I NEED HELP!!! ARRGHHH! - Page 2

Jenny Gump · 09-08-2004, 06:27 PM

I was in a home improvement mood today when I went to Lowes. I purchased, among other things, a new doorbell button. My previous doorbell button had actually fallen out, but you could still push the springs and the thing would ring.

Well, when I unscrewed the old button unit, I carefully took note that there were four wires, red, black, green, and yellow, however, only the black and red wires were hooked to the old unit. One on each side.

So, when I installed the new unit, of course it doesn't work.

Now I am wondering what I did wrong. Any ideas?

**Baby Lee** · 09-08-2004, 06:49 PM

And BTW - whatever is between you, your caulk, and your shower is between you, your caulk and your shower.

**Donger** · 09-08-2004, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

If pushing the button did nothing, then reversing them will probably do nothing either. As Phobes said, the button is most likely a ground interrupt, which is non-directional.
Find out what's coming out of the house and what the wires on your new unit correspond to, and report back.

There are GFIs on doorbell ringers?

ROYC75 · 09-08-2004, 06:54 PM

Hey Baby, if all that fails, go to walmart, buy a wireless, put the batteries in and mount it !

Do you know how to put the batteries in ?

What about the mounting part ?

We are here to help !

**Skip Towne** · 09-08-2004, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

There are GFIs on doorbell ringers?

Nope, the power is transformed down to 12v. Ain't no way they would put 120v to the doorbell.

**Baby Lee** · 09-08-2004, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

There are GFIs on doorbell ringers?

Not a GFI, just a ground interrupt. A break between the power and ground that is closed when the bell is depressed. That break can be closed in either direction.

chief52 · 09-08-2004, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Forget which wires you think were hooked up to the old doorbell.

Take each wire from the 4 and touch the bare portion to every other wire.

When the doorbell starts chiming, you've found your 2 wires. Ignore the other two. Hook it up to your new doorbell and test it. A doorbell is an open circuit. When you push the button, you're closing the circuit.

Easiest thing in the world.

Did you try Phob's advice? I think he explained it well...

**Donger** · 09-08-2004, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Not a GFI, just a ground interrupt. A break between the power and ground that is closed when the bell is depressed. That break can be closed in either direction.

See, this is why household electrical wiring and I don't mix.

My old house in KC didn't have any ground wires; only hot and neutral, I think you call it. I can't remember how many times I shocked myself. The worst was when I put in a new light by the door while it was raining.

Then again, I once mistakenly put a wrench over the terminals of a car battery while I had the wrench in my hand. That was unpleasant.

Jenny Gump · 09-08-2004, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Not a GFI, just a ground interrupt. A break between the power and ground that is closed when the bell is depressed. That break can be closed in either direction.

What kind of language is this? Manspeak?

**Skip Towne** · 09-08-2004, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennyGump

What kind of language is this? Manspeak?

Just make sure you don't take the splatum to ground. That can ruin the zork.

stevieray · 09-08-2004, 07:03 PM

If you'd like, we could find a volunteer to stand outside your door and chime when someone approaches.

I bet Skip will do it.

stevieray · 09-08-2004, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Then again, I once mistakenly put a wrench over the terminals of a car battery while I had the wrench in my hand. That was unpleasant.

I think I understand the shower threads now.

**Baby Lee** · 09-08-2004, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennyGump

What kind of language is this? Manspeak?

Shhhh, honey. Men are talking.

**Donger** · 09-08-2004, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Not a GFI, just a ground interrupt. A break between the power and ground that is closed when the bell is depressed. That break can be closed in either direction.

Isn't that just a switch?

**Baby Lee** · 09-08-2004, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Isn't that just a switch?

Sure, except a switch is semi-permanent. Flip on, stays on. Flip off, stays off.

But my point was, it's non-directional, so changing leads 1-for-1 isn't gonna change anything.

4th and Long · 09-08-2004, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennyGump

The only thing you have to worry about is who is going to pull up your TED hose (medical types will appreciate that one).

Appreciated.

09-08-2004, 06:27 PM
Jenny Gump Feloniously Restrained Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: MO Casino cash: $10004900	I NEED HELP!!! ARRGHHH! I was in a home improvement mood today when I went to Lowes. I purchased, among other things, a new doorbell button. My previous doorbell button had actually fallen out, but you could still push the springs and the thing would ring. Well, when I unscrewed the old button unit, I carefully took note that there were four wires, red, black, green, and yellow, however, only the black and red wires were hooked to the old unit. One on each side. So, when I installed the new unit, of course it doesn't work. Now I am wondering what I did wrong. Any ideas?
Posts: 5,171

09-08-2004, 06:49 PM	#16
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6838598	And BTW - whatever is between you, your caulk, and your shower is between you, your caulk and your shower. __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
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09-08-2004, 06:54 PM	#18
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5149400	Hey Baby, if all that fails, go to walmart, buy a wireless, put the batteries in and mount it ! Do you know how to put the batteries in ? What about the mounting part ? We are here to help ! __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
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09-08-2004, 07:03 PM	#25
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2035273	If you'd like, we could find a volunteer to stand outside your door and chime when someone approaches. I bet Skip will do it.
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