Can the SkyBell Doorbell Camera be used without a chime?
Yes. However, the power requirements are different when installing a SkyBell Doorbell Camera without a chime. The SkyBell Doorbell Camera will either require a 10 Ohm 10 Watt resistor with 5% tolerance on the existing AC transformer’s circuit or a DC adapter rated at 12 VDC 0.5–1.0 Amps.
Installing a SkyBell Doorbell Camera without a chime is typically done for testing or demonstration. It is recommended to install the SkyBell Doorbell Camera in an existing doorbell circuit (i.e., a circuit with a doorbell button, chime, and transformer) to make installation easier and to provide the most usability.
Connect the SkyBell Doorbell Camera to an AC transformer
The transformer should be rated 16–24 VAC, 10 VA for a single SkyBell Doorbell Camera. A 10 Ohm 10 Watt resistor with 5% tolerance must be used to replace the chime. The SkyBell Doorbell Camera must function as part of a complete circuit, meaning it requires direct power on one side and a wired doorbell or the resistor on the other.
Caution: Failure to install a 10 Ohm 10 Watt resistor with 5% tolerance when using an AC transformer with no chime may result in damage to the SkyBell Doorbell Camera.
SkyBell Doorbell Camera power diagram
Recommended hardware
For all setups with a standalone AC transformer and no chime, use a 10 Watt 10 Ohm resistor.
- If connecting one SkyBell Doorbell Camera to an AC transformer, use a transformer rated at 16 VAC 10 VA. The maximum is 15 VA per SkyBell Doorbell Camera; any higher could damage the device.
- If connecting two SkyBell Doorbell Cameras to one AC transformer, use a transformer rated at 16 VAC 20 VA. The maximum is 30 VA so that each SkyBell Doorbell Camera is within the range of 10-15 VA.
Connect the SkyBell Doorbell Camera to a DC adapter
Verify the adapter is exactly 12 VDC 0.5–1.0 Amps. No additional hardware is required since this is the exact power draw needed for the SkyBell Doorbell Camera. A 12 VDC adapter is only used in no-chime setups.
Caution: If the DC Power adapter has an amperage above 1, add a 10 Ohm 10 Watt resistor with 5% tolerance to the circuit — the power draw will be too significant for the device to manage otherwise.
To attach the DC adapter to the SkyBell Doorbell Camera:
- Cut off the barrel plug.
- Strip the wires just enough to let them make good contact with the SkyBell Doorbell Camera’s terminals.
- Attach the wires to the SkyBell Doorbell Camera terminals — polarity does not matter.