Just bought a new doorbell/chime and have all new wiring so no breaks or junctions anywhere.
I have red wire from button going to transformer terminal and transformer lead from chime (red) going to other transformer terminal. Then I have the white wires from chime and button twisted together. The doorbell only works when I change ring modes or disconnect and reconnect white common wire where I twisted them.
Can someone explain what's wrong? I've tried all kinds of combinations and can't get it to work.
Thanks in advance for your time

 

Welcome to the forums.

Your wiring is correct. It sounds like you purchased an electronic chime. That type of chime requires a diode to be installed across the pushbutton. It should have come with the chime.

Post the make and model of the chime unit for further help.

 

I have a similar problem. The door chime wouldn't work with the diode in one direction, then only plays for as long as the button is held with the diode in the opposite direction. I really just wanted a regular chime with actual chimes in it, but those appear to be slim pickings these days. I'll reverse the diode and try again. Maybe it wasn't making good contact.

 

That's strange operation. Those electronic chimes run on DC. They shouldn't work at all when the button is held in as that shorts the diode out. The chime will only work with the diode in the correct orientation. Maybe the diode is bad.

 

Sorry, I didn't mention that I did try it with and without the diode.
What I bought is a Hampton Bay Model # HB-7621-02
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-...1-02/206135494

 

I thought the diode was just for the LED in the button. I tried it with the diode before I had the button trying to simulate but same thing, disconnect and reconnect commons and it chimes.

 

Try reversing the diode on the button. It has a polarity.

 

Just switched them and still no chime or LED light. Maybe the transformer?

 

The LED in the button should be illuminated when the button is NOT pressed. I would check the transformer to be sure you have 16-19Vac, and also check for 16-19Vac at the chime (temporarily short the wires together at the button). I would be surprised if you have a bad diode. They are pretty robust. You'll need a multi-meter to properly troubleshoot.

 

Thanks, I'll give it a look.

 

If the chime is sounding..... doubtful it's a bad transformer.

Worthwhile to check the voltage anyway.

Two other thoughts come to mind. Since there is an LED in the button.... that would already be a diode. You could try just reversing the wires on it. (not using diode)

The other thought is that the LED will not allow enough current to flow to run the doorbell. This is most likely the problem. You could remove the wires from the button.... connect the diode across the wires.... then try shorting and opening the wires. If the doorbell works that way.... you can't use an LED button.

Installation.... home depot/installation.pdf

 

As far as mine is concerned, I reversed the diode and it works properly now. I must have thought I reversed it originally but actually didn't.