Cold weather concerns with Nest Doorbell Battery

[fernadno]

Hi,

Similar to some other posters here, I recently noticed that my Nest Doorbell battery (activated 2021-08-28), although wired, had lost much of its charge (down to 3%, indicated a 23 hour time to charge in Google Home app).

The 23 hour recharge estimate remained unchanged for 3 hours when kept wired to doorbell wiring.

From another recommendation on the forum, I decided to try unplugging from the doorbell wires and taking the doorbell indoors to charge via USB cable until 100%.

My doorbell remains plugged into a USB port, showing 2% charged, and an 18 hr 29 min time until full. It has been plugged in now for 1 hour, with no noticeable change in charge condition.

Outdoor temperatures have only recently dropped to below 0 degrees Celsius for longer than a few hours (max -7 degrees C).

Should I be concerned about the battery condition and how this doorbell is reacting to colder weather? Winter has yet to truly begin, and I am worried that this doorbell will not be functional as temperatures continue to drop. I know that ambient operating temperatures fall within -20 and +40 C (as indicated here).

[MplsCustomer]

Your reply ignores the fact that this thread addresses maintaining the battery charge for the Google Nest Battery Doorbell and the Google Nest Battery Camera when they are wired and  operating within the stated operating temperature of -4 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 to 40 degrees Celsius). Neither your reply or the article you referenced addresses the ability of a wired device to keep the battery charged within specified operating temperatures. If the doorbell or camera is connected to a continuous power source, the battery should not be draining and battery life should not be a concern.

Further, Google Nest Help's "Save battery for Nest cameras and doorbells" web page (https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/10901611?hl=en-CA#zippy=), under "Protect your camera from extremely cold temperatures", says: "If your camera is outdoors, try to move it someplace like under an eave so that it’s better protected from cold temperatures. Otherwise, you might want to connect your camera or doorbell to a power source so that it stays charged."

That certainly indicates that connecting one's camera or doorbell to a power source should keep the battery charged during normal operating temperatures.

[Brad]

Hello all.

Clearly we misunderstood the issue, and I sincerely apologize for our misunderstanding. I appreciate the fellow Community Members helping each other out! I love to see that. As for the issue here, our Nest Hello and other Cams can handle dust, wind, rain, and snow as it has an IP54 rating. You can learn more about this rating and how it affects our products here. With that said, these devices should be able to handle colder weather. Collecting your feedback will help determine next steps. 

Best Regards,

Brad.

[jckenny2010]

The only next steps is figuring out why the device won't charge while plugged in and cold it's either a software issue or hardware issue. These clearly weren't tested in all conditions or this wouldn't be happening. 

[Brock]

Hi Brad,

My new Nest doorbell battery camera also stopped charging when hardwired when it hit about zero degrees Celsius. Had to take it in and charge it with an adapter. When I brought it in and hooked it up to the charger it was “slow charging due to extreme temperature.” It said it was going to take 20 hours to charge. Once it was inside for about 10 mins it started charging fast again (listed to charge in 4 hours). 

perhaps it’s a software issue that if it reaches a certain temperature it won’t accept a charge at a normal rate to properly recharge while directly hard wired?

[Distant_Thunder]

And my Google Nest battery doorbell has shut itself off here in Colorado with temperatures of about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. I brought it inside and am charging it now via USB. I guess I was misled by the specs to think it would work through a normal Winter. What was I thinking? I should have installed it on the inside of the door frame so it could take a picture of me when I went to answer the knocking on my front door.

[mpb65]

Same here.  Pathetic that Google is silent on this.

[Skibigbumps]

Brad,

my battery doorbell is useless in cold weather as everyone has mentioned.

I’ve installed a wired hello and this one is now an expensive paper weigh.

totally disappointed in this product! 

[BillFerg]

Exact same issue here. Nest outdoor cams are working fine. The wired doorbell (battery) just stops working entirely. This is nuts. 

[easycompany251]

I don't think you grasp the issue in this thread.

If a device is plugged in during cold weather, why is the battery level depleting to the point the device turns off?  If anything, the device should be functioning totally off of AC power.  The wired  device may not necessarily charge the battery if it's too cold, but the battery levels should not be dropping off. 

[narisi]

Hi Brad, 

Mine is wired.  Now temps are sub zero.  It has been down for the past few days.  We realized it late.  In the subsequent reply, you mentioned that it should be able to handle cold weather fine. A "Wired" cam can still fail in sub zero temps? What are the options we have to fix this, other than returning? 

Thanks! 

[Dan_The_Man]

Same here, wired in with adapter doesn't charge it above 4 percent unless take it inside to charge on usb-c

[mpb65]

Same here.  Which defeats the point of being AC wired.  Why isn't it charging when hard-wire connected??????

[MplsCustomer]

This is just my opinion, but it seems you either have a bad doorbell or the doorbell is inherently flawed and cannot operate within the stated operating temperature. 
it makes me wonder how our battery camera will fare in Minnesota this winter. So far, our temperatures have been warmer than usual. 

[Aloha_papa]

I have exactly the same problem than you! My Nest doorbell battery is wired and now indicated it cannot streams video feed because of low battery. Hey! It's wired!It should not mattered if battery is low. It should not be low. There's definitely a problem with the software. 

[fernadno]

I want this thread to stay alive. 

What I will do (for my own sake, really) is monitor the state of my Nest Doorbell Battery charging throughout the week (average temperatures will be around freezing, so 0C and below/above -10C consistently throughout the week).

So, 1/2 day since plugging back into doorbell wiring, after charging to 100% indoor via USB-C: 

UPDATED 20############ with new column since @JeepKid hooked us up with an invaluable command:

*re-wired 20############AM ET

Date/Time	High/Low	Battery Status - Google Home	Battery % - Google Assistant
20############ @ 10PM	-2/-8 C	Plugged in / "∞"	38%
20############	-2/-6 C	Plugged in / "∞"	39%
20############	-3/-10	Plugged in / "∞"	40% (since 100% charged 12/1)
20############ @ 3PM ET	3/-10 C	Plugged in / "∞"	N/A
20############ @ 6PM ET	-2/-8 C	Plugged in / "∞"	N/A
20############ @ 11PM ET	5/-5 C	Plugged in / "∞"	N/A
20############ @ 9AM ET	5/-5 C	Plugged in / "∞"	N/A
20############ @ 6PM ET	1/-4 C	Plugged in / "∞"	N/A

---

[easycompany251]

Something you could consider trying is to use your doorbell plenty in the evening when it's coldest, just stream a live view and hold it consistently.  Then in the morning - like 9 am, disconnect the doorbell is see what kind of battery reading you get on the Home app.  Try to do it on a night that drops well below 0.

This testing methodology assumes that the Home app gives accurate battery readings once unplugged.

Just realized I could actually try this with my nest battery camera.  Put the camera on the magnetic mount and toss it into my freezer; though I would need to snake the power cord out of the freezer.  Constant live view for an hour or 2 and then disconnect the power cord to see what's going on with the battery levels.

[ks89]

any updates? thanks!

[ks89]

Would be great to hear your experience. I have the same issue and google reps have not been helpful at all…

[alirahimpour89]

I have the same issue, it's plugged in but battery drops in coldish weather, -10 - -15 Celsius... Cant imagine it handling -20... Why is the battery even used when plugged in?

[Dan_The_Man]

I am starting to wonder if using an adapter with usb-c plugged in would work better as wired solution.

[alirahimpour89]

If I remember correctly the doorbell doesn't work when charging through the USB-C port.

[staceybassoon]

I just tried this today, but it gives me the extreme temperature message and won't charge.

[dassub]

I have a few questions based on this thread, since I have my doorbell wired and have not run into these issues yet.

1. Which doorbell transformer are you using?  This is something I replaced when I installed my new battery doorbell.  I got a new 16v30va transformer and it works well.

2. How are you seeing your battery percentage when wired?  My Google Home app always just says plugged in, but I have no idea if the battery is decreasing at all.

I'm in Canada and winter is starting.  I will be keeping an eye on this just in case.

[fernadno]

@dassub 

1. Same. Brand new transformer in my case, same ratings as yours.

2. This is what we are trying to troubleshoot. We are all plugged in, therefore the infinity symbol is our battery charge status. Then out of nowhere over time, the doorbell is shutdown because:

- Battery is depleted

- Seemingly won't charge because it is "too cold".

[Dan_The_Man]

I am using following:

Wasserstein Power Supply Adapter 

Which are you using and where you live does it get to -20C and below?

[dassub]

I am using this one, so far without issue: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/heath-zenith-16vac-30va-transformer-compatible-with-all-video-door-...

Out of curiosity, I decided to flip the doorbell breaker switch this morning.  The battery reported back as being at 67% and 10 months.  I then turned the breaker back on.  Then I turned it off and checked again 8 hours later.  Still 67%.   My guess is that Google has decided to let the battery stay at 67% as the optimal charge when plugged in full time.

[MplsCustomer]

On Dec. 2, I tried flipping the switch to the outdoor outlet for our Google Nest Battery Camera.  The camera reported as "Idle" with an 87% charge and the temperature was around 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

On Dec. 3, I flipped the switch for the outside outlet again.  The camera reported as "Idle" with a 100% charge and the temperature was around 43 degrees Fahrenheit.

On Dec. 5, I flipped the switch for the outside outlet again.  The camera reported as "Idle" with a 100% charge and the temperature was around 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

On Dec. 7, I flipped the switch for the outside outlet again.  The camera reported as "Idle" with a 100% charge and the temperature has been between 3 and 9 degrees Fahrenheit for the last 24 hours.

When it's plugged in the camera reports as "Live".  We're using Google's optional 10-meter power cable.

[Dan_The_Man]

Dassub, what temperature are you getting to? Most of us using wall adapter and can't get more than 3% charge. It's about -19C going down to -40C tonight with windchill apparently so will probably die.

[jckenny2010]

Same problem here. It is plugged in but then eventually dies completely what a stupid design. If it's plugged in why the hell should it ever die? How the hell do I return this piece of junk 

[jack777]

Great thread, please keep us updated as I am doing some tests, too.

Having the same problem not charging at around -5℃. Initially there was an infinity sign without even showing battery level at full charge. A week later infinity sign was gone and battery level drops gradually to 17%. 

While I think the voltage from transformer is within spec, I suspect battery cannot be charged at low temperature even its within the said -20℃ - 40℃. If so, this is a BIG DESIGN FLAW that should have been addressed more clearly.😠

[fernadno]

Tell me about it. Temps haven't even dipped to near -20C here, even with wind factored in, where I am.

[solipsism]

I'm have been super busy but here is my update.

The doorbell basically is useless and it's been -10C for the last few days.

It dies within 15 minutes after I fully charge it inside then bring it out , connect the hard wire, no matter the features l turn off.

It's the least winter ready product I've ever owned . Guess I'll have to return this inferior product .

[firmwaredev]

Unfortunately, this is not going to be a usable doorbell in any place that even remotely has a winter.   It's dead in the water below about 25F when wired, regardless of the state of the battery prior.    Clearly the battery efficiency is just falling off a cliff at lower temps, and their design is not able to power the device from the incoming AC doorbell power only.      It's a shame, really.  I've liked it a lot, so far.   The outdoor/indoor nest battery cam I have is fine, though (wired) - at least down to the 16F it saw this morning.

[dassub]

This is very concerning. I really hope Google is watching this thread and can resolve the issue. Hopefully things like the doorbell charging characteristics can be changed via updates.

[firmwaredev]

I doubt a software update will fix this (but hope I'm wrong).    All rechargeable batteries are going to be difficult to charge at low temperatures, even though LI-ion is probably the best in this regard (and I presume it is a LI-ion battery, but don't know). The problem here is that the device apparently can't run on the incoming power alone, which would be a critical design flaw for this type of device. I would be fine with the battery not being usable/chargeable in this situation if it would just keep working on incoming power.

[MplsCustomer]

Our Google Nest Battery Camera (wired) has also been fine so far, down to 3 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday and this morning, and the battery charge, so far, remains at 100%.

Why is it that, apparently, the Google Nest Battery Doorbell's design is not able to power the device from incoming doorbell power when wired while the design of the Google Nest Battery Camera is able to power the device from incoming AC power when plugged in? Could it be that the design of the new doorbell doesn't allow powering it from doorbell voltage while also keeping the battery charged?

[firmwaredev]

Yep, same here.  Have both cameras, and the standalone Nest Battery Camera (wired) has been fine, at least down to 16F.    Given the small battery size and needing to run off of doorbell A/C, which is highly variable in its voltage levels and current capability, I presume they just designed from the ground up to be running off the battery all the time, and the incoming power is only used for trickle charging.  Unfortunately in cold weather, any rechargeable battery technology is going to have poor discharge/charge characteristics.

[Brad]

Hi there,

Wondering if when you pull it off to charge, is it still charging then? Or is it not charging at all? We know it will charge slower when cold, so that is normal for charging. I am still looking into this, thank you all for your patience! 

Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards,

Brad.

[fernadno]

Hey Brad,

I think we need to speak in specifics on this one.

When we remove the charger from the doorbell wiring, and plug it in via USB-C, yes the battery does charge.

• In doing so, some of us have had a notification in app that says that the doorbell battery is charging at a decreased rate because of cold temperatures, but once the doorbell is indoors for long enough (presumably), it warms up and this charge rate via USB-C returns to a normal rate.

In your statement "[...] We know it will charge slower when cold, so that is normal for charging" we are questioning:

• whether this is true or not to begin with 🙂 
• what is the real threshold for this "slower" charge mode, since some of us are using the doorbell well within the stated lower temperature limits.

[Brad]

@fernadno

Thank you for your response! I understand the issue here fully, I can assure you that. I am gathering specific information on this issue, so I appreciate your response on this one. If anyone else has specific steps that they have done, I would love to hear those as well!

Best Regards,

Brad.