime transformer.

Very much depend on the existing chime.

This shall be the common doorbell setup in Malaysia house




If the topic starter does have existing indoor chime/doorbell unit ready, next step is have to measure the wires connecting to the door bell switch using a multimeter.
If the voltage measured is AC, and falls within the voltage range specified in the August doorbell, then it is a good to go.
If it is not, then consider changing to another indoor chime/doorbell.

One thing shall be noted: those battery operated only chime/doorbell won't work on August doorbell.

The instruction/manual is extremely bare and doesn't say anything except connect it. It's meant for the US market after all.


Already planning to pay to do hacking for this if required to. Been asking wireman around and no one would do it as they are unfamiliar.

Yes, kena import tax on the whole thing. I bought the set with the August Smart Lock, Doorbell Cam and Smart Keypad. Did not consider the Ring. Reason for it is for airbnb digital lock - so I can remotely deal with digital keys, unlock remotely and a physical keypad in case digital is not my guest's cup of tea.


I think that's right - the doorbell is just a switch. Again, my reason for using it is for Airbnb purposes - where it makes sense as my unit is in Cyberjaya and I'm located in KL. Remote unlock for guests, digital keys and keypad unlock all will make 24 hr check in useful.

Right now, I don't have an existing indoor chime unit. There are the wires:

but I've not bought a unit yet.

Are you saying that I can buy a unit that has a transformer built in and then the switch would be 16-24V as it is a loop with the wire there? Any idea what kind of chime unit has that in Malaysia?

Thanks all for your input!

Just now I measured the voltage on my house doorbell press switch side, and I got 0.1X volt AC and 4.4X volt DC.
I have Hager WGDC01 (electronic) door chime and a normal doorbell press switch.

So from here I can say, not all doorbell or chime works the same.


TS, you still can get this thing work, using two ways:

1. With door bell. If you want to have ding dong sound when someone press your August doorbell, you have to search for a doorbell with transformer that output the AC voltage within the range specified on your August doorbell specification.

2. Without door bell. With no ding dong sound, you probably can just get a 240V to 16V AC step down transformer and connect directly to your August doorbell, all the video and WiFi will still work.

Hmm, I would prefer it to be option #1. Let me search around then. The door chime isn't easy to look for online. A lot of the sellers in Malaysia seem to only sell the cap ayam ones without brand and there isn't a lot of technical information available online. I'll post what I can find if I find anything. So that means if I get a door chime that has the correct voltage then the door bell would be at that voltage? Isn't the wire already wired to be 240v in a loop to the mains?

What do you mean by these questions?

The normal doorbell that has transformer built in, still have to connect to the 240V AC main supply, but the output voltage of the transformer may be different from one door bell to another. It depends on how the designer that design the door bell, and also what electrical components are used.

What I would advise is, go to physical shop, ask the shop owner or anyone familiar with electrical, to test out the door bell selling in the shop, use a multimeter (either from the shop or you bring your own), to measure the AC voltage value on the doorbell terminal that normally connects to doorbell switch. From there you can know whether if the door bell will work for your August door bell or not.

One example, take a look of these picture in one of the post in lowyat forum:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=76335242

In those pictures, you can see a white block that stated:
PRI: 230V ~ 50Hz
SEC: 11.8V ~ 6VA

With this information, you can know that the output voltage (or secondary voltage) of the transformer inside the doorbell is around 12 VAC.
So most likely the voltage of the doorbell switch side is also around 12V AC, but measure the terminals again to double confirm.
With this 12V output voltage, your August doorbell will not work with this door bell.

TS pls give review of your August Smart Lock when ready. im interested
thanks in advance

This post has been edited by idoblu: Jul 21 2017, 12:57 PM

Just so everyone is aware, do not wire an outdoor switch exposed to rain with 230V AC..

50mA @ 230V AC will kill and it will not trip the RCD or any of your overload mcb's..

Pls get a certified wireman to do your wiring..