Hello @Trebor ,
When you say, “To hardwire my doorbell” I think you meant you just want to connect a transformer to your Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Generation, just for it to ‘trickle-recharge’ the doorbell’s internal battery, so you won’t have to physically remove the doorbell for recharging, correct? I don’t think you meant you wanted to add a transformer that not only recharges your doorbell and also makes a house indoor-mounted Bell-Chime go “Ding Dong” inside your house? But you can do it either way (with or without a house-chime).
In either case, your Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) will need a transformer with the following rating/capability:
- 8 to 24 V olts A lternating C urrent (VAC) with 40 Volt-Amps (watts) maximum and 50 to 60 Hz.
- You cannot use D irect C urrent (DC), nor halogen, nor garden-lighting transformers. All these are not compatible with your Ring Doorbell.
As long as the transformer you chose meets these criteria, it should work fine.
- Here is a link on wiring instruction, connecting transformer to your Ring Doorbell (without a house bell-chime):
https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/205180710-How-to-Connect-Your-Ring-Video-Doorbell-Directly-to-a-Low-Voltage-Transformer-Without-a-Pre-existing-Doorbell-
Since this is how to wire the transformer without the interior house bell chime, a " 50 watt 25 Ohm wirewound Resistor" is required to substitute for the electrical-load that would be present if the electrical current went through the house bell chime. A resistor is REQUIRED in place of a mechanical or electronic doorbell chime kit for this alternate configuration to work successfully. Note: If you hook up a Ring Video Doorbell directly to an AC transformer without either a resistor or an internal chime, there is a serious fire risk.
Although I don’t rate which is ‘best’ transformer, here are some choices (if you are in the USA, otherwise you would have to pick a transformer appropriate for you country’s house outlet power with compatible plugs). I also picked transformers that include the resistor you need:
- Plug-In (color:Black with Resistor):
https://www.amazon.com/Doorbell-Transformer-Resistor-Compatible-Versions/dp/B083P22M9C/
- Plug-In (color: White with Resistor):
https://www.amazon.com/Doorbell-Transformer-Resistor-Compatible-Versions/dp/B083P1TKC9/
- Mounted Transformer (with Resistor):
https://www.amazon.com/Doorbell-Transformer-Resistor-Compatible-Versions/dp/B083TKFV61/
If you pick another transformer that does not come with the 50 watt 25 Ohm Wirewound Resistor, you can purchase them separately:
- Plug-In Transformer without Resistor:
https://ring.com/collections/accessories/products/plug-in-adapter
- Another Plug-In Transformer without Resistor:
https://www.amazon.com/Transformer-Compatible-Doorbell-Thermostats-Certified/dp/B083R621RV/
- 50 watt, 25 Ohm Wirewound Resistor:
https://ring.com/collections/accessories/products/wirewound-resistor
Now if I misunderstood what you meant, and you do indeed want to have a transformer power both your Ring Doorbell and with a house bell-chime, then just wire the house bell-chime where the Resistor was, but do not use the resistor. There is no need for the resistor, because now you have the resistance-load provided by the bell-chime. In other words, just substitute a house bell-chime for the resistorduring wiring.
If you have any more technical questions or have difficulties, you can also telephone Ring Support for help:
https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360036196372-Get-in-Touch
Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19, their available hours have been changed also:
https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041597471-Ring-s-Response-to-COVID-19
I hope this information is helpful for you. 