[Greenbuilding] Doorbell options

[RT]

On Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:04:57 -0500, David Wentling <dpwentling at ymail.com>  
wrote:

> Now they are looking at transformers and doorbells. We have had limited  
> success with wireless units. Interference or corrosion issues have been  
> some problems.
>
> Is there anyone on the list, that had good stories with alternatives?
>
> Any experience with rechargeable batteries?

Around my neighbourhood, dogs seem to be the most reliable annunciators.

In particular, it seems that Black Labs are the most effective in that  
they seem to have the ability to hear someone approaching from as far away  
as 500 ft or more and seem to be able to distinguish between "regulars"  
who don't need to be announced ... and strangers, who elicit a response  
that is capable of waking the near-dead.

And therein lies the problem with dogs as door annunciators. There are  
times when it's not convenient to have the Hounds of Hell unleashed at  
full volume.

OTOH, my Malamute never barks and would be delighted to have people show  
up at the door -- more playthings for him.

I used to utilise programmable wireless door chimes for an elderly person  
whose mobility had deteriorated to the point of needing assistance to get  
up and move around.

Sending units were placed beside her favourite chair, by her bedside and  
in the bathrooms and receivers were placed throughout the house and out in  
the shop so that assistance could be summoned without fail.

I tried several systems -- senders that used 3 volt lithium button  
batteries, 1.5 volt AAA batteries (I used NiMHs) and A23 12 volt batteries.

The most reliable sending units were the ones utilising the 12 volt  
batteries. The ones using AAA and button batteries were so unreliable,  
unpredictable and quirky as to be useless.

The problem though is that rechargeable A23-size 12 volt batteries and  
chargers aren't very common, if they exist at all.

Perhaps for a doorbell system used as such, the sending units could be  
wired to a 12 volt car battery (which is rechargeable and for which  
photovoltaic trickle chargers are readily available ?

-- 
=== * ===
Rob Tom					AOD257
Kanata, Ontario, Canada

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