Yes, a Ring battery doorbell can be hardwired to an 8-24 VAC transformer for trickle charging, and you can disable the in-home mechanical chime in the Ring app so it only charges the battery.
The difference between wired power and ring doorbell trickle charging
When you hardwire a Ring battery doorbell to your old transformer, you are not powering the device directly like a wired-only model. The transformer delivers a low-voltage alternating current (8-24 VAC). The doorbell converts this into a small trickle charge for the battery. The doorbell still operates off the battery for all functions, including video streaming, motion detection, and two-way talk. The wired connection merely slows the battery drain. This is fundamentally different from a Ring Wired or Ring Pro, which require constant power to function. Understanding how a Ring Video Doorbell is powered helps clarify that battery models use the wires solely for maintenance charging, not as the primary energy source. If you disconnect the battery, the doorbell will stop working even if the wires are live, so if your existing chime wiring isn't compatible you may need to replace your existing wired doorbell with ring video doorbell.
What happens to the mechanical chime
To prevent this, open the Ring app, go to Device Settings, select your doorbell, and set the in-home chime settings to “No chime” or “None.” This disables the in-home chime while allowing the transformer to continue charging the battery silently. If you leave the chime enabled, the doorbell may still try to ring it during charging cycles, leading to a faint buzz or unexpected rings. If you want to keep the chime functional for visitors, you must install a Ring Chime Pro or a compatible digital chime. The simplest solution for trickle charging alone is to turn the chime off in the app. For a deeper look at battery status, you might read how to tell when a Ring doorbell is fully charged, which explains the app’s battery percentage indicator and the solid green light on the device.
When trickle charging fails or isn't enough
Even with a properly wired transformer, trickle charging has limits. In very cold weather below freezing, the battery’s chemistry slows down. The trickle charge rate cannot keep up with the power needed for frequent motion alerts or live view. Similarly, if your doorbell records a high number of events per day, the battery may still drain faster than the trickle charge replenishes it. In these cases, you will see the battery percentage drop in the Ring app. You may need to remove the battery for a full charge using the included USB cable. The transformer also may not provide enough current if it is old or undersized. If you suspect your transformer is weak, check its voltage with a multimeter or consult an electrician. Ring’s native app remains the most reliable for managing trickle charge settings.
Only Ring battery doorbells let you disable the mechanical chime in the app while keeping the wires live for trickle charging, so you never have to choose between silent charging and your existing doorbell wiring.
