Ring Video Doorbell
Ring Doorbell Pro and Nicor 18888 Chime/transformer issues
All, I'm close to returning ~$1K worth of Ring products to Ring. This is beyond frustrating. I just moved into a newer house (6 years old) and am trying to install the Ring doorbell pro. We currently have a Nicor 18888 doorbell chime, which is a chime and transformer combo. I have two, one upstairs and one downstairs. I learned that the Nicor 18888 is not compatible. Therefore, I purchased a transformer from Amazon ([https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GND8RMQ/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o01\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GND8RMQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)) and installed it. As soon as i turned the power on, it continually chimed as if someone was laying on the doorbell. Then after speaking with Ring support (not helpful), they said that i have another transformer somewhere in the house because the Nicor 18888 is not a transformer. They are mistaken. I called the manufacturer that built my house and they confirmed that my house does not have any additional transformers anywhere. At this point, I am willing to bypass the entire chime and despite my frustration, purchase additional Ring chimes to use for sound. However, even with completely removing the Nicor 18888, i still can't get it to connect! I called Ring again and they said that i need to hire an electrician or purchase the plug in power supply. NOPE. Wife does not want me making holes in the house and I’m tired of buying more stuff to get this to work. The main reason i purchased Ring over competitors was due to their alleged ease of install. Can someone please post a picture or provide instructions on how to get this thing to work (and please not the same diagrams from Ring that I’ve received each time I call them)? See pictures of what I’m working with. Any assistance is appreciated. 
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05-02-2020 09:10:32
Responses (9)
- M
Hey neighbors! These Nicor model chimes are not compatible with the Ring Pro. They will commonly have built in transformer, but it may not be rated for the required voltage, and the wiring does not match up with a uniformed Doorbell installation that is required for the Pro to operate. That being said, we have numerous solutions for this scenario. I recommend checking out our [Chime Compatibility List](https://shop.ring.com/products/smart-lighting-bridge) to see what chime kits will work with the Pro. Another option is bypassing the chime kit with our Pro Power Kit, as explained in our [help center article](https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005974466-How-to-Bypass-your-Internal-Doorbell-with-the-Pro-Power-Kit-V2-for-Ring-Video-Doorbell-Pro-). If you still want in home chime sounds after bypassing, we offer Chime and Chime Pro devices [here](https://shop.ring.com/collections/accessories)! :)
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17-03-2020 08:08:38
HI ended up removing the Nicor 18888 chime from both the downstairs and upstairs. Then i purchased a new transformer from Home Depot. I think it was this one - [https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-16VAC-30VA-Transformer-Compatible-with-All-Video-Door-Bells-HB-130-03/309792479](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-16VAC-30VA-Transformer-Compatible-with-All-Video-Door-Bells-HB-130-03/309792479) and replaced the downstairs chime with the new transformer. Next, I disconnected the doorbell wires and connected the power wires to the new transformer. Basically I bypassed the entire Nicor doorbell system. Initially I had an issue with the transformer. I purchased one from Amazon and it didn't work. Then after numerous attempts, I got a new transformer from Home Depot, installed it and it worked. Regarding the chimes, well you can use your phone or you can purchase the external plugin chimes. We opted for the plugin chimes. They seem to work fine. Let me know if this helps or if you'd like me to upload a few pics.
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25-03-2020 04:11:02
CThank you for the info and link to home depot transformer. I too removed Nicor 18888 chime, installed new transformer and ring pro kit, and covered with blank plate. Works perfect with ring chime kit. Thank you!
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28-03-2020 05:57:27
- J
Super helpful discussion and saved me a lot of headache. I have a quick and easy solution to the Nicor issue. Please read on. I have a new home with the Nicor door bell. I took the in-wall pack out of the wall, threw away the digital bell and just used the transformer. This solution allows you to use all the existing hardware and when you are done it looks just as it did before you started. Step by step: take the walk unit out by disconnecting power and the door bell wire. Then I disassembled the unit (super easy) by removing 4 screws. This reveals the transformer and the digital bell. Remove the digital bell from the housing by removing three screws. Cut the two blue wires coming from the transformer. Keep the blue wires as long as possible because you will connect to them. Throw away the digital bell and route the blue wire out the back of the housing. Put the four screws back in the close to original condition. Use the power unit in the bypass mode and connect in-line with your door bell and transformer wires. If I can upload a picture I will. The housing goes back in the wall where it came from and the trim cover snaps back on. Super easy and works great.
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07-02-2021 06:27:55
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AThanks for the tip. You saved me a lot of head scratching on how to get my new Ring Doorbell with existing Nicor doorbell chime. Followed your steps and was able to reuse the transformer without the digital bell. Works perfect!
•3
20-02-2021 07:28:27
TVery Helpful advice on how to reuse the Nicor transformer to power the Ring Pro doorbell. I followed all your steps and it worked perfectly. Just bought a Ring plugin chime and connected it to the doorbell through the app. And we are up and running. Thanks so much for posting this information.
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14-05-2021 03:46:55
TDo you know if this method will work with the ring video wired doorbell? I just want to be sure before I cut any wires.
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22-06-2021 02:00:20
UThis must be an updated version from what I have. It looks like you only have white and black cables coming out. My version has white, black and blue.
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16-07-2021 04:05:25
GI tried this method (rewire Nicor 18888) for my Nest wired doorbell (the $60 one) and it did not work. The doorbell got powered but the lower half of the circle was flashing white, which according to the Nest App meant “power supply not compatible”’and I was directed to purchase the Nest Hardwired Transformer, which I will do
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18-08-2021 07:53:01
- F
@Jeromba - thanks for sharing! Super helpful. Any advice on how this would work when you have 2 Nicor units (1 downstairs and 1 Upstairs)? I’m assuming if I modify the 1 downstairs, that it will cause issues with the other one? To add some more nuance, I have 2 doorbells, which are both connected to both Nicor units, but I want to only switch one out for the ring pro and keep the other one as is.
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22-03-2021 05:24:15
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- G
Today, I took my Nicor 18888 out of the wall, opened it up, cut the wires attached to the little chime speaker, threaded them together with a nut to complete the circuit and wrapped with electrical tape, put the cover back on the unit, and put the unit back in the wall as it was. My Ring Wired Video Doorbell works perfectly, and the Nicor is now silent. (I’m no electrician; if anyone knows any reason why this might not be a good solution, please say so.)
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11-07-2021 10:36:05
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- G
I just completed the install of the Ring Pro 2 (wired) with the Nicor Chime Plus 2 doorbell. My previous Nicor chime was not compatible. Installed per directions, voltages all were within specifications. However constant chime as other described above. Cycled power, attempted to reset by holding for 30" (That was Ring technicians recommendations) all with no change - constant doorbell chime. I removed the power pack v3 from the set-up and reattempted. All functions and features operated normally and per expectations/specifications. Give this a shot before clipping wires to you chime - assuming you want to keep that feature for inside your home.
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11-08-2021 10:18:49
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THi @Getgood. I would advise to keep your Pro Power Kit installed. This helps regulate the correct amount of voltage going to your Ring Pro. If left uninstalled, your Ring Pro may work for a short amount of time, but there is a risk of damage and is considered unsafe. Try changing the chime settings in the Ring app under Device Settings > General Settings.
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13-08-2021 09:24:42
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nkiran01
I am in also having same issue. My new home has Nicor CAT 1888 chime which is not compatible with Ring Doorbell Pro. I read few post saying to have a different transformer replaced that can support this. But not comfortable as do not want to create any issues. So wats the best approach to solve this?
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15-03-2020 11:42:02
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