Make Your Ring Video Doorbell Work With Your Existing Mechanical Chime

Did you buy the affordable wired Ring doorbell, Model SAT3TS, hoping it would work with your existing mechanical chime, only to discover it doesn’t? While some pricier Ring models, especially when paired with additional accessories, support mechanical chimes, the $50 Ring doorbell does not.

Here’s a budget-friendly solution: For less than $15 in parts, you can rewire your Ring video doorbell system and existing mechanical chime to work together using a WiFi relay switch and an Alexa routine. This guide will walk you through the process.

Ring Video Doorbell, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CKHPP52

Craftmade Designer Pewter Tubes Door Chime, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EP8OSQU

WiFi Smart Switch Relay Module for Home Automation, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PNLBZNG

16V Doorbell Transformer AC Power Supply, https://www.amazon.com/Doorbell-Transformer-Thermostat-Adapter-Hardwired/dp/B0FC2MH5MV

For this project, I already had my Ring Doorbell, transformer, mechanical chime, and an Alexa-controlled SmartHome.

A critical first step is ensuring your WiFi router supports a dedicated 2.4 GHz network. Many WiFi relay modules only connect over 2.4 GHz, and some routers’ Smart Connect feature can make this difficult. The relay I chose was not able to automatically connect to the 2.4 GHz band, which added an extra step in my setup.

If you can’t choose the WiFi band when adding the relay, you may need to split your networks (e.g., “House_Wifi” and “House_Wifi_2.4”) and disable Smart Connect on the router. After doing this, you’ll need to reconnect your 2.4 GHz smart devices to the newly named network. If you choose a different WiFi relay, look for one that supports momentary activation—this holds the connection just long enough for the chime to ring (some relays default to staying on until manually turned off).

Safety First: Always turn off the power at your circuit breaker or fuse box before working with your doorbell wiring to avoid electrical shock.

Understanding the Original Circuit: Most traditional doorbell systems are series circuits. Power flows from the transformer to the doorbell button (switch). When you press the button, the circuit completes, sending current through the chime, which rings, and then back to the transformer.

The New Wiring Layout (Parallel Circuit): For this solution, you need all devices—the Ring Doorbell, the WiFi relay, and the mechanical chime—wired in parallel, meaning each device is independently connected to the transformer.

I recommend attaching a wire to the transformer terminals and then wires from the devices to the terminal wires with wire nuts. This will make for a more secure connection to the transformer.

Wiring Steps:

1. Identify Transformer Terminals:

1. Your transformer should have two screw terminals (sometimes labeled “AC” or “TRANS”).

2. Connect the Ring Doorbell:

1. Attach one wire from the Ring Doorbell to one transformer terminal.
2. Connect the other wire from the Ring to the second transformer terminal.
3. Your Ring doorbell now has power and can operate normally.

3. Connect the WiFi Relay:

1. Wire the relay’s power leads (labeled 7-32V on my relay) to the transformer terminals, matching how you wired the Ring. Your relay now has power and can be set up using the app.
2. The relay module will have three main wire connections: “COM” (common), “NO” (normally open), and “NC” (normally closed). We will use the common and normally open terminals to operate the chime.

4. Connect the Mechanical Chime via the Relay:

1. Run a wire from one transformer terminal to the Common terminal on the relay.
2. Locate the “CHIME FRONT” (or simply “Front”) input terminal on your chime.
3. Run a wire from the relay’s “NO” (normally open) terminal to this “Front” terminal.
4. Run another wire from the chime’s “TRANS” (transformer return) terminal back to the other terminal on the transformer.

5. Turn power back on at the panel:

1. Verify your Ring Doorbell turns on and reconnects to the network. I had to reset the WiFi on my Ring because I created a new SSID for the 2.4 GHz band of my network.
2. Verify the relay is on by looking for a red LED.

How the Circuit Works Now:

1. The Ring gets constant power from the transformer, so it always has video and can send notifications.
2. The WiFi relay is also always powered and connects to your WiFi network.
3. When the relay is triggered (by your home automation controller, such as an Alexa routine when someone presses the Ring Doorbell), it temporarily closes the circuit between “NO” and “COM”, sending power to the chime as if you pressed a physical button, and the chime rings.

This step was the most difficult for me because the router did not have separate SSID names for the 5 and 2.4 GHz bands. I found instructions from my router's manufacturer on how to reconfigure it.

My WiFi relay works with the eWeLink app on Android and iPhone.

1. Download the eWeLink app on your phone (Android/iPhone).
2. Set relay to pairing mode by holding the lower button for 5 seconds.
3. Connect the relay to your 2.4 GHz network in the app.
4. Give your relay a unique name that you will remember, like "Doorbell Chime."
5. Set the relay to "momentary" or "inching" mode, which will automatically turn off after a set time (0.5 seconds works well).
6. Test by pressing the button in the app. The chime should ring once.

The last step is to set up an Alexa Routine that will activate the chime when someone presses the button on your Ring Doorbell.

1. Open your Alexa app to Skills:

1. In the skills menu, search for eWeLink Smart Home, and enable the skill. You will need to link your eWeLink account under the skill's settings.

2. Go to Routines in your Alexa app:

1. Tap + to add a new routine.
2. Name your new routine. I named mine "Ring Door Bell."
3. The routine is set for Home.
4. For the trigger (When), select your Ring device under “Smart Home,” then “When Doorbell Event Occurs.”
5. For the action (Alexa Will), add an action by selecting Smart Home, scroll down and select All Devices. Find the relay. I named mine "Door Chime" when I set it up in the eWeLink app. Set it to turn on. Remember, in the eWeLink app, you should have configured it to automatically turn off after .5 seconds.
6. Go back to your routine and click Finish.

2. Test the Door Chime

1. Press your Ring front door button. Your mechanical chime should work.