How I spent 3 hours yesterday on a doorbell. :-/

[goranothos]

Well, my old dorbell finally bit the dust last week and I promised my wife I would fix it over the weekend. I heard a loud buzzing sound in the hallway just before it died, so I figured it was the transformer. I happened to know the transformer was up in our attic, because I remembered seeing it as I was running some CAT5 cable up there a few months ago. So, off I go to Lowes, purchase a new transformer for $15, and head home. Now our attic is accessed from the garage, which has a square hole that you have to use an extension ladder to get up there. Our attic also has about two feet of blown in insulation, and it is cramped enough that I cannot stand up, but rather have to traverse the length in a crouch, careful only to step on the rafter joists, which are (of course) mostly covered in insulation, and not put my feet through the drywall ceiling (that would be bad, very bad).

So I fill my pockets with tools and the new transformer, and up I go. Now last week at work I backed into a wheelchair very hard and almost fell, and my left calf feels like someone hit it with a baseball bat (lifting should be fun Monday). So here I am crab walking in a crouch across our insulation filled attic, trying to avoid heat pump ducts and not put my foot through the ceiling, and praying my calf doesn't cramp up while I'm up there. Oh, and there is no light up there either so I'm also carrying a flashlight with me. I make it to the transformer....and it's just lying on the top of the drywall ceiling, not mounted to anything. Talk about a fire hazard. Also, about this time I realize that it's wired to a hallway light junction box, and that the only way to get to the wire ends is from the inside of the house. :-(

About this time, I say f*** this, make my way back down, dust off the insulation, grab my wallet and head back to lowes. They are kind enough to give me a refund on the transformer, and I buy a wireless doorbell unit for $30. It takes me no more that twenty minutes to install the wireless system and it works great. Yes, I did access the hallway light and disconnect the old transformer wires. Next time I'm up in the attic, I'll yank it out and all the low voltage doorbell wires as well.

Moral of the story: If your doorbell dies, just get a wireless system. Yes, you have to replace the batteries every so often, but they are so much easier to deal with than the old wired kind, and no fire hazard.

[beachguy498]

Most of my "10-minute" jobs around the house balloon to a 3-hour ordeal. My house had no door bell when I bought it. I had to route the wire up the inside wall of my front porch, across the ceiling and down an inside wall of the house and into the basement. I think the whole deal took like 6 hours and I had to go buy an 18" long drill bit in the process.

Now the porch is enclosed to make a foyer, I was able to fish the wire back so the construction could happen. I think the replacement of the outside button was a true 10-minute job.

But you learned something and removed a potential fire hazard, so you done good.

Rob

[Corbi]

I installed a wireless setup a number of years back and have never regretted it. In 6 yrs I have replaced the batteries once.

[tsoden]

I cannot begin to tell you how many easy projects too me 200% longer to complete:

3 days to install a screen door
7 hours to install a garage door opener
4 hours to install a bath room light fixture

All these projects had surprises in them stopping me from getting them done on time..or in a normal time frame.

[paolo59]

Ha ha, this is classic! How many years are 'shaved' off of life, elevated blood pressure and the like, not to mention the stream of cuss words that the kids have to endure, all while trying to fix something around the house! LOL I'd have put a sticky note on the door; "Bell doesn't work, knock hard!"

[tsoden]

I cannot begin to tell you how colorful my language has become over the years with my home improvement projects.

Ha ha, this is classic! How many years are 'shaved' off of life, elevated blood pressure and the like, not to mention the stream of cuss words that the kids have to endure, all while trying to fix something around the house! LOL I'd have put a sticky note on the door; "Bell doesn't work, knock hard!"

[Brackneyc]

OP, you spent three hours on a doorbell? To me, you are like Bob Villa. IOW, if it took you 3 hours, I know it would be 6 for me.

My sons bathroom (while 100% functional), has been undone for over a year. I win the "worst project manager and completer of the year" award.

[-=FLEX=-]

Who the hell needs a doorbell?

People are annoying. I don't answer my door anyway.

[2nd_chance]

Who the hell needs a doorbell?

People are annoying. I don't answer my door anyway.

Mine sets off the boobie trap....

[taf1968]

Sounds like my 3 hour "30 minute" trailer hitch install. I can pretty much multiply the estimated time to complete most projects by 3 - 5 and it will be just about right. Nothing EVER goes as smooth as it should.

[goranothos]

Heh, I'm no Bob Villa, that's for sure. Keep it simple should be my motto when it comes to home improvement projects. When it comes to doorbells, just go wireless. Hope my experience will help some of you in the future.

[desslok]

Who the hell needs a doorbell?

People are annoying. I don't answer my door anyway.

But how else would the mormons, house alarm salesman, and kids selling candy to keep off the streets know if you are home or not?

[Simpy]

Mine sets off the boobie trap....

Do you just trap the boobies, or do you catch the whole woman?

[2nd_chance]

Do you just trap the boobies, or do you catch the whole woman?

what do you think?

[jasnija]

I dont need a doorbell. If I dont know youre coming over then your probably werent invited to begin with, therefore, no doorbell = less people in my face!

[Dr.Griefo]

I can relate to this and I feel your pain. I had the 30 minute bathroom fan exchange turn into 16 hours including trips to and from the hardware store (same thing, fire hazards, new bathroom fans are a different size then old ones) I call my house the home of the unhandy man