Dependable way to turn dumb doorbell smart?

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1

Has anyone got a really good way to pickup a signal from dumb doorbell and use it in Hubitat?

I put a multimeter on mine and see it has a constant 3-4v DC then goes to 15v briefly as the doorbell is pressed. I thought about looking for some really small relay that could be set to only trigger over say 10v, but didn't want to go reinventing the wheel.

I tried a little cheap Zwave contact sensor with an optional wired contact circuit that's battery power. I wired it to the doorbell but the constant 3-4v was enough to have it register 'closed' all the time.

Also have seen people mention using a contact sensor with a magnet but I must just be too dense to see how to make that work dependably.

Would love to know how others have effectively solved this.

2

I use a Hughes Sage Doorbell Sensor (update: Zigbee). They're available on eBay. However, they work on the mechanical doorbells, which are ~18VAC. From the voltages you describe, I'm guessing you have an electronic chime. Are you sure your bell is DC? What does the meter say if you measure on AC?

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3

Isn't that a zigbee device? unless they make 2 models? I have 1 and it's definitely zigbee

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4

Oops, you are correct. Should have double checked, and not relied upon memory. Updated my post.

5

Thank you. I ordered one and will give it a try -- can't beat the price!

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Again, I would double check the voltages. I think these modules require the higher AC voltages (18-24VAC) of the older mechanical doorbells.

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Do a search for Sage here in the Community. There is at least one thread with quite a bit of information. You can't beat it for the price, but it isn't a carefree solution. Mine has had to be repaired a couple of times. There is no reporting on battery.

I have the feeling your doorbell is standard 24VAC. If you only measured it with the multimeter set to DC, you might have got the readings you did. Try with it set to low voltage AC. Other clues - does your doorbell have a transformer somewhere? Is the chime electronic or are there plungers that strike?

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Thank you. Yes, I just had the meter in the wrong mode.

I've ordered a Sage. It looks like exactly the right solution.

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