Wired Door Chime Deluxe Contractor Kit

Received this to help replace aging doorbell system. My buttons are cracked and needing replacement. This contractor version has basic buttons (picture) whereas newer homes might want the video version instead of older models. Quality is good but not the highest in this category. Product is made in China if that doesn’t surprise you. I am only using the buttons for my installation and will hold other part for later repair.

The Hampton Bay Deluxe Contractor door bell kit includes two buttons, transformer, bell unit, screws for mounting buttons and bell unit, and instructions. The bell unit is a simple white discreet design. It has two traditional bell modes determined when connecting the button wires to the bell unit – a DING DONG for one door, and a DING for a second door. The sound is produced by rods striking metal sound bars. The door buttons are plastic with one in shiny chrome with some texture and a lighted button, and the second in black and white. To avoid damage, do not over tighten the screws when mounting the plastic buttons. The door bell installation is pretty straightforward. In my case I was replacing an existing unit where the transformer had failed, and the bell unit was ugly. I first wired the transformer inside my circuit breaker panel to the 120 volt hot, neutral, and ground. Then connected and used the existing wires for the door buttons. The old bell unit did not sound, so I removed the wires from the existing button, touched the wires and got the old unit to function. That told me I also had a bad door button. I installed the new door button and the old bell unit now operated. I then tested the side door wiring by touching the wires together and it also worked so I knew I was good to go to swap out to the new bell unit. (I also used a multi-meter to check for low voltage from both the old and new transformer during my testing.) I had other things to do so did not extend the wires and drill new mounting and electrical access holes for the bell unit – my home is 100 years old with concrete board covered with hard plaster requiring carbide/diamond cutting bits/tools and creating a mess, even for just a couple of holes. I just used one existing hole to mount the bell unit horizontally. I will move it higher on the wall at a later date. Allow one to three hours for a replacement installation, and up to a day if running wires for the buttons. I would recommend having the door wires already in place. (IMPORTANT: Do not access your circuit breaker panel for wiring the transformer if you do not have electrical experience!) My wife is pleased to finally have a working doorbell(s). For me, it was low on my list of things to do, although the FedEx fellow actually used it the same day. (I wonder how many times the old non-working button got pushed?) Two negatives: The slots on the screws for the door bell buttons are too shallow making them difficult to drive without the screwdriver slipping, even with the holes predrilled. The cover for the bell unit is challenging to remove. Whether mounted on the wall or removing the cover prior to placing the unit on the wall it requires flexing the cover sides at two points before it can be removed. The cover is stiff and getting the proper grip while keeping my fingers from preventing the cover from releasing was challenging. Doing opposite corners finally worked for me. Once on the wall, I found that a screwdriver could be inserted into the slots on the side of the cover to carefully flex and unhook the cover. Made in China.

I ordered this Hampton Bay Deluxe Wired Door Chime contractor kit as an alternative option should the Notifi Elite WiFi Doorbell Camera not work with my old doorbell transformer and wiring. (Although my old transformer put out 20 VAC, the Notifi Doorbell Camera worked fine with it.) Also, our second home in Arizona doesn't have a doorbell, so I can always use this kit to add a doorbell and push buttons to the other house. This is a nice kit that includes everything you need to install a doorbell with push buttons for both the front and back doors except for the actual double-strand bell wire needed to hook up the various components. The front and back doors each have their own unique chime sound so you can tell which one is being rung. The instructions are well-written and have good illustrations for simple DIY installation.

We built our house and moved in 3+ years ago without “completely” finishing it. The doorbell setup being one of the items. Went ahead and got this set to force me to complete the job. This was an easy, quick installation with all the parts needed. My wiring had already been done (wires hanging out), so it was a matter of hooking it up inside and outside. It comes with 2 doorbell switches and we have a front door and side door bell. My wife didn’t like the bright silver one, but it was easy to pick up another. Nice tone

Basic doorbell. Loud. I took off 1 star for not having a volume control. But I would buy again. Better too loud than too soft!

Excellent value. Mechanical chime has a clear sound, easy to hear.