@nchantim wrote:
I had a Ring Pro (powered by existing doorbell wiring). When I “upgraded” to a Video Doorbell 3+, the user-defined motion zones (one of the most useful features) is not there!
When I researched, it’s only available for “wired devices”. My Ring 3+ IS wired… it just happens to also have a battery. I don’t know if this feature is missing solely as a cost saver, or if it’s too much power required on the part of the device - but I don’t see why it shouldn’t be an option - the Ring3+ is sipping exactly the same electricity as the Ring Pro was.
If a Ring device has electrical power attached to it by wires, does Not necessary mean it is a “Wired” device. Ring’s definition for ‘wired devices’ means it is powered by the electricity from the hardwire connection (such as Ring Doorbell Pro, Indoor Cam, Plug-in Stick-Up cam, etc.). All of the Ring VIdeo Doorbells ARE Battery operated (the Ring Pro Doorbell is the exception). Connecting electrical wires to these only recharges the battery. In other words, the battery is actually what is powering the Video Doorbell. Your Doorbell cannot and does not work/run off main-connection power.
https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038220912-Ring-Video-Doorbell-3-Plus-Information
Note on the page of this link, it states:
" **Power Supply** \> Rechargable, Quick release **battery pack**"
"Can be hardwired to an existing doorbell system or transformer with 8-24 VAC, 40VA max, 50/60Hz **for continuous charging**"
Your old Ring Video Doorbell Pro was really running off the hardwire. But the other Doorbell models always runs via Battery power, regardless if you have hardware connection supplying current or not. The hardwired can ONLY trickle-charge the battery and you can verify this with your phone app. On the Doorbell setting page, in the upper-right-corner you should see the Battery Icon with a lightening-bolt in it. If the lightening-bolt is not in the Battery Icon, then your hardwired is NOT trickle-charging, even if the wires are connected. Also, look at Doorbell’s “Device Health” page and it should have “Power Source” as “Hardwired” which means it is “Trickle-Charge” enabled. It is also not uncommon to see the battery’s power level drop under frequent demand situations, and later the wired “trickle-charge” will be able to restore the battery back to 100% level gradually when demand decreases. I know and agree, it is more confusing when you see “Power Source” as “Hardwired.” Also, if you do not see the lightening-bolt or the word “Hardwired”, then your battery will not charge, even if the hard-wires are physically connected. If you don’t see these, your Doorbell will only be running on the battery, without getting recharged, and then once the battery becomes critically low, the device will stop working.
So, finally back to your original statement of, “the user-defined motion zones.” These are available on Ring devices that can run on power via wires. This High-energy draining feature could potentially deplete a battery faster than the “trickle-charging” could keep up, hence you only have a more simpler (low energy) motion zone control.
So the part of your initial statement, “it’s too much power required on the part of the device” is correct. I hope you find this clarification helpful. 