Use a 20VAC trans for a 16VAC doorbell?

j_sun

Hi,
I picked up a new doorbell and it says it requires a 16VAC txfmr. The doorbell I am replacing uses a 20VAC one. Is there typically a tolerance on these doorbells or do I need to get the exact voltage they are saying? (Which, not surprisingly, seems to be only made by the same company)

Thanks,
Jason

stickboy1375

If the manufacture says 16 VAC, then I would stick to that voltage. They probably know what they are talking about.

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ddawg16

I agree with stickboy......

If it was 18Vac and you had a pretty good distance to go....ok....but at 20Vac.....unless you have small gauge wire..good chance the new door bell will not last long.

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kbsparky

Are you sure your old transformer is 20 VOLTS and not 20 VA (watts)?

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stickboy1375

Typical multitap transformer..

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dmxtothemax

You can use a resistor to drop that extra 4 volts !
But we need to know how much current the doorbell uses ?
Do you know ?

Auger01

CLose enough for me. I bet you a doughnut that the "20 volt" transformer is at least 2 volts either way off of 20 volts.