# I can't hear my doorbell downstairs, what can I do? (please read OP before responding) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 28, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921 "2024-11-28T22:04:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921/1 "2024-11-28T22:04:50Z")
I don’t want a smart doorbell. I have an old-fashioned 2-wire low voltage doorbell. The button was broken for a long time, so I had put in an unwired doorbell (which I highly recommend if you need one, see below\*) with a nice loud bell that even rings twice by default. I finally fixed the old doorbell yesterday, which has always been my preference. But I had forgotten how not-so-loud it is. It’s fine for the main floor, but I can’t hear it downstairs, especially if I’m playing something on YouTube. Probably not when I’m asleep either, although I haven’t tested that. I’m wondering if there is anything I can hook up to the doorbell that could in some way trigger a 2nd bell downstairs. Or some other solution might be fine, always referring back to my opening sentence. \*Brand Tecknet, [link](https://tecknet.com/products/self-powered-wireless-doorbell) to product, waterproof and no battery; bell plugs into outlet inside the house. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921/2 "2024-11-28T22:21:21Z")
The lower level of my house is my basement, and on one of the joists under the front door there’s a low-voltage transformer that converts house current to the ~10V the doorbell requires. You can tap into the wire to the doorbell and have the main floor and lower floor doorbell ring together. However, my doorbell is the original 1957 model, so be sure a) your new doorbell takes the same voltage b) your transformer isn’t concealed in the wall and c) you’re comfortable working with electricity. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921/3 "2024-11-28T22:22:43Z")
Can’t you just get an additional wireless chime? [TECKNET Twin Self-Powered Wireless Doorbell Plug in Cordless Door Chime 1300ft Range](https://tecknet.com/products/tecknet-twin-self-powered-wireless-doorbell-plug-in-cordless-door-chime) ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921/4 "2024-11-28T22:35:25Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > be sure a) your new doorbell takes the same voltage b) your transformer isn’t concealed in the wall and c) you’re comfortable working with electricity. Thanks, unfortunately I lose out on b) unless it’s actually inside the chime unit; I’m all right with c) especially when the output is low voltage. But I am leery of running new wires through my walls. I have also discovered, on further searching, that there is something called a doorbell repeater, which wires into the existing chime unit, and then _wirelessly_ signals a second chime (which is plugged into an outlet) elsewhere inside the house. That looks like it may meet my needs. If anyone has any experience with one of those, I’d like to hear about it. > [@Reply](#): > > Can’t you just get an additional wireless chime? Thanks, I could, but now that I have the original doorbell working again, I want to continue to use it. And the one wireless chime I had was loud enough to hear downstairs. That one has been retired to the “old electrical stuff” drawer. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921/5 "2024-11-28T23:37:24Z")
I bought one about five years ago. IIRC, it worked fine. > **[Safety Technology International, Inc. STI-3300 Wireless Doorbell Extender with...](https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Technology-International-STI-3300-Hardwired/dp/B019EDQH2I)** > > STI Wireless Doorbell Extender connects to your existing traditional hard wired doorbell system and extends a new chime to hard-to-hear areas. Once the unit is wired into existing system, the included receiver can be plugged into any standard... ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921/6 "2024-11-29T03:52:51Z")
Radio Shack (remember them?) used to sell, well… stocked… a flashing light do-hicky for deaf people. Probably a _real bad_ suggestion for your problem. edit: only posted to establish an alibi ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921/7 "2024-11-29T08:05:27Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Brand Tecknet, [link](https://tecknet.com/products/self-powered-wireless-doorbell) to product, waterproof and no battery; bell plugs into outlet inside the house. Oh, I’ve been looking for something to replace our wireless doorbell, since I feel like I have to swap batteries every couple months… Didn’t know this was a thing, especially with the self-powered ringer. Thanks! Unfortunately, no contribution to your actual issue. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921/8 "2024-11-29T10:54:42Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > especially with the self-powered ringer. I’m seriously doubting that the ringer, the push button, is actually “self powered” since one of the pictures clearly states it’s only good up to 200,000 presses. I’d happily bet that it’s exactly like those ‘shake lights’, a phony mechanism with a hidden button cell. [https://tecknet.com/cdn/shop/products/3.jpg?v=1655345767](https://tecknet.com/cdn/shop/products/3.jpg?v=1655345767) ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-hear-my-doorbell-downstairs-what-can-i-do-please-read-op-before-responding/1010921/9 "2024-11-29T13:59:48Z")
It could be piezo-electric. I have a wireless switch I use to turn my disposal on and off that is powered only by the force of pushing the switch. Mine is smaller than this one, but I’d wager it’s the same. And BTW, what do you mean, **only** 200,000 pushes? How many people come to your door every day? If it’s pushed ten times a day, it will last **only** 55 years.