Nicor PrimeChime Plus 2 Electric Doorbell Kit - Doorbells for Home - Includes Selectable Ring Chimes - Basic Button, White - NICOR Lighting

Getting a smart video doorbell to play nicely with a traditional in-home chime can be surprisingly fussy. I installed the PrimeChime Plus 2 in a mid-2000s home that previously had a basic builder chime and a separate transformer. My goal was simple: power a video doorbell reliably and get a clear, audible chime inside without hacking together extra power kits or Wi‑Fi accessories. This unit did exactly that—and made the upgrade feel refreshingly straightforward.

Design and build

The PrimeChime Plus 2 is a clean, low-profile wired chime that blends into most hallways and entry areas. The enclosure is lightweight but feels well assembled, and it mounts flush to the wall with a footprint similar to many legacy chimes. In the kit I used, NICOR includes a basic white, lighted push button that’s perfectly serviceable and visually neutral. If you’re particular about hardware, the broader lineup includes Deco and Stucco button options in multiple finishes, which is a nice touch if you want the exterior hardware to match modern door sets.

Inside, the layout is sensible: clearly labeled low-voltage terminals for front and rear door circuits, and power connections for the chime itself. It supports two lighted push buttons (front and rear) and distinguishes them with different tones—handy when you want to know which entry was pressed without checking your phone.

Installation experience

The install took me around 25 minutes from power-off to test ring. I removed the old chime, found the separate transformer in a nearby utility closet, and elected to replace that transformer entirely by using the PrimeChime Plus 2’s integrated power solution. That allowed me to run line voltage directly to the chime and low-voltage out to the doorbell and buttons—no external “Pro Power Kit” or in-line resistor modules needed.

A few practical notes from the process:

• Turn off the breaker feeding the existing chime and/or transformer. Verify with a non-contact tester.
• If you’re migrating from an older setup, label the low-voltage wires (front, rear, common) before removing them. It makes reconnecting trivial.
• The chime accepts your low-voltage runs on clearly marked terminals, and polarity isn’t critical for most smart doorbells.
• If you’re using a Ring Pro, set the Chime Type in the Ring app to Mechanical. Despite this being a digital chime, the mechanical setting triggers reliably.
• If you had a Ring Pro Power Kit installed previously, remove it. The PrimeChime Plus 2 doesn’t require it.
• Mount the enclosure to a flat section of wall with room for ventilation; don’t bury it behind insulation or inside a closed cabinet.

If you prefer to keep an existing transformer, the PrimeChime Plus 2 is designed to play well with standard doorbell transformers, but I found the cleanest route was converting to its integrated power. That reduced variables and ensured my video doorbell saw a steady, adequate voltage.

As for physical fit, the new chime covered the old paint lines and anchor holes, so there was no touch-up work. The wiring channel and terminal spacing had enough room to manage two door circuits without feeling cramped.

Performance and daily use

After setup, the chime just worked. My video doorbell had consistent live view connections and prompt notifications, indicating stable power delivery. Inside the house, the chime sounded about one to two seconds after the phone alert—a perfectly acceptable delay in practice. Volume is adjustable across five levels, and there are five selectable tones. The audio is clear, if not orchestral; think confident digital chime rather than a big resonant ding-dong.

Front and rear tones are distinct, which makes the two-door capability genuinely useful. In a two-story home, I set the volume at one notch below max to balance audibility without feeling shrill. Even at full volume, the chime doesn’t distort.

The lighted push button is bright enough to find at night without being garish. If you add a second button, make sure it’s also rated for illuminated use and matches your exterior trim.

Smart doorbell compatibility

This unit is positioned as compatible with modern smart doorbells such as Ring and Nest. In my case, it powered a video doorbell that’s notoriously picky with under-spec’d transformers and handled it without drama. The key was the setup detail in the app (again, select “Mechanical” as the chime type if you’re using Ring) and avoiding extra inline components. With Nest, the process is even simpler: wire it to the chime’s low-voltage terminals and ensure the chime is powered correctly.

One side benefit of using the PrimeChime Plus 2 is that it consolidates your power and chime into one box, reducing the chances of buzzing relays, faint hums, or intermittent “stuck ring” scenarios common with mismatched transformers.

What I liked

• Reliable power for video doorbells. The integrated power solution removed guesswork and stabilized the doorbell’s performance.
• Simple, clear install. Labeling is good, and the enclosure is easy to work in.
• Two-door support with distinct tones. Practical in homes with a rear or side entry.
• Adjustable volume and tone choices. Five levels are enough to suit small to medium homes.
• Style options for buttons. The included basic white is fine; the broader catalog offers nicer finishes if you want to upgrade the exterior touchpoint.

What could be better

• Limited chime selection. Five tones cover the basics, but there’s no seasonal or “fun” pack. If you’re hoping for holiday jingles, you won’t find them here.
• Documentation for smart doorbells could be clearer. I had to rely on experience to know the best Ring app setting and to skip the power kit. Including those tips in the user guide would save time.
• Warm-up odor on first heavy testing. After repeatedly triggering the chime during setup, I noticed a faint “new electronics” smell that dissipated quickly. It never reappeared in normal use, but it’s worth noting and placing the unit where it can breathe.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners upgrading to a video doorbell who want a dependable wired chime and don’t want to juggle extra power adapters.
• Anyone replacing a dated chime and transformer, especially in homes where the transformer is buried in a crawlspace or utility area.
• People who need two-door support and want different tones for front and rear entries.

If you’re deeply invested in a wireless ecosystem and want a symphony of custom ringtones, a plug-in Wi‑Fi chime may fit you better. But if you want the classic reliability of a wired chime with smart-doorbell-friendly power, this is a strong option.

Practical tips for a smooth installation

• Pre-test your doorbell voltage at the chime terminals after power-up. You want a stable reading in the expected range before connecting your smart doorbell.
• Mount the chime in a hallway or stair landing that gives you good audibility on all floors; set volume last, after a day of living with it.
• If your home has both front and rear doors, run the second pair now—even if you don’t have a rear button yet. It’s far easier than fishing cable later.
• Keep low-voltage runs tidy and strain-relieved inside the enclosure to prevent shorts and reduce humming.

The bottom line

The PrimeChime Plus 2 modernizes a part of the home that rarely gets attention but matters daily. It consolidates the wiring, handles the power demands of smart video doorbells, and produces a clear, dependable chime with enough volume and tone flexibility for most spaces. There’s room for a friendlier smart-doorbell quick-start guide and a wider tone palette, but the fundamentals—power stability, compatibility, and build—are well executed.

Recommendation: I recommend the PrimeChime Plus 2 for homeowners who want a straightforward, reliable wired chime that plays nicely with Ring, Nest, and other smart doorbells. It’s easy to install, eliminates the need for extra power kits in most setups, and brings sensible features like two-door support and adjustable volume without unnecessary complication.