Do you know you may add a Ring Video Doorbell with out an electrician or having to fuss with any wires? You don’t even must have an present doorbell! We just lately added one to our entrance door and it’s one of many best do-it-yourself initiatives we’ve achieved shortly.
Be aware: This isn’t a sponsored publish. We paid our personal cash ($99!) for our doorbell. That is the exact Ring Video Doorbell we bought.
Why Add A Video Doorbell?
Video doorbells are an more and more fashionable residence safety system, and the Ring Video Doorbell is without doubt one of the hottest fashions on the market. With it, we will see and listen to what’s happening at our entrance door from wherever utilizing the Ring smartphone app. We are able to even communicate by means of it if we’re not residence to a neighbor who stops by or to a supply particular person with a bundle! The doorbell digital camera can also be motion-activated, so we obtain notifications when deliveries are placed on our entrance porch. And if somebody uninvited have been as much as no good, we’d obtain notification and have a video (with sound) of the incident – which makes it a pleasant deterrent to any potential trespassers. It’s principally a superpowered doorbell that gives a number of peace of thoughts.
We additionally selected a Ring Video Doorbell as a result of they provided each wired and wi-fi choices. We purchased the wi-fi possibility as a result of we didn’t have an present doorbell to exchange. Particularly, we obtained the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen). It took us lower than 10 minutes so as to add and concerned zero wires or electrical work. Very easy!
Putting in A Wi-fi Ring Doorbell
You possibly can see how simple the set up course of is by watching the 2-minute video beneath. And there’s further info and photographs beneath the video.
Be aware: You may also watch this video on YouTube.
Instruments Wanted To Set up A Ring Doorbell
Ring contains virtually all the things you have to to put in your video doorbell within the field. They supply screws, a charging twine, and even a small screwdriver. Nonetheless, you’ll want just a few different gadgets readily available:
Step 1: Cost The Battery
Ring recommends totally charging your doorbell’s battery earlier than set up. This takes a number of hours (ours took about 8 hours) so you should definitely start this forward of time or your set up will stall proper out of the gate. This mannequin doesn’t have a detachable battery and as an alternative simply plugs into the again of the doorbell itself.
There’s a blue mild on the entrance of the doorbell that signifies the charging progress. The ring might be totally blue as soon as your battery is able to go.
Step 2: Set Up The Ring App
Whereas your battery is charging, obtain the free Ring app onto your smartphone and create an account if don’t have already got one. That is the app you’ll use to entry the doorbell’s options like viewing the digital camera remotely or getting movement alerts. It should additionally information you thru the setup course of. Right here is the hyperlink to the Ring app for iPhone and the Ring app in Google Play.
As soon as your doorbell battery is charged, you may start the set up course of. The Ring app has a useful step-by-step information that may take you thru each the bodily and on-line set up of your new doorbell. You possibly can start this course of by clicking the three horizontal traces within the high left nook, then clicking “Set Up a Gadget” as proven beneath.
We gained’t element each a part of this app setup right here, however there’s a step by which you’ll sync the app to your actual system. That is achieved by scanning the system’s distinctive QR code, which might be discovered on the again of the doorbell (below the mounting plate) or on the again of the instruction guide.
A part of this course of may also contain connecting the doorbell to your house web, so have your wifi password useful!
Step 3: Connect The Doorbell Mounting Plate
Subsequent, you’ll cling the doorbell’s mounting plate to the outside of your house. The plate is a slim removable plate that lightly snaps off the again of the doorbell. The method for hanging it depends upon the floor you’re attaching it to. We hung ours on the wooden trim round our door, however it may also be added to siding, brick, or stone. There’s even a no-drill possibility we’ll focus on beneath!
First, you’ll need to decide the position of your doorbell. Ring recommends inserting it at the very least 4ft from the bottom. You might need to use a measuring tape to verify this, in addition to to ensure it’s centered in your trim. We additionally suggest utilizing a small stage to ensure it’s straight. Upon getting it in place, use a pencil to mark the 4 holes within the corners of the plate.
To keep away from splitting your wooden trim, we at all times advise utilizing a drill to make pilot holes first. That is additionally a step you’ll have to take for those who’re drilling into brick or stone, because you’ll have to insert the anchors that Ring supplies. To make pilot holes in brick, you’ll probably want a masonry drill bit and/or hammer drill.
Along with your pilot holes drilled, now you can use a screwdriver and the offered screws to safe the mounting plate to your house. You’ll want to use the longer screws from bag A, as indicated within the directions. Our mounting plate even had a sticker to remind us too!
In case you can’t drill into your siding – say you’re a renter or simply don’t need to – you should buy an adhesive mount as an alternative. You may also discover different after-market mounts like these meant for vinyl siding or adjustable mounts that swivel. Simply be sure to’re buying one which works along with your doorbell’s actual mannequin.
Step 4: Safe Your Doorbell To The Mount
Subsequent, snap your doorbell again onto the mount. Don’t push laborious. It shouldn’t take any power.
Then use the quick screws (in Bag B) and offered screwdriver to safe the doorbell in place. This not solely prevents the doorbell from falling or getting knocked misplaced, however may also deter somebody from eradicating or stealing the doorbell itself.
These safety screws have a particular formed head to discourage theft, so you should definitely cling on to that screwdriver! There may be additionally a spare screw included, which appears useful if one rolls below your deck or one thing.
Step 5: Configure Your Doorbell In The App
The ultimate steps contain configuring your doorbell settings inside the app. The setup course of will stroll you thru these choices and might be modified at any time by clicking the gear icon within the app. Settings embody issues like designating “movement zones” for individuals and packages, and adjusting what occasions you’d prefer to set off notifications to your telephone.
It might take some trial and error to get these precisely to your liking. You possibly can at all times flip off sure alerts for those who get too many or if you end up having to recharge your battery too continuously.
Different Ring Video Doorbell FAQs
Is it simple to put in a Ring Doorbell?
Sure! In case you can function a screwdriver and a smartphone, then you may completely set up a video doorbell your self (particularly a wirless mannequin). The wired Ring Doorbells do contain connecting low-voltage wires, however that is easy for most householders to do as properly.
Do you want an electrician to put in a Ring Doorbell?
No, each the wired and wi-fi video doorbells might be put in with out an electrician. The wired model solely entails low-voltage wiring which is comparatively simple to work with. Simply ensure the right breaker is turned off earlier than you start your work. Nonetheless, don’t hesitate to rent an electrician in case you are not comfy performing the work your self.
You may additionally want the assistance of an electrician for those who don’t have already got a wired doorbell. Nonetheless, in that case, we suggest putting in a wireless model like ours.
Does putting in a Ring Doorbell contain wiring?
No, the battery-operated Ring doorbell model we put in doesn’t contain any wiring. Until you rely the USB charging twine, I assume. Ha! As I discussed within the final query, the wired fashions (just like the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus) do contain low-voltage wiring. That is the wiring that already exists behind most conventional doorbells.
How do I select between a wired or wi-fi Ring Doorbell?
If you have already got a wired doorbell (like most conventional doorbells) then it’s most likely finest to decide on a wired video doorbell. These fashions are sometimes smaller and don’t require common battery charging. Plus, it’s simpler to reuse your present wires than to have them eliminated. Wi-fi fashions are finest for these with out present doorbells or for renters who can not add a wired mannequin.
Does a Ring Doorbell require a subscription?
No, a Ring subscription will not be required. Nonetheless, you may unlock further options with a Ring Protect Plan. Most notably, it would permit you to file video and playback previous video occasions. With out one, you’ll nonetheless get real-time notifications and may view stay video. Presently, plans begin as little as $4/month or $40/yr.
Do I want to purchase anything?
The field comes with all the things you want for a fundamental set up. Nonetheless, listed below are some further purchases you might need to contemplate:
- Chime: Since wi-fi video doorbells don’t faucet into an present wired chime field, you might need to add this small wi-fi system. It plugs into an outlet and performs doorbell notifications in your house, identical to a standard doorbell chime. We obtained one and love all of the sound choices.
- Wedge Kit: When you’ve got stairs resulting in your entrance porch like ours, you’ll need your doorbell digital camera angled downward to higher seize individuals approaching. This equipment is put in behind your doorbell’s mounting plate to tip your doorbell barely (we obtained one and it’s nice). There are additionally corner wedge kits which are accessible as properly.
- Faceplate Covers: These are 3 totally different metallic colours you should buy to alter the look of your doorbell. They arrive in Brushed Bronze (medium gold), Brushed Graphite (darkish grey), and Brushed Silver (mild grey). The oil-rubbed bronze colour proven on this publish is the inventory Venetian Bronze that got here with our Ring, and we find it irresistible. It ties proper into our darkish home windows and metallic rocking chairs close by.
- Solar Charger: Mounted behind the doorbell, this photo voltaic panel can prevent from having to cost your battery as a lot (or ever!) relying in your entrance door’s solar publicity.
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