Responses (1)

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Caitlyn_Ring

Hi @martymarty004. I'd be happy to help here. You can find a product comparison of our Video Doorbells in our Help Center article [here](https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004668746-Ring-Video-Doorbells-Product-Comparison), which will lay out the technical differences between each model in a table format. We also have chime kit compatibility lists in our [Help Center](https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=chime+kit+compatibility), you'll just need to click on the article that corresponds with the Doorbell model you're interested in. Most of our battery powered Doorbells can still be hardwired to a compatible transformer and chime kit to provide a trickle charge. to the battery and to ring your internal chime kit. This includes the Video Doorbell (2nd generation). As for how long the battery lasts, this is dependent on various factors such as the amount of activity your Doorbell records, the strength of the wifi signal it's receiving, and the weather. You can anticipate getting up to a few months between charges, but again it does depend on the factors I listed previously, as everyone's home environment differs greatly. It is worth noting that the Video Doorbell Wired does not ring your internal chime kit even though it's a hardwired Doorbell. You would need a [Ring Chime](https://ring.com/products/chime-gen2) or a [compatible Alexa device](https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360031246412-Ring-Supported-Alexa-enabled-Devices) to hear audible alerts in your home when someone rings the Doorbell. You'll still receive notifications on your phone via the Ring app as well. I hope this information helps you determine which Doorbell is the best fit for you, and let me know if you have any other questions! :)

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04-10-2022 19:22:29

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martymarty004

[quote="Caitlyn_Ring, post:2, topic:161481"] You can find a product comparison of our Video Doorbells in our Help Center article [here](https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004668746-Ring-Video-Doorbells-Product-Comparison) [/quote] Thank you for your suggestion, I will look into that as soon as I can. [quote="Caitlyn_Ring, post:2, topic:161481"] It is worth noting that the Video Doorbell Wired does not ring your internal chime kit even though it’s a hardwired Doorbell [/quote] I knew about this inconvenience, and I was thinking about buying some Alexa devices to use as chimes, even though I would prefer to use my Apple HomePods. From what I saw, they shouldn’t be officially compatible with Ring, but I will try to see if an Home Assistant automation is fast enough to trigger them in a relatively short time. [quote="Caitlyn_Ring, post:2, topic:161481"] Most of our battery powered Doorbells can still be hardwired to a compatible transformer and chime kit to provide a trickle charge [/quote] Would it be better to keep them always externally powered (except for emergencies or blackouts) or should I turn on the transformer just to recharge them? (I imagine that this will not work for the wired model) Also, do I need a doorbell rain cover to protect it from heavy rain? (It will be placed under a canopy, so only heavy rain can get to it)

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05-10-2022 06:28:36

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Caitlyn_Ring

@martymarty004 When you hardwire a battery powered Doorbell, it's provided with a trickle charge that helps extend the time between when you have to manually charge the battery. The Doorbell itself is still powered off the battery, so it's up to you on whichever installation method you prefer - hardwired with a compatible transformer and chime kit for that trickle charge, or running off only the battery itself. All of the hardwired Doorbell models (such as the Doorbell Wired and the Doorbell Pro) must be wired with a compatible transformer and chime kit. You could also use the [Plug-In Adapter](https://ring.com/products/video-doorbell-plugin-adapter-gen-2) with various Doorbell models for consistent power without having to wire it in to an existing doorbell circuit. Since our Video Doorbells are designed to be installed and used outside, they are weather-resistant. The occasional exposure to heavy rain shouldn't cause any damage as long as the Doorbell is properly and securely installed. However, prolonged exposure to extreme or inclement weather can cause some wear and tear on the device. You can always reach out to our [support team](https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/213608406) with any [warranty](https://ring.com/warranty) concerns if you notice any damage or wear on your Ring Doorbell.

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05-10-2022 17:12:46

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martymarty004

Thank you for your help. I reviewed the comparison of the different models and I decided to buy a Video Doorbell Wired. Since I will have it always connected to a stable power source, there is no need for a battery, and even in the case of a sudden power outage, it wouldn't be able to connect to the internet anyway. Also, I like the smaller size of this specific model. I will also need to buy a new 24VAC transformer to replace the old and chunky one that powers my existing chime kit and a new electrical box, so it will take some time to have everything ready, but I'm pretty confident that this is the right way to go.

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05-10-2022 22:10:47

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Caitlyn_Ring

@martymarty004 You're welcome! It sounds like the Video Doorbell Wired will be a great fit, and feel free to let me know if you have any other questions. :)

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05-10-2022 23:14:25