Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit - existing wired security system and Ring Alarm required, professional installation recommended

This review is for the Ring Retrofit Kit only. Other components of the Ring Alarm System are reviewed elsewhere.I decided to install the Ring Retrofit kit to replace the legacy alarm system that came with my home. My original system had 20+ alarm circuits. I installed two retrofit kits to transfer 16 of the existing circuits to a new Ring Alarm system.This was a very doable DIY project. It will help if you have a clear understanding of your existing system. Find the wiring diagram for your old system and study it. Take lots of photos and label everything. It helps if you make sure all of your alarm circuits are working BEFORE you do the retrofit. I needed to replace two of the magnetic sensors in my windows before I could attempt the retrofit.You use the Ring app to add circuits one at a time. Disconnect the circuit from the existing system, and then connect the wires into the Ring Retrofit module. I needed to add extra length to most of the circuit wires, so you might need a spool of alarm wire, and some wire connectors to complete the circuit. Once the circuit is connected, the app will ask you to open and close the associated window/door for testing. Repeat the process for each sensor circuit that you add.Traditional alarm systems include a resistor in the circuit in order to detect tampering. My system had the resistors in the alarm box, so I could just reconnect the existing wires to the retrofit kit. A lot of reviewers are concerned about the need for resistors. My reading of the Ring documents seem to indicate that any wiring arrangement will work with the retrofit kit (resistor or not), as long as there is not a short circuit or broken wire.PROS:The retrofit kit allows you to use the existing sensors in your home. This not only saves money, but it also gives a “cleaner” look to your home when you don’t have to have clunky wireless sensors attached to each window and door.This is a project that a homeowner with a reasonable wiring knowledge can do alone. Save the cost of professional installation.Very reliable system. I’ve had zero problems after six months.There really aren’t any other options for retrofitting an older alarm system. Ring is about the only one out there.CONS:You can’t connect wired motion detectors or smoke/fire detectors to this system. Ring sells alternative devices for this, but it would be nice if you could use the devices that are already wired into your house.Each retrofit kit only supports 8 alarm circuits. I installed two retrofit kits for my system, but I really needed three. It would be nice if they was a larger capacity kit with more circuits.The retrofit modules are battery powered only. Ring claims the batteries will last years, and my batteries still show full charge after six months. However, it would be nice if you could power the modules directly, and avoid the cost and hassle of battery replacement. I was able to use the power in my old alarm system to power my new Ring keypads using the existing wiring in the walls. This isn’t an option with the retrofit kit.No Siri/ Homekit integration. Ring devices only work with Alexa. If you’re a HomeKit user, you’re out of luck. However the Ring app is very useable. This hasn’t been a problem for me.

The Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit is a game-changer! I was able to connect my old wired security sensors to my new Ring Alarm system easily. While Amazon recommends professional installation, I managed the setup without any issues by following the clear instructions.Now, I can monitor my system from the Ring app, and everything works perfectly. It’s a cost-effective solution for modernizing older security systems. Highly recommend for any DIY enthusiasts looking to upgrade!

This diminutive gadget (it’s roughly the size of a stack of 4 CD jewel cases) is designed to allow you to integrate legacy sensors from an existing old alarm system into a Ring wireless alarm system.It attaches to the Ring base wirelessly, a very simple process; and then you can connect the sensor wires to its terminals, it supports up to 8 zones. For more zones, you can add more extenders.Door and window sensors do not require any special treatment, but motion and smoke detectors will require a 12V supply with battery backup.I found an inexpensive 12V UPS that is perfect for this, although the problem is when it fails it will trigger the alarm...The huge benefit of this device, though, is that it lets you use all the existing wired sensors: no running wires, no batteries, no problem (well, the batteries in the extender)Setup is super simple thanks to the well designed app. Go to the Devices section, select the extender, and you will see all the ones. Any zone with a sensor connected is configurable, the others are grayed out.To configure a zone, you select it and then open and close the door or window; you can then name and save the zone, and it becomes enabled. Couldn’t be simpler.Very well designed device, great software, if you’re contemplating Ring and your house has an existing wired alarm system don’t hesitate, make sure you buy this extender. It’s a little pricey but worth it. Buy Ring motion detectors and use your existing door and window sensors!Very highly recommended.

The Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit is perfect for our needs and was much easier to install and configure than I expected. You do need to be comfortable with electrical wiring although the connections are all low voltage.We built our home 3 years ago and had a Honeywell system installed with every window and door monitored with hardwire contacts. I did not want to have to routinely replace batteries in battery operated contacts.You will need to remove the Zoned wires attached to your current wired alarm system one by one, test them with a continuity tester and connect them to the Retrofit Kit. I found that we had more than one (sometimes 5) windows and/or doors wired in series before they were connected to our Honeywell alarm circuit board. I had previously labeled all the zones which made it a bit easier but you still need to verify all windows and doors in a zone using the Ring app during installation, which I found very easy. I added 22 gage extension cables to each zone in the Honeywell box so the 15 plus zone cables stayed in the Honeywell alarm box and only 6 cable were routed out to the Retrofit Kit.After installation, which included 3 of the Ring 2nd gen keypads (to replace the Honeywell keypads), a Ring Motion sensor to replace the wired sensor and 1 Ring Contact sensor to replace the battery contact on our patio slider, I discovered there was a lot of flexibility to defining zones, which zones armed when in Stay mode and with armed in Away mode.Very please with the flexibility of the Ring Alarm and Retrofit Kit. Ring monitoring and very reasonable compared to local monitoring companies. Ring alarm can be configured with Alexa which will monitor your smoke detectors and glass breaking (using Alexa Guard). Arming and disarming can be done by key pad, the Ring phone app or Alexa.