OPII read voltage (DC) as an input? Doorbell

charliebarns

Active Member
I'm wondering if my OPII can accept a DC voltage (doorbell being pushed) as an input (close) to announce doorbell push?


thx

cb

edit: I've been doing some more searches, and from what I gather the HAI can't take it input directly. However, if I used something like an Elk 924 to detect the doorbell push, and then wired that relay to an input on the OPII I think that should work. I'm not sure what the voltage is on a doorbell system, so I'll have to check that out and determine which relay to use.
 
Charlie,

Your post was very timely and near and dear to my heart. In my post, I was discussing the nightmare I am having getting my doorbell to work.

You have a few issue here. First DON'T under any circumstances try to connect your doorbell circuit directly to your Omni unless you want to send it in for repair. The doorbell uses a transformer which is approximately 17 volts AC, not DC.
The next factor is whether or not it is a lighted doorbell because if so, there is always current flowing to light the lamp and that may interfere with triggering certain relays.
The next factor is regardless of how you get the signal into the Omni, the Omni likely will not see it without some sort of delay.

I'd like to say that the Elk-930 doorbell detector in partner with a Elk-960 delay timer would work great but I am skeptical due to my results although I suspect an issue with the 930. Others have apparently used that successfully, so YMMV.
 
Charlie,

Your post was very timely and near and dear to my heart. In my post, I was discussing the nightmare I am having getting my doorbell to work.

You have a few issue here. First DON'T under any circumstances try to connect your doorbell circuit directly to your Omni unless you want to send it in for repair. The doorbell uses a transformer which is approximately 17 volts AC, not DC.
The next factor is whether or not it is a lighted doorbell because if so, there is always current flowing to light the lamp and that may interfere with triggering certain relays.
The next factor is regardless of how you get the signal into the Omni, the Omni likely will not see it without some sort of delay.

I'd like to say that the Elk-930 doorbell detector in partner with a Elk-960 delay timer would work great but I am skeptical due to my results although I suspect an issue with the 930. Others have apparently used that successfully, so YMMV.

Thanks for the response and education Steve. I'll go and pickup a 930 and 960 on Monday and report my results. I read your thread, strange behavior you're experiencing. Hopefully I can play with the same configuration here and we can work it out. My doorbell(s) are also lit.

CB
 
I'll go and pickup a 930 and 960 on Monday and report my results.
Damn, it must be nice to just go 'pick one up'. Most places around here don't stock any of this stuff.

Is your current doorbell one of those chime type with a solenoid, plunger and bar or one of those electronic ones with a bunch of melodies? Mine is the latter and I suspect it is not drawing enough current to trip the 930.
 
Personally (and I shouldn't have) removed my doorbell/transformer and initially used X-10 to trigger three chimes in my two story home.

Today have the doorbell connected to one zone on the OPII. It works but not optimal as I still want an illuminated doorbell.

I have been looking at replacing front door (with side panels) and putting a small roof of sorts over the front door in a total redesign of the front entrance.

With HA in mind during the "rebuild" I want to re-wire the front door while I will be removing and putting in a new door (so will put a cam by the doorbell, etc).

An optimal solution for just the doorbell piece with an illuminated doorbell button would be great.
 
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