Learn How to Have Multiple Wireless Door Chimes Work Together

Battery operated wireless door chimes have selectable operation codes so that you can set the unit you just bought for your house to not trigger your neighbours when your visitors press it. However, if you buy multiple units intending to use them all in your house (such as in a shared accommodation arrangement) it is tricky to initially set them up so that they dont trigger each other. Simply setting each Transmitter to a different code does not produce the desired result. This is due in part to the sensitivity of the Receivers and also due to the design of the units to all operate on the same wavelength. The steps below will help you set up multiple pairs of Transmitters and Receivers to work individually together. This process has been tested with the Arlec brand DC148 Wirefree Door Chime and may work with others.

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 Steps

    1
    Lay the units out on a flat surface and pull all the batteries out of all the Receivers and Transmitters you have. Wait thirty seconds before proceeding.
    2
    Put the battery back into one of the Transmitters.
    3
    Select a unique code setting on this Transmitter by following the manufacturer's instruction manual.
    4
    Put batteries into one of the Receivers. Depending on the unit you have, it may signal connection to the Transmitter (usually by beeping).
    5
    Test reception by pressing the button on the Transmitter. Chime should sound on (and only on) the Receiver in the Step above.
    6
    Remove the battery from the Transmitter. Leave the batteries in the Receiver. Wait 30 seconds before proceeding.
    7
    Repeat Steps 2 to 6 inclusive for each Transmitter/Receiver pair. If more than one of the Receivers chimes when you push the Transmitter button in Step 5, go back and select a different code in Step 3, remove the batteries from the Receiver, wait 30 seconds and then repeat Steps 4 and 5.
    8
    Wrap all the Receivers together in aluminum foil. Get about 3-4 layers of foil around all of the Receivers (you dont need to wrap them individually). The foil acts as a EMI/EMC shield from the Transmitters.
    9
    Remove the bundled Receivers to a location at least 5 metres (15 feet) from the Transmitters.
    10
    Put the batteries back into all of the Transmitters.
    11
    You can bring back and unwrap the Receivers now and test them together with their Transmitters. Only the respective Receiver should chime for each button press of a Transmitter.
    12
    If your Transmitter supports it, now select the individual tune you want for the chime following the manufacturer's instructions, so that they dont all sound the same!

Tips

    You can use a Plug-in Wireless Door Chime such as the Arlec brand DC683/DC684 to operate when any of the wireless Transmitters' buttons are pressed. This is useful in a situation where you may have the wireless chimes operating for separate people (in their bedrooms for example), but you also want a chime for the lounge area to operate when any of the buttons are pressed. Simply plug the Plug-in receiver into a plug in the desired location (i.e. lounge room) after you have set up all of the wireless Transmitter/Receiver pairs as above. The Plug-in Receiver will also chime when any of the wireless Transmitters are pressed, plus it will chime with the respective tune you have set, so you know who's being called for! BTW In this situation you dont need the Transmitter that came with the Plug-in Wireless Chime. Take the battery out and use it as a spare!
    To add another Transmitter/Receiver pair, or to swap out dead batteries, even in just one of the units, you will probably need to follow all of the steps above except Step 3 (you don't need to select another unique code) to get all pairs to work properly again. Alternatively, you can try setting up the new/flat battery pair in another location (say in your car down the road) with a code you know to be unique. The physical distance between the units should help.