Automated doorbell with relay... not switched fast enough

[az1324]

I connected my doorbell button to a digital input which is then linked to a relay output which does the actual doorbell chime switching. This way the controller in the middle can monitor it. However, sometimes the switching of the relay isn't fast enough to produce the nice sharp ding dong and instead is more of a muffled tink tonk.

Any good solutions to this problem from the electrical wizards out there?

Or should I switch to a non-mechanical/digital chime?

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

I'm assuming this is used with an Elk, if not let me know.

Is the relay not switching fast enough, or not staying closed long enough for the doorbell's "strike" to activate properly?

I would suggest trying this idea as it doesn't cost you anything but a little time. Write a rule that turns your output on for three seconds when it sees the doorbell input activate and see what happens.

 

[az1324]

No it's not an ELK it's an EZIO device.

It appears that due to the switching the doorbell solenoid receives a gradual increase in current and thus is not fully accelerated from its rest position instantly to strike the chime.

I have tried switching the relay on longer and it doesnt seem to help with the ding. The dong is relatively consistent because its action is spring powered but it is harder to hear in general.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

hmmm, you are switching a steady state 24 volts AC via the relay output to the doorbell's solenoid correct? What happens when you take a piece of wire and short the NO and C contacts together of that relay output? I'm wondering if you are truely getting 24 VAC to the solenoid.

The short will give ample time to get the ding activated properly, and as you said, because of the spring loading, your dong will be long enough independent of voltage (hmm, that is interesting wording there ).