Wired/battery doorbells

sortofwinning

This is probably a really daft question, but I want a doorbell that doesn't need batteries replacing. I've been looking on Ebay and every doorbell I look at seems to need batteries. Is there no such thing as a doorbell that doesn't need batteries?


I've been searching for "wired doorbell" but the list that Ebay throws up still seems to have ones that need batteries. Currently we have some sort of plug in thing that hasn't worked in years, presumably because nobody changes the batteries. I don't even really know where it's plugged in.


Is there a particular name I'm supposed to use to find a doorbell that doesn't need batteries? If there is such a thing, I realise I'll need an electrician to fit it but surely this will work out cheaper than having to buy batteries all the time.


If anyone replies to this, I'm off into the relative wilderness from tomorrow til Monday and won't have much internet access so I won't read any replies til Monday - just in case people reply and then they don't see any further posts from me. I will definitely check in here again on Monday.


From a not-at-all-knowledgeable doorbell purchaser, thank you in advance for any help.

elsien

Anything here?

http://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/doorbells/cat830116#category=cat830516

coffeehound

I agree with you that such things should be mains powered. Have a look at

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Door_Bells_and_Chimes_Index/index.html

glasgowdan

An electrician callout might be £60. That's a LOT of batteries! Given that the chime is mains plugin, the battery is only needed in the button at the door, which doesn't use much power at all.

Still...The less batteries we rely on in life the better. It's getting ridiculous!

Google "240v door bell". You'll get thousands of options.

George_Michael

I have a mains powered bell unit (of the type that plugs into a socket in the house)
http://www.screwfix.com/p/wireless-60m-plug-in-door-chime-with-li-ion-powered-bell-push-white/52480
and although the push button is battery powered, this still has the original battery that was supplied when I bought and fitted it just over 10 years ago so I wouldn't worry too much about the cost of batteries.

What I like about this type of bell is that I can move it from room to room (or stick it in the garage if I'm working in there) or simply turn if off if not needed.

knightstyle

Just use a FRIEDLAND DOOR BELL TRANSFORMER to replace the batteries. It can be connected to the lighting circuit or a fused spur.

moneyistooshorttomention

Personally - I had a battery-powered doorbell in my last house and it never once needed the batteries changing during the many years I lived there (over 20).

I did have to ask the next door neighbour to do something about his electric-powered doorbell - as I could hear its transformer sound coming through my walls. He had to pad it round to stop the noise coming through.

My current house had/has an electric powered doorbell. I wish it didnt. Guess I should have changed it to battery-powered. I've only had the house a few years - but had to change the doorbell transformer when I moved in (ie use an electrician that was here anyway - and have that as an extra job). Since then - I've had to have an electrician change the transformer again:eek::mad:.

If I move again - I'll just rip out any electric doorbell and replace it with a battery one.

Mr.Generous

knightstyle wrote: »

Just use a FRIEDLAND DOOR BELL TRANSFORMER to replace the batteries. It can be connected to the lighting circuit or a fused spur.

I have a few unwanted brand new 240v mains bell transformers left over from a housing development, my daughter used to list them on Ebay and flogged a few but really wasn't much interest. I use door knockers on all rental property and refurbishment jobs now, you never get called out by tenants with a problem with their knockers!:beer:

Cisco001

Get a door locker or brass bell?
That is no battery or electrician required

TonyMMM

I replaced our mains powered bell with a battery one about 15 years ago - haven't had to replace the batteries yet !

Norman_Castle

Currently we have some sort of plug in thing that hasn't worked in years, presumably because nobody changes the batteries. I don't even really know where it's plugged in.

The hidden plug in thing is a transformer. Older ones are likely to constantly consume power which as batteries in doorbells last for years could possibly be more expensive than using batteries.

Most doorbells seem capable of using either batteries or a transformer which are bought separately which is why you may be struggling to find a mains powered doorbell.

The batteries in mine haven’t been changed for 4+ years (and have 2007 printed on them!)

Is the bell push wired or wireless? If wireless these need batteries. Your doorbell might be fine but needing a battery in the bell push.