Do you know you possibly can add a Ring Video Doorbell with out an electrician or having to fuss with any wires? You don’t even need to have an present doorbell! We lately added one to our entrance door and it’s one of many best do-it-yourself initiatives we’ve finished 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 common dwelling safety gadget, 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 anyplace utilizing the Ring smartphone app. We will even converse via it if we’re not dwelling to a neighbor who stops by or to a supply particular person with a bundle! The doorbell digicam can 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 mainly a superpowered doorbell that gives numerous peace of thoughts.
We additionally selected a Ring Video Doorbell as a result of they supplied 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 acquired 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 pictures beneath the video.
Observe: You may as well watch this video on YouTube.
Instruments Wanted To Set up A Ring Doorbell
Ring contains nearly every part 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 a couple of different gadgets 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 be sure you 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 a substitute 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 will likely 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 digicam 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 possibly can 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 received’t element each a part of this app setup right here, however there’s a step wherein you’ll sync the app to your actual gadget. That is finished by scanning the gadget’s distinctive QR code, which could be discovered on the again of the doorbell (below the mounting plate) or on the again of the instruction handbook.
A part of this course of may even contain connecting the doorbell to your private home web, so have your wifi password helpful!
Step 3: Connect The Doorbell Mounting Plate
Subsequent, you’ll dangle the doorbell’s mounting plate to the outside of your private home. 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 talk about beneath!
First, you’ll need to decide the position of your doorbell. Ring recommends inserting it at the least 4ft from the bottom. Chances are you’ll need to use a measuring tape to test this, in addition to to verify it’s centered in your trim. We additionally advocate utilizing a small degree to verify it’s straight. After 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 must take should you’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 supplied screws to safe the mounting plate to your private home. Make sure 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 a substitute. You may as well 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 exhausting. It shouldn’t take any power.
Then use the quick screws (in Bag B) and supplied screwdriver to safe the doorbell in place. This not solely prevents the doorbell from falling or getting knocked misplaced, however may even deter somebody from eradicating or stealing the doorbell itself.
These safety screws have a particular formed head to discourage theft, so be sure you dangle on to that screwdriver! There may be additionally a spare screw included, which appears helpful 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 could be modified at any time by clicking the gear icon within the app. Settings embrace issues like designating “movement zones” for individuals and packages, and adjusting what occasions you’d wish to set off notifications to your cellphone.
It could take some trial and error to get these precisely to your liking. You possibly can at all times flip off sure alerts should you 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! In case you can function a screwdriver and a smartphone, then you possibly can 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 nicely.
Do you want an electrician to put in a Ring Doorbell?
No, each the wired and wi-fi video doorbells could be put in with out an electrician. The wired model solely entails low-voltage wiring which is comparatively simple to work with. Simply be certain the correct breaker is turned off earlier than you start your work. Nevertheless, don’t hesitate to rent an electrician in case you are not snug performing the work your self.
You may additionally want the assistance of an electrician should you 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. Until you rely the USB charging twine, I suppose. 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 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 greatest 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 shouldn’t be required. Nevertheless, you possibly can unlock further options with a Ring Shield Plan. Most notably, it’ll let you report video and playback previous video occasions. With out one, you’ll nonetheless get real-time notifications and might view stay video. At present, plans begin as little as $4/month or $40/yr.
Do I want to purchase the rest?
The field comes with every part you want for a fundamental set up. Nevertheless, listed below are some further purchases chances are you’ll need to contemplate:
- 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 gadget. It plugs into an outlet and performs doorbell notifications in your house, identical to a standard doorbell chime. We acquired one and love all of the sound choices.
- Wedge Package: In case you have stairs resulting in your entrance porch like ours, you’ll need your doorbell digicam angled downward to raised seize individuals approaching. This package is put in behind your doorbell’s mounting plate to tip your doorbell barely (we acquired one and it’s nice). There are additionally nook wedge kits which are accessible as nicely.
- Faceplate Covers: These are 3 completely 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 shade proven on this submit is the inventory Venetian Bronze that got here with our Ring, and we like it. It ties proper into our darkish home windows and steel 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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