Nest Doorbell Chime Connector Puck - is it needed?

[ap408]

Recently my original gen 1 nest doorbell stopped triggering the Chime so I decided to replace the doorbell

I installed a new gen2 wired nest doorbell but the chime only rings when i Do Not have the chime connector puck wired in - this is with a 16v 10a transformer which is in the compatible range.

When I wire the chime connector puck into the chime, I see the chime plunger move but not enough to hit and create the chime sound.   When I remove the connector puck, the chime rings perfectly fine and the doorbell unit is working fine without the connector.

Do I need to have the connector puck installed?  If so do I need a replacement connector puck?  Or alternately, do i need to keep the puck installed but change my transformer to a higher voltage even though it says 16v/10a which is within spec?

There have been several threads on this topic but no clear answers besides google support sometimes sending people replacement connectors.

[MplsCustomer]

@ap408 

We upgraded to a 16V 30VA transformer (from a VERY OLD 16V 10 VA transformer) several years ago to support our two 1st gen Google Nest Hello Doorbells (since the second doorbell wouldn't ring our chime; it would just move the chime plunger a little), and I've seen numerous posts from other customers who also upgraded to a 16V 30VA transformer. I believe that what you need in a transformer can also be affected by the length of your doorbell wires.

You could also have a defective chime puck. I just saw a recent post where Support indicated that if your indoor chime works WITHOUT the chime puck, this most likely indicates a defective chime puck.

And yes, you need the chime puck:

"The Nest Doorbell (wired) must be installed with the chime connector included in the box. The Nest Doorbell (battery) doesn't need the chime connector for wired or battery-powered installation.

The chime connector allows the chime’s wires to deliver constant power to the Nest Doorbell (wired) and protects your chime from damage. In addition, without the chime connector, you might experience chime buzzing or unexpected chimes."

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9247132

[ap408]

Just ordered a 16v/30va transfomer, will switch it out midweek and provide an update on whether that fixed the issue.

[ap408]

Just circling back to confirm - i replaced the 16v/10va transformer with a 16v/30va transformer and that fixed the challenge of the chime puck not being usable with the prior transformer.   Everything works smoothly now

[luckiep]

my house does not have a chime.   we have a nest gen2 wired to a 20V transformer.  is the puck even needed if you don't have a physical chime?  we would just use notifications through the home app to alert if doorbell is pressed.

[MplsCustomer]

@luckiep 

Google Nest does not seem to document whether the chime connector is needed with a wired Google Nest doorbell if you do NOT have an indoor doorbell chime, and none of their sample wiring diagrams show wiring WITHOUT an indoor doorbell chime.

We have a 1st gen Google Nest Hello Doorbell wired directly to an OhmKat Video Doorbell Power Supply and did NOT use the chime connector because OhmKat's website (https://www.ohmkat.com/products/ohmkat-video-doorbell-power-supply-compatible-with-nest-hello-no-exi...?) says "You do not nee the chime connector with OhmKat power supplies, even when installing a chime. We have built the necessary protections into our power supplies which makes the chime connector redundant."