I recently bought a Skybell HD slim video doorbell, which feeds into my Alarm.com system. I have a mechanical chime.

got everything installed and noticed when the doorbell rings, the chime stays somewhat engaged...meaning there is a small electrical hum coming from it. I called tech support and they led me to the doorbell transformer, to which I went and bought/replaced the one with the specs they told me - 16V/10VA output. Reattached everything - same problem. Saw online a lot of similar issues with this - so decided to spring $12 on a new doorbell chime...the specs on it are "use with a 16V/10VA transformer.

So now, all new parts involved (except wiring). Reconnect old doorbell (mechanical) and no hum in chime. Connect my Skybell and there is a hum still.

I see a lot online about perhaps needing to attach a resistor to all this, which I am fine doing - but is any of this an electrical danger/hazard? I mean if the hum is faint enough to live with I will live with it, but an electrical sound just doesn't feel right to me.

I could always return the doorbell and ask for a new one too I guess...but apparently a LOT of people have this issue.

any thoughts?

I assume you've removed the doorbell chime cover and tried to pinpoint the hum to no avail?

I can't be much help, but I have a Skybell HD with my original 1974 mechanical chime and don't have any issues.

Might try it just with short wire run on the desk since you have all the pieces to rule. Out. The wire

I've replaced the chime, the transformer and obiously the new doorbell, so all new components.

Mine is doing this exact thing from time to time after months, or maybe a year, of working fine. I think it happened when it somehow got disconnected from my security panel and I'm not sure how to set it up correctly again.

I can sometimes activate the camera and speak to the person at the front door, but my videos do not records and save any longer.

I haven't had the time or inclination to work on it, so it just irritates me when it rings and I soon forget it until it rings again.

I've bought some resistors to see if that solves it. It has for many, so we will see.

well, putting in a resistor didn't work. When I rang the doorbell, the resistor began to smoke and eventually burned up.

CapCity12thMan said:

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well, putting in a resistor didn't work. When I rang the doorbell, the resistor began to smoke and eventually burned up.

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is that a digital chime?

No it's a standard hammer strike type doorbell i got at lowes for $13. Also have a new transformer that meets chime requirements and then obviously new skybell door bell.

Testing I get 21.5 VA at both outside contact points/wires and 21.5 at transformer.

My ring worked fine for the first 6 months I had it (hardwired into existing mechanical chime wiring).
Then I had that hum one day too, along with a burnt smell. I took off chime cover and it was smoking. I undid the wiring and just left it. Luckily my Ring is the kind that has hardwire or rechargeable battery option, so now I have to recharge it about twice a year.

My ring came with a little resistor looking component and said to use it if you met a certain circumstance; at the time, I determined I didn't need it.. maybe I did, I don't know. It's been a while.


So yeh, I have to recharge battery now, which isn't a huge deal since it's infrequent. And I have the additional digital chime and signal booster (by ring), so it's not like I need the mechanical working.

I have a skybell and mine does the same thing. I put on a resistor and it solved the hum, but the doorbell doesn't ring. A part of me is OK with it as I get alerts on my phone, but I'm also a bit pissed that they can't find a good fix for it. I've thought about going with a Ring and then getting one of the chimes they offer and placing it in the living room.

CapCity12thMan said:

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No it's a standard hammer strike type doorbell i got at lowes for $13. Also have a new transformer that meets chime requirements and then obviously new skybell door bell.

Testing I get 21.5 VA at both outside contact points/wires and 21.5 at transformer.

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use a diode

Quote:

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use a diode

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I am sure this is painfully obvious to you, but what does this mean?

Why do resistors work for everyone else?

CapCity12thMan said:

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Quote:

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use a diode

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I am sure this is painfully obvious to you, but what does this mean?

Why do resistors work for everyone else?

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My ring came with a diode. Did yours?

No it didn't...I don't have a ring

https://community.smartthings.com/t/skybell-hd-chime-buzzing/96754/27

I keep reading discussions like the above, and keep thinking maybe I just need to up my resistor until a) it doesn't burn up and b) removes the humming and the doorbell works.

Each resistor is < $2 at Fry's so I'm gonna go get a handful of different ones and see what happens.

My biggest question - is this constant humming a fire hazard/danger in any way? I *guess* l could live with it if not, but it seems a bit scary to have electrical buzzing going on.

10 Ohm 1 Watt resistor solved the humming issue. I have no clue why, but there ya go.