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 should have an present doorbell! We not too long ago added one to our entrance door and it’s one of many best do-it-yourself initiatives we’ve executed shortly.
Observe: This isn’t a sponsored submit. We paid our personal cash ($99!) for our doorbell. That is the precise Ring Video Doorbell we purchased.
Why Add A Video Doorbell?
Video doorbells are an more and more standard residence safety system, and the Ring Video Doorbell is without doubt one of the hottest fashions on the market. With it, we are able to see and listen to what’s happening at our entrance door from anyplace utilizing the Ring smartphone app. We are able to even communicate by way of it if we’re not residence to a neighbor who stops by or to a supply particular person with a package deal! 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 had 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 mainly a superpowered doorbell that provides 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 received 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 extra data and photographs beneath the video.
Observe: You too can watch this video on YouTube.
Instruments Wanted To Set up A Ring Doorbell
Ring consists of nearly all the pieces you will have to put in your video doorbell within the field. They supply screws, a charging twine, and even a small screwdriver. Nevertheless, you’ll want just a few different objects readily available:
Step 1: Cost The Battery
Ring recommends absolutely 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 absolutely 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 would 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 can 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 strains within the prime left nook, then clicking “Set Up a System” as proven beneath.
We received’t element each a part of this app setup right here, however there’s a step through which you’ll sync the app to your actual system. That is executed by scanning the system’s distinctive QR code, which might be discovered on the again of the doorbell (beneath the mounting plate) or on the again of the instruction handbook.
A part of this course of can even contain connecting the doorbell to your own home web, so have your wifi password useful!
Step 3: Connect The Doorbell Mounting Plate
Subsequent, you’ll hold the doorbell’s mounting plate to the outside of your own home. The plate is a slim removable plate that lightly snaps off the again of the doorbell. The method for hanging it is determined by the floor you’re attaching it to. We hung ours on the wooden trim round our door, however it can be added to siding, brick, or stone. There’s even a no-drill possibility we’ll talk about 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 test this, in addition to to ensure it’s centered in your trim. We additionally advocate utilizing a small degree 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 all the time advise utilizing a drill to make pilot holes first. That is additionally a step you’ll must take if you happen to’re drilling into brick or stone, because you’ll must insert the anchors that Ring gives. To make pilot holes in brick, you’ll doubtless 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 own home. Be sure you use the longer screws from bag A, as indicated within the directions. Our mounting plate even had a sticker to remind us too!
For those who 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 too can discover different after-market mounts like these meant for vinyl siding or adjustable mounts that swivel. Simply be sure you’re buying one which works together 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 arduous. It shouldn’t take any pressure.
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 can even deter somebody from eradicating or stealing the doorbell itself.
These safety screws have a particular formed head to discourage theft, so you should definitely hold on to that screwdriver! There’s additionally a spare screw included, which appears useful if one rolls beneath 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 embrace issues like designating “movement zones” for folks and packages, and adjusting what occasions you’d wish to set off notifications to your telephone.
It could take some trial and error to get these precisely to your liking. You possibly can all the time flip off sure alerts if you happen to get too many or if you end up having to recharge your battery too incessantly.
Different Ring Video Doorbell FAQs
Is it simple to put in a Ring Doorbell?
Sure! For those who 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 correct breaker is turned off earlier than you start your work. Nevertheless, don’t hesitate to rent an electrician if you’re not snug performing the work your self.
You might also want the assistance of an electrician if you happen to don’t have already got a wired doorbell. Nevertheless, in that case, we advocate putting in a wi-fi mannequin like ours.
Does putting in a Ring Doorbell contain wiring?
No, the battery-operated Ring doorbell mannequin we put in doesn’t contain any wiring. Except you depend 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 in all probability greatest to decide on a wired video doorbell. These fashions are usually 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 greatest for these with out present doorbells or for renters who can’t add a wired mannequin.
Does a Ring Doorbell require a subscription?
No, a Ring subscription isn’t required. Nevertheless, you may unlock extra options with a Ring Shield Plan. Most notably, it is going to permit you to document video and playback previous video occasions. With out one, you’ll nonetheless get real-time notifications and may view stay video. At the moment, plans begin as little as $4/month or $40/12 months.
Do I want to purchase anything?
The field comes with all the pieces you want for a fundamental set up. Nevertheless, listed below are some extra purchases chances are you’ll need to take into account:
- Chime: Since wi-fi video doorbells don’t faucet into an present wired chime field, chances are you’ll need to add this small wi-fi system. It plugs into an outlet and performs doorbell notifications in your house, similar to a conventional doorbell chime. We received one and love all of the sound choices.
- Wedge Equipment: If in case you have stairs resulting in your entrance porch like ours, you’ll need your doorbell digital camera angled downward to raised seize folks approaching. This equipment is put in behind your doorbell’s mounting plate to tip your doorbell barely (we received one and it’s nice). There are additionally nook wedge kits which might be obtainable as properly.
- Faceplate Covers: These are 3 completely different metallic colours you should buy to vary 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 shade proven on this submit 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.
- Photo voltaic 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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