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Pre-Installation Checklist

Before you begin the installation process, please review the following 4-point checklist to ensure the SkyBell will function correctly in your home.

1) Power Requirements

Please be sure your transformer is providing the right amount of current to the doorbell. You can do this by using a voltmeter and testing the leads at your front door as well as the terminals on the transformer itself.

SkyBell is designed to work on low voltage power from 10-36 VAC 10 VA and must be installed with a mechanical or digital doorbell to work properly. SkyBell will not work with a wireless doorbell chime.

SkyBell is designed to be connected to one transformer wire and one wire from a mechanical or wired doorbell chime. Please DO NOT attempt to connect SkyBell to a stand-alone power source like a power supply or to both terminals of a transformer. If you are not using a doorbell chime, you MUST use a 10 ohm/10 watt resistor in between one connection of a SkyBell wire to a power wire. You can find a link to buy a resistor on our 3rd-party products page.

Power Diagrams

Click the link to see all power diagrams.

WARNING: Failure to adhere to the power configuration instructions may cause damage to your SkyBell and will automatically void your warranty.

Resistor Setup Details

If you are not using a doorbell chime, you MUST use a 10 ohm / 10-watt resistor on one connection between SkyBell and the power source. Here is a detailed image of a setup for a low voltage transformer and a 12 VDC power supply.

resistor-transformer
resistor-vdc

2) Doorbell Chime Requirements

SkyBell will work with mechanical doorbell chimes without any changes.

If you have a digital doorbell chime, you’ll need to install the Digital Doorbell Adapter Accessory.

SkyBell will not work with wireless doorbell chimes or existing intercom systems.

Mechanical vs. Digital Doorbell Chime

How can you tell difference? The only way to know for sure is to actually examine the chime itself. An analog doorbell chime has two pistons that strike metallic keys to make the “Ding Dong” sound. A digital doorbell is just a speaker that digitally replicates the sound of a doorbell ring.

 

3) Router Configuration Check

There are two router configuration settings required to ensure proper operation of your SkyBell:

  1. Wi-Fi network using the 2.4 GHz band
    SkyBell requires a 2.4 GHz wireless router connection with its own SSID. SkyBell will not work on a 5 GHz wireless standard at this time. If you have a dual-band router, be sure to segregate your wireless channels and connect SkyBell to the 2.4 GHz channel prior to starting the syncing process.
  2. Wireless-N (802.11n) standard
    SkyBell is compatible with the 802.11b/802.11g and 802.11n IEEE wireless networking standards. However, as the Wireless-N standard has a significantly faster data transfer rate, we recommend this setting for the high-quality HD video data. If your router is set to “B/G” only, we recommend turning on the “BGN” mode.
    Note: In rare cases, SkyBell will not complete sync if your router is set to “B/G” or “BGN”. If your SkyBell is blinking green/blue and does not complete the sync to solid green, try changing router settings to “N-only” mode.

4) Wi-Fi Speed Check

SkyBell requires at least 1.5 Mbps of consistent upload speeds and a full-time, fast-speed internet connection.

Please test your Wi-Fi signal strength at your front door.  To do this, follow these steps to conduct a speed test for your Wi-Fi network from your doorbell:

  1. Download one of the following apps: Android Speed Test App – iOS Speed Test App.
  2. Place your smartphone next to SkyBell and make sure your door is closed.
  3. Tap “Begin Test”.
  4. Record the values for “Download” and “Upload” speed.

If you are below this speed level, try the following:

  1. Move your router closer to the SkyBell.
  2. Add a Wi-Fi Range Extender.
  3. Increase your bandwidth/connection speeds from your service provider.

If you don’t have sufficient signal strength, you’ll need to move your router closer to SkyBell or purchase a Wi-Fi extender. The Wi-Fi extender we recommend can be found on our 3rd-party products page.

If you have difficulty syncing SkyBell at the start, your video feed does not load even though you receive a push notification, or you experience latency during the video feed, you may need a Wi-Fi range extender or a more modern router, even if your Speed Test score is within the acceptable range.

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