If your camera runs on battery power, Murphy’s Law says it will run out at the most inopportune moment. That’s it, the movie is over before it starts…
Your Ring Doorbell Battery’s dead battery will upset you just as much. The difference from movies is that the Ring Doorbell is responsible for your safety and your home. And while a video camera battery will only briefly interrupt your inspiration and the flight of your thoughts, a non-working video doorbell can cost you a lot more. Remember how your life stops when your phone battery is dead…
Ring doorbells are on the rise now, with ring producing doorbells of different models with similar and slightly different features and functionalities. But one of the biggest differences among these models is the battery powering each device. Let’s take a look at the things you need to know before choosing which doorbell is right for you.
I’m positive you’ve probably heard about the increasingly popular Ring doorbell. This technology, owned by Amazon, is a doorbell system that you install in homes and establishments to guarantee security.
This piece of technology contains a sensor known as a motion detector that is capable of detecting motion of up to 30 feet away. When this technology detects motion, it activates its camera, thereby, taking a video of the surrounding area.
T his piece of technology is handy, as it helps identify and, in many occasions, chase away potential thieves. In addition to its features, the Ring doorbell also has a two-way microphone that enables you to talk through.
Types of Ring doorbells
Wireless doorbells are gaining popularity lately compared to traditional ones, and that’s because of their smart features, and also their wireless nature which requires less work and drilling. Ring has designed several doorbell devices with innovative features and capabilities. Examples of Ring doorbell models are:
- Ring Video Doorbell 1
- Ring Video Doorbell 2
- Ring Video Doorbell 3
- Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro
- Ring Video Doorbell Elite
- Ring Peephole Cam
But the Ring doorbell 1 and Ring 2 are the most popular wireless doorbells out there. And for the sake of that, this article will be focusing most on both Ring doorbells
How Do They Work?
Another great thing about these two Ring doorbells is that they are both easy to install, and they do not require professional installation, you can do that yourself. The Ring doorbells are not complete home security. Rather, they are designed to alert you when they detect motion something unusual. It is now up to you to alert the securities or not.
How can the Ring doorbell be powered?
The Ring doorbell home security device is a very simple and useful product. It comes with an internal battery that you can recharge when low. Consecutively, the Ring doorbell device can be hardwired to your house if there are required hookups on your door.
So, the choice is really yours, whether you prefer hardwiring you Ring doorbell or you want it with the battery. A really quick note is that the hardwired Ring doorbell device does not actually run its operations using the wired power. It still, one way or the other, relies on the battery for that. But the big question now is that “what batteries does a Ring doorbell use?”
The Ring doorbell comes with a hefty, 6,100mAh Lithium battery which powers your device for up to 6 months. This depends on the light and motion settings.
And YES! The Ring doorbell battery can be replaced. I know you are curious as to know whether your Ring doorbell battery can be replaced or not. The answer is yes.
The Battery Life of Different Ring Doorbell Models
Like I said earlier, Ring doorbell is a handy smart home security system that allows you to monitor every activity at your front door always. If you are new to using the Ring doorbell or probably you’re thinking of getting one for your home, you might just be wondering what the Ring doorbell battery life is.
Ring Video Doorbell 1
The Ring doorbell 1 is the unique model produced by Ring. They claims this model should have a battery life of 6 to 12 months. The results gotten while trying to prove this claim were a little bit surprising. Well, some people said their doorbells lasted at least the six months as claimed by Ring, others claimed a battery life of only one to two months.
Ring Video Doorbell 2
The Ring doorbell 2 which is the second model of video doorbell by Ring also claims to have the same battery life as the first, which is 6 to 12 months. It looked like Ring may have heard the complaints from users and succeededin improving the battery life when compared to the first model.
They also recognized the large inconvenience of going 5 to 10 hours without a doorbell during the charging period. They answered this by providing removable rechargeable battery packs.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro doesn’t have an onboard battery. This device draws power from an existing doorbell.
Ring Doorbell Elite
S imilar to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro device, this model also doesn’t use an onboard battery. This device relies on power over ethernet (PoE). The power will be delivered to this unit using the same ethernet cable used to provide a wired internet connection for the doorbell.
So, you should be rest assured that once you exhaust the Ring doorbell battery life, it can easily be recharged or replaced.
The new removable battery is much easier to charge: All you have to do is just to unscrew the front panel of the doorbell system and slide the battery out in other to charge. You can as well get a spare battery while you charge the other one and use them alternately.
Are you having trouble removing Ring doorbell battery? Click here, or watch the tutorial here….
How do I charge my Ring Doorbell 2?
The Ring doorbell 2 battery comes with a common micro-USB port beneath it which can be used to recharge your Ring doorbell 2 battery with a micro-USB cable of the same size. The micro-USB cable can be plugged into any USB power source such as an A/C socket or directly to a computer USB port.
Even if your Ring doorbell is hardwired, you still have to charge your battery despite the fact that the device will receive a trickle charge from the wiring.
To charge your Ring Doorbell 2 battery, follow the steps below;
- Unscrew the security screw which is located at the base of the doorbell.
- Then take out the battery by pressing the release tab.
- After that, connect your micro-USB cord to the Ring doorbell’s USB port in the battery.
- The ring-shaped light at the front of the doorbell will fill as the Ring doorbell battery charges.
You can watch the tutorial on how to charge your Ring doorbell battery here…
How often do you need to recharge your Ring doorbell battery?
The answer to this question is simple, you need to recharge your Ring doorbell 1 battery or your Ring doorbell 2 battery once it is flat. Although, the battery life depends on the usage and the activities you use it for.
But some real-life users of the Ring doorbell in cold climates claim they charge their doorbell battery every two weeks, some said they do charge theirs every week.
Nonetheless, according to Ring, they admit that the doorbell battery drains quickly in cold climates, especially climates below 40°F.
How do I know my Ring doorbell battery is charged?
The Ring doorbell 1 and Ring doorbell 2 are both powered with rechargeable Lithium batteries. So, to help you keep your Ring doorbell working at full capacity, you need to know how to check your doorbell’s battery level. To check the battery level of your Ring doorbell at any time, even while charging, you should use the Ring mobile application. This mobile application, designed by Ring helps you keep tab on your doorbell’s performance at all time.
With the Ring mobile application, select the device, and then you can view the battery icon in the top right corner of your screen. When the battery is low, the Ring mobile application will alert you that your battery is low, and needs to be recharged. And also, when the battery is full, you can view it using the mobile application so as to unplug it.
You can follow the steps below to check the battery level of your Ring doorbell:
- Open the Ring mobile application
- Select the doorbell
- Then view the battery bar at the top right corner of your screen.
Ring Doorbell Battery Charging Tips
To ensure your battery lasts longer, make sure you recharge your battery-operated Ring doorbell before the battery runs out completely, or you may have to setup your doorbell over again.
According to Ring, the estimated time it takes the Ring doorbell battery to fully charge is 4 to 12 hours. So, for you not to have any lapses in doorbell coverage, it is advisable you purchase a spare Ring battery to use when you are charging the original battery. Click here to get a Ring battery pack.
Increasing Ring Doorbell Battery Life
The more features you run and the more activations your doorbell receives, the quicker your batteries drain. If you are looking to increase the battery life of your Ring doorbell, try some of the tips below.
- Change smart alert to standard setting
- Minimize the time on two way communication
- Reduce motion sensitivity level
- Motion zones should be specified
Conclusion
From preventing crime before it happens to making your neighborhood a safer place, the benefits of using a ring doorbell cannot be overemphasized. Nevertheless, installing a wireless doorbell in your home increases the safety of your home even when you are away from home.