Adding extra chime to mains wired doorbell

Groove Rida · Nov 14, 2022

Hi
I have a mains wired doorbell with the chime in the hallway. Parents are elderly and dont hear the bell all the time. I want to run two wires from the hallway chime into living room and add another chime there. Does the new chime need to have built in transformer does it not require it?
Current set up is a transformer by the fusebox and the chime has one wire to it and another to the push button. One wire from the push button the transformer to complete circuit.

OnlQQker · Nov 14, 2022

To be honest with all of the messing about wiring etc. I would go wireless

https://www.manomano.co.uk/catalogue/p/doorbell-door-viewer-camera-door-peephole-door-camera-doorbell-with-wireless-monitor-56693351

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Powered-Receivers-Waterproof-Ringtones-500-1000ft/dp/B07TJ1DLW1/ref=asc_df_B07TJ1DLW1?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920843836699&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583520388307710&th=1

Groove Rida · Nov 14, 2022

Only 2 wires and a chime is about £10 -£12 job done

Groove Rida · Nov 16, 2022

Does any1 know if the second chime has to have built in transformer or not?

Taylortwocities · Nov 16, 2022

One transformer for two chimes

But

I have found that many bell transformers don’t have enough output for two bells. So, you may find that you need to replace the tranny. Try it and see if it works, but I too would go for a wireless jobby.

brianmoooore · Nov 16, 2022

There are probably electronic chimes available that draw very little current to operate, which would probably overcome the possible transformer output problem.

brianmoooore · Nov 16, 2022

I solved a similar problem on one occasion, by replacing the chime with a large fire bell (customer's son's suggestion.)

Groove Rida · Nov 19, 2022

Taylortwocities said:
One transformer for two chimes

But

I have found that many bell transformers don’t have enough output for two bells. So, you may find that you need to replace the tranny. Try it and see if it works, but I too would go for a wireless jobby.

What if the second chime has a built in tranny. Will that work?

MJPD29 · Nov 20, 2022

Groove Rida said:
What if the second chime has a built in tranny. Will that work?

Not unless you have 230 as well as wiring it to the existing one.

Groove Rida · Nov 22, 2022

Matthewd29 said:
Not unless you have 230 as well as wiring it to the existing one.

What does that mean sorry not unless i have a 230?
Can some advise how i can add a second chime to my current set up?
Thanks

brianmoooore · Nov 22, 2022

Connecting two chimes with built in transformers to the same push is not a good idea. They would need to be connected so that booth transformers are phased together, and not one 180 degrees out from the other, and unless the voltages of the transformer secondaries are identical, there will be a constantly circulating current through the two chimes, which may make them buzz. you could probably solve this with a couple of blocking diodes, but then the chimes might not perform as intended.
You can connect two chimes in parallel with a transformer by the CU, as long as that transformer can supply sufficient power to supply your chosen two chimes.

Groove Rida · Nov 23, 2022

You can connect two chimes in parallel with a transformer by the CU, as long as that transformer can supply sufficient power to supply your chosen two chimes.

Thanks. So just buy a normal chime like i got already without a transformer built in. Wire it from the current chime. As long as transformer i got currently has sufficient power. Ill check it tonight and advise what power it has.

brianmoooore · Nov 23, 2022

Yes, but as I suggested in an earlier post, I suspect that there are electronic chimes available that use a lot less power than a conventional one with a solenoid slug hitting a tuned piece of metal.

Taylortwocities · Nov 23, 2022

Groove Rida said:
You can connect two chimes in parallel with a transformer by the CU, as long as that transformer can supply sufficient power to supply your chosen two chimes.

Thanks. So just buy a normal chime like i got already without a transformer built in. Wire it from the current chime. As long as transformer i got currently has sufficient power. Ill check it tonight and advise what power it has.

Most standard bell transformers are rated at around 1amp. Enough for one bell. Adding a second bell may be too much.
And the length of the wiring has an effect too. But see how you get on. Be prepared to have to buy a bigger transformer.

Quite honestly you’d be better off ditching the plan to extend the existing bell. Get a wireless one with two (or more) soundest. It will probably be cheaper and easier.