Ring Spotlight Cam Mount - Control External Lights Feature is Now Working!

[@sheilabarry1521]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We just installed this camera the same way and could not get the external lights to work. Called Ring twice - the first time they said that this feature only works with other Ring lights and the manual is wrong - LOL. The second time they said we need a firmware update they haven't created yet. They are clearly lacking in the tech support area. After watching your video, we realized we chose "spotlight cam wired" instead of "spotlight cam mount" when setting up the device. After changing that everything works as expected. Thanks for the great video and help.

[@rodrobinson6111]

Another awesome video!!!! Your videos are so informative, and I appreciate u taking the time to show us these things!!! Keep them coming!!!

[@LifeHackster]

Thank You. I appreciate it.

[@jcm9698]

Love the idea of the FrankenRing, gives more options to use better floodlights. I have an area where I have been debating on getting another Ring floodlight, but with the downspout of the gutter has prevented me from getting one. This is the perfect solution! Thanks again for your reviews and ideas....

[@LifeHackster]

You are welcome.

[@zachstuff]

Now I want to go take apart my Ring plug in cam and wire one of these bad boys up!!! Thanks for the updates!

[@LifeHackster]

You can only do this with the mount version of the spotlight unless Ring sells the "wiring harness" of the mount separately.

[@mocobb4791]

Me too.

[@mocobb4791]

Ring is coming out with the new Ring Beams floodlights next month, if I remember correctly you can take out the motion sensor and replace it with the spotlight camera. That's what I plan to do. They were supposed to come out with the 'beams' this month but I guess there some type of delay.

[@gojeffgordon24]

I agree on wishing Ring would allow you to purchase the mount bracket for the wired version. I got the wired one and cut the plug, ran the wire in the pvc conduit I had going to the mounting spot and spliced the wires back to the plug. Couldn’t see paying that much more for the mount version.

[@LifeHackster]

I wish they do. The only thing about cutting the cable is that Ring will void the warranty. So, don't tell them :)

[@Ben-sn8ov]

I got a spotlight mount and was all excited to frankenring my existing motion sensor light (I like my existing floodlight because it's really bright 5000K daylight color puts out about 2500 lumens). When I removed my existing floodlight the internal components consisted of a computer board, heat sink, resistors, etc instead of instead of just black, white, red, and green wires. The motion sensor wires (each consists of 5 tiny wires) plugs into the board. I quickly realized that I wasn't going to be able to frankenring this motion sensor light. I figured I'd have to buy a different one to attach my Ring spotlight camera to. I was told that most LED lights with integrated lights were the "computer board style", but the one you found isn't that way. My question is, when you were shopping for the Hyperikon LED floodlight, what do you look for to make sure it's just the basic wiring of black, white, red, and green wires for the internal wiring components instead of a computer board? Is there something in the description I should look for?

[@Mushroomisafungus]

Sry

[@anthonyhall9453]

Hello LifeHacker, thank you very much for posting this as I had the same problem as you. Under current version of Ring App (iOS), there is no longer a Ring Spotlight Mount choice when setting up the camera. I found that if I scanned the barcode on the back of the camera instead of the QR code the camera was recognized as a Mount instead of a Wired. The LEDs on my Ring Spotlight Mount failed, so needed to add "Auxiliary Light Control' for external lights.

[@JeremyBear]

Would you rather have a franken ring or a floodlight cam? I already have LED floodlights installed on my home and there is no price difference in the spotlight mount and the floodlight cam.

[@juanriv01]

@lifehackster Thanks for sharing, I was about to return the second Spot Light. If your not paying attention to the setup you’ll miss it

[@Fleed907]

I am thinking of getting Ring Doorbell to start with this system. But I’m reluctant after reading reviews about the delay between actual ring button press and the notification on ur phone and then loading up the app. Some say the notifications arrive after 45 seconds from action. They say Ring always blame the wifi where in many cases the broadband is fibre optic super fast and the router is few meters away. They also say the system and customer service more fits the US market rather than the UK.

[@LifeHackster]

On any doorbell system as far as I have tested there is going to be a delay..the doorbell press to notification is not the issue, it is usually within a few seconds but the loading of the app. and if you have the WiFi to doorbell camera connection dialed in, it is the WiFi/mobile connection of your smart phone which really depends on where you are when you receive the notification.

[@fb1781]

I wouldn't worry about the delay, getting the app to open is a different issue. I find the majority of the time the app will not connect to my camera when a notification is received. I have read many similar threads where people are having the same issue.

[@mocobb4791]

I've never had a problem with connecting with my wifi connection once I added 2 wifi extenders to my home, the issue is with my LTE connection through Sprint. I literally have 3 or 4 bars and it says my phone is having problems connecting to Ring, this is daily problem for me at work. My walls are pretty thick at work but I have no issues with IG and KZbin.

[@hollywoodwear123]

This is a great video, thank you for providing so many details. I watched other of your videos, and I am set to get the ring system to secure my home as I am moving away for about a year. My question is, do you know if ring has the ability to switch from Wifi to a hotspot, in the event the WiFi goes down? I am planning on leaving my old Iphone plugged in the house to serve as a hotspot. It will be connected to a power bank, in the event power also goes out. Before I purchase Ring, I want to be sure that a hotspot set up is possible. Any ideas? Thanks!

[@LifeHackster]

As to switching to Hot spot..I don't think it will. I haven't even tested if it will connect to a Hotspot.

[@net2jon]

On the Mount version, can you turn on the built in light strips using a schedule like the Floodlight version? I know previously you couldn't. I want to use the mount version on a small area and I don't want those super bright floodlights.

[@LifeHackster]

No light scheduling on the spotlight cams at this time.

[@googlee5688]

Great video! Also will you be doing another update video of the ring video doorbell pro?

[@googlee5688]

Plz reply

[@LifeHackster]

Probably in the near future.

[@Ben-sn8ov]

Does the motion sensor automatically turn on the floodlights (or any other external lights wired up to the switch leg), or does that have to be done manually each time in the app? Also, if used to replace the motion sensor on a Dawn-to-Dusk floodlight, do you lose the dawn-to-dusk feature of the light? If so, it's not really a deal breaker, just curious. I've been waiting to purchase one of the Spotlight Mount Cams until this feature was fixed. As always, great video!

[@LifeHackster]

As long as you hook up the Ring's red wire to the hot wire of the lights, it will control the light just like the camera's spotlights which it will turn on when motion is detected at night and you can manually turn on or off the lights via the app. No dusk til dawn feature on the Ring so, that feature will not work anymore.

[@davechamberlin6675]

So I have a Ring floodlight that no longer want to use, and have a setup in the soffit to run the mount version. Can I simply buy the wall plates and utilize just the camera from my floodlight? That would save oodles over buying a new cam by only having to buy the plates.

[@LifeHackster]

I don't think the Floodlights' camera is removable plus it doesn't have the LED spotlight strip so you will lose the light functionality. Also, Ring doesn't sell just the mounting plates at this time.

[@dmorales125]

Your videos always great and come in handy when I am checking on any updates or how to's. Question I have can I convert my battery powered spotlight cam to work with the frankenring?

[@dmorales125]

First Name thanks makes sense.

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks First Name for answering and yes, it is only available with Ring spotlight cam "mount" version. I am thinking the battery powered spotlights that Ring is going to release will have some integration with the cameras...we will see when it comes out.

[@THEM-ODC39OFFICIAL]

It looks like a ring floodlight cam 4:23

[@dambro1]

Just seeing this video now. If I want to change the lights on the floodlight camera to brighter lights will the new lights work like the supplied lights from ring. I realize this is a little different from using the spotlight camera. But I don’t see why not since I’m just swapping out the lights.

[@LifeHackster]

The ring floodlight camera’s Lights can’t be replaced..

[@qtran101]

awesome video. Can the franken lights be turned off independently of the spotlight cam mount? This is in case I just want a little light and not full blown floodlights.

[@LifeHackster]

For now, the only way is to turn off" external light control" in the settings.

[@jamesjamias6796]

another great informative video! Thank you Kuya.

[@LifeHackster]

You are welcome.

[@davidfinlayson8829]

NOT WORKING! New firmware has shut-down this feature. Two weeks ago, many support calls. Support did not know about the feature. When escalated, they were told it is in BETA. NEW status from support on July 20, 2019. This feature was active, but was removed and will NO LONGER be supported. I think I understand what happened. They shipped all these things with the red wire exposed. If someone turns on the external light option, and they did not wire an external light, they are probably blowing breakers - or worse! Still, this is stupid. They should update the installation section of the manuals to cap the red wire if not in use. This would be proper electricians instructions no matter what.

[@LifeHackster]

I guess they always have an issue with this and probably caused issues with other camera’s features.

[@JU-dk2we]

Does this still work? Just watched and was making sure before ordering the light

[@speedracer9132]

Does the spotlight cam siren go off when the ring alarm siren is triggered?

[@LifeHackster]

Not at this time yet. You can make it to start recording or turn on the lights.

[@ramunesoda73395]

im scared to install my mount version because someone said it caught fire on an Amazon review, not sure if it was true or not

[@mikeholandez]

That's great news!

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks.

[@swoffhome]

Do you think I could hook up external lights to the Floodlight version? That way I could add 2 more lights to the 2 it comes with?

[@abbeypas]

Yes this you can do with Flood light cam , no issue at all. Ring says nothing over 150 watts so if your using led should be a none issue.

[@pacocruz4156]

Hopefully ring updates spotlight battery with advanced motion detection for those who have it connected to solar panels.

[@LifeHackster]

I know they are planning to do this but no timeline yet.

[@gary1412]

Watching this while eating sisig with jasmine rice.

[@LifeHackster]

:)

[@jarrettaylors.5251]

Does this hack still work for the mount version? Or did ring remove the “control external light” option from the app?

[@lilic724]

Hi 👋 LifeHackster do you know why my spotlight battery camera sometimes liveview don’t work I call ring support they want me to do a reset and it works for sometime and stop working again

[@LifeHackster]

Just like what First Name said..weak or bad signal on your WiFi..check the RRSI level in device health..lower the better e.g. 60 and below.

[@lilic724]

LifeHackster I don’t think it’s WiFi problem I’m using Netgear Orbi and my doorbell pro works fine , and floodlight camera , just the spotlight battery only show spinning circles

[@anthonylazogue7810]

just installed these for a client but the floodlights won’t turn off. any idea why?

[@CB57]

Is this feature still available/working?

[@juanrenteria8720]

Would this work with a wireless camera?

[@LifeHackster]

No it will not just because the light needs electrical power.

[@mikefong5555]

Well, Ring has removed the Control External Lights in Device Settings from the latest App 03-21-2019 .. :(, was told has to wait again...

[@LifeHackster]

I still have it on mine.

[@mikefong5555]

@@LifeHackster The version of the app i have installed is 3.11.1 and updated 3-21-2019, can you double check on yours, thanks

[@AbdulAziz-xu4ex]

Mine doesn't have control external lights in device setting either.

[@a.santos634]

I wanna know when are they gonna come up with the battery cam update with the motion zone setting on the ring spotlight battery. But awesome video keep up the good work I always enjoy learning new thing on ur channel thanks

[@LifeHackster]

There is no timeline yet but I know that they are planning to release this feature this year.

[@a.santos634]

LifeHackster oh ok cool thanks

[@chrisyork6520]

Must call ring and tell them to enable the relay or it won't work. Spent 45minutes on the help line with 5 people to figure this out. 4 of them didn't even know it was possible to power an external light. The magic words are enable the relay for the mount.

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for the info. Their technical support might need some more training.

[@jvarsity27]

Hey Chris is your relay for this feature still working? They are giving me hell about this feature has been removed from the ring until further notice despite me asking them to “enable the relay for the mount” because mine shows up in the app as spotlight cam wired when it’s actually hard wired.

[@jvarsity27]

Never mind I figured it out, you have to ask to speak to a level 2 Technician and ask them to enable the relay for the mount light feature.

[@jvarsity27]

I figured it out, you have to ask to speak to a level 2 Technician and ask them to enable the relay for the mount light feature.

[@dickyharsojo1894]

Can someone confirm if this feature still working as of today (jan 2020)?

[@pepeelyuma]

Can you change the light color of the floodlight from soft white to bright white??

[@fredrapp9205]

Is there an option to set lights on a time schedule?

[@talpolano4549]

How about doing it also to reolink? Will it work?

[@LifeHackster]

This feature is only on the "mount" version of the spotlight cam with Ring.

[@talpolano4549]

@@LifeHackster what will you recommend on a solar powered security cam with microsd and has a led lights??

[@dickyharsojo1894]

Can someone please confirm if this feature still working as of today (jan 2020)?

[@steedferns]

Doesn't show up with mine. I bought 2 mount versions and selected mount during setup

[@keimult]

Imma look at the view of the camera next to it 2:09

[@chrisl8674]

I don't have "control external lights" on my app.

[@desertaip9137]

Delete the camera and reinstall in manually DO NOT use the barcode. The camera became a "wired" version instead of the "mount" version during the firmware update.

[@walleyeye]

Why bother with ring’s price tag when you can get a wyze came and add a motion floodlight for waaaaaaaaaaay cheaper?!!!

[@LifeHackster]

True. I hope they release an outdoor camera soon.

[@Mushroomisafungus]

Cameras,a