Viking Doorbell/Gang installation help

rismoney

Active Member
I am looking at installing a Viking E-40-SS. I am a techie, not so much into the construction end, so pardon my ignorance in this area.
http://www.vikingelectronics.com/products/pdf/e-40.pdf is the unit I got.

The house I am installing this on is new construction but completed. The exterior is Clay colored Certainteed vinyl siding. It says the unit is designed to be flush mounted into a standard single gang rough in box with dimensions of 2.25" x 2" x 2.84" Can I use a plastic rough in box? What is the best way to cut this out, a rotosaw/jigsaw, something else? The instructions recommend to use a siding mounting block, won't this look ugly vs just flush? The CAT5 cable run is already there but only pops out through a 1/8th drilled hole.

Do I need to attach the gang to a stud? What kind of caulk should I use? If specific Home Depot/Lowes parts can be gotten, links/parts#s would be uber helpful.

rismoney
 
The Siding Mounting Block basically evens out the slats of the siding and gives you a flat and perfectly vertical surface to install on. If you have the vertical clearance between slats to where you can fit the entire thing then you might be able to; the other thing with the mounting block though - vinyl siding is meant to be floating; it's not tightly secured anywhere enough to keep it from moving or expanding/contracting; the mounting block will promote this free movement as well; once you cut a hole and clamp the siding down, you're eliminating this free play.

Cutting a good square hole just depends on what you have handy... you can use a drill in each corner than a jig saw; or a dremel; or even those new multi-tools with the vibrating head - all will make nice holes if you're patient and precise.

It might be worth your time to go to a Home Depot and talk to their electrician and see what they recommend for your area - they can point you to caulk if you need it, or whatever parts you'll likely need; treat it just like an electrical box up until you put a faceplate on it.


How are your exterior outlets run? You should be able to copy those too.
 
Siding block is the way to go with vinyl siding, keeps water from migrating as well as sits flush/covers the expansion space needed for the vinyl siding. Arlington, is the manufacturer for the most options if your siding maker doesn't offer much. If you don't use a block, you're asking for issues, especially for a door box.
 
If you don't use a block, you're asking for issues, especially for a door box.
That does bring up a good point... the last outdoor call box I had to work with was an intercom with prox-reader and elevator buttons... pretty fancy unit, outdoor rated... went out three times in 6 months (speaker or microphone were going out)... first was a spider that got inside; the next two times were water-related problems.

Definitely keep it out of the elements the best you can.
 
I don't know if your model has this option but viking makes "hardened" models for not so perfect environments. I think they end in EWP like "E-30-EWP". That may be another option. Keeping the water out would be a good start though.
 
Don't ask the price difference on the boards that are encapsulated in silicone/epoxy however
I actually bought the all weather model, because I live on the water and there are bad winters/storms in my neck of the woods.
Does this change the requirement for a mounting block? ;)
 
Viking offers some 'hoods' that cover the front of the junction box, offering some rain protection.

I found this vinyl siding surface-mount j-block 'how-to'. Might help you do a recessed install.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/exterior/siding/vinyl/accessories/j_block_01/outlet_box.htm.

A 'j-block', plus a nice stainless junction box, with a hood, might help you avoid using the EWP product. But, I'd probably spring for the EWP, personally. Can probably exchange, from your retailer, distributor, or maybe even Viking? I've called Viking TS before, and they're extra-ordinarily friendly and helpful.

Maybe a shallow surface mount junction box would help; not sure how deep it needs to be for that doorphone.
 
Arlington seems to offer several vinyl siding junction boxes.

http://www.aifittings.com/results.php?keyword=siding+box

I think the easiest thing by far would be to use a siding mouting block from Certainteed, and a shallow attractive surface-mount box. With the EWP unit, if you can get it.
 
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