Does the Google Nest Doorbell (wired) have to have the chime installed if you don’t need a chime?

[CraigF]

Did not give me the option to make the product the wired version of the doorbell.. but I am finishing a home remodel of an old home and had an electrician install the nest doorbell (wired) and he told me I did not need the chime adapter if I only wanted to get the alert on my phone.  We did not install any external doorbell.  The nest app says you can damage the transformer if the chime adapter is not connected so I wanted to ask is it in issue if you just want to get doorbell notifications on your phone and don’t need a chime going off in the house?

[MplsCustomer]

@CraigF 

Your post's label says you have a new "Nest Doorbell (battery)", but it seems you may actually have the older Google Nest Hello Doorbell.

The new Google Nest Doorbell (battery) does NOT come with and does NOT use a chime connector even if it is wired. Instead, it has different circuitry that runs off of its battery and manages to trickle charge the battery without triggering your indoor chime. Judging from posts in this forum, this doesn't seem to work very well, especially when temperatures get down to around 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

The chime connector that comes with the older Google Nest Hello Doorbell serves to provide the Nest Hello with enough electricity to power the camera for continuous operation without triggering the chime in your house. If you're using your existing doorbell wiring, which usually runs to your indoor chime, and you do not install the chime connector, I think you may not have power to run the doorbell's camera. If you don't want your existing indoor chime to ring, you can turn it off in the Google Nest app. (Note also that the Nest Hello has a small internal battery that seems to be used to trigger the chime when the doorbell is pressed.)

(One of our Nest Hello Doorbells is powered by an OhmKat Power Adapter for the Nest Hello, since we didn't have existing doorbell wiring at that entrance.  This adapter is designed to provide the Nest Hello with continuous power without needing the chime connector.)

[WorldTraveler53]

Okay, so I have the same concern. I do not have a chime but have a sufficiently powerful transformer (16VAC/30VA) that should run the wired Nest Hello. The instructions say you might damage the doorbell if you don't use the chime  connect on your chime. Do I need to install a physical chime, along with the Nest Chime Connector,
or can I just go wire it directly to the transformer and get notified only by my phone?

[CraigF]

FWIW I have been using it with no Chime connector and no doorbell chime for a week and no problems and the electrician bought the transformer he needed.

[Brad]

Hi there, 

I apologize for my late response and thank you for all of your patience while waiting for a reply. I can definitely understand how frustrating your situation must be, but I wanted to make sure that your issue was addressed. Do you still need help with this issue? I know that there's been a delay in response since you posted.

Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards, 

Brad.

[Brad]

Hi there,

Just checking in to see if you still need assistance with this issue. Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards,

Brad.

[CraigF]

Can you answer the original question definitively?  My nest  doorbell has been working for 2 weeks with no problems, no external chime or chime adapter.  So apparently it won’t ruin it immediately but What about long term?

[Brad]

@CraigF

If you are referring to the 2021 Nest Doorbell (battery) then No, your transformer will not be damaged if you do not use a Chime as it does not come with a chime, and doesn't utilize one. If you are using the previous Nest Hello doorbell, then I would advise against doing so. I am no electrician, so please follow your electricians guidance on that one. 

Best regards,

Brad.

[Brad]

Hi there,

Just checking in to see if you still need assistance with this issue.  We'll leave this topic open for another 24 hrs in case there are any follow up questions or comments. Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best regards,

Brad

[Brad]

Hey Folks.

At this time, I'll go ahead and lock this thread. If you're still experiencing problems, feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.

Best Regards,

Brad.

[WorldTraveler53]

Super! I'll give it a go.Thanks.