jillmark99 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I have a very strange issue with my doorbell and wondering if anyone else has experienced the same or could offer a solution. I have my doorbell hooked up to my C4 system. The button is hooked up to a contact and the bell is triggered by a relay. Both are either connected to my HC-800 or the IO Extender, can't remember which one but don't think it would make any difference. It has been hooked up for about a year and yes my button does NOT have a light. My doorbell works great when the weather is good, but when there is heavy rain or a just before, during or after a thunderstorm it goes crazy. It rings and rings and rings as if someone is standing outside in the rain pushing the button.At first i thought that maybe water from the rain was getting into the button from around the edges and completing the circuit in the button so i put some clear caulking around it but that made no difference. I'm thinking there must be a high energy in the air or the moisture in the air that is somehow completing the circuit at the switch and causing the system to trigger. My button is as basic as they get with no light.One time, when it wasn't even raining, there was a huge bolt of lightning that shot through the sky and my doorbell rang at that exact moment as well.I'm at my wits end and almost ready to unhook it unless someone can offer some help. Is there maybe a way to adjust the sensitivity on the contact? I'm guessing thats a dumb question but can't hurt to ask.Your help would be appreciated.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Yep. this is seen more often in areas with heavy thunder and less than great grounding in houses.You'll need to either connect via an Elk doorbell unit, or go the hack way and instead of a direct connection, put a contact sensor near the doorbell coil, then when someone pushes it energizes the coil, closing the contact.Some have had better luck using Card Access or Axxess contact sensors vs going direct to a controller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillmark99 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 I will give that a try. Thanks for the suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrobinson1327 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 It might be the lightning...last night 9 cars pulled in my driveway, yet no actual cars. Lightning was setting off my driveway sensor. Buried in the concrete too! Maybe try a doorbell button that requires a further push than others, or I use the axxess zigbee doorbell button. Battery powered, not very expensive and works really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillmark99 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 I had the Axxis button and didn't care for it. I'm going to try Cy's suggestion above first. If that doesn't work I will try a different button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 ive seen this with lightning before......but is rare, i actually removed the elk piece and the bulb, then wired direct to a controller which fixed my issue....lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstafford388 Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Being that we get an insane amount of lighting here in tampa, I've seen this at a handful of houses as well. I have noticed buying the $40 doorbell instead of the $12 doorbell does seem to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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