ACS has no dialtone when it is warm or hot?

[chiptransisto]

I have a partner acs v3.0 with 3 lines and 8 extensions. When I put it inside the air conditioned space, even in a closet with no air conditioning, it works fine. When I put it in a room with no air conditioning but where the temp stays around 85, I have a problem. The problem is that the unit works for about 5 to 10 minutes then I lose the dialtone. It apparently is still working because I can dial out. If I take the phone off hook when I don't get a dialtone and leave it, in a minute the phone will start working when the phone company starts sending the "if you would like to make a call' signal. If I hang up and then take the phone off the hook, I"ll have a dialtone. If I hang up and let it set for a few minutes, no dialtone again. After the ACS unit has been on for about 30 minutes, the above changes and I never get a dialtone.
Apparently, there is something in the unit that is having a heat problem. Any ideas?

 

[hbiss]

Apparently, there is something in the unit that is having a heat problem. Any ideas?

All of the Partner systems (and probably most electronic equipment) will become unstable and start doing unpredictable things when the temperature goes above a certain point. That point can vary from equipment to equipment but it should serve as a warning because if it goes much higher or it is sustained you are looking at replacement. I have replaced many ACS processors and even entire systems that were installed in places like boiler rooms or just had papers or other items placed on top of the carrier blocking air flow.

That said, you may think an ambient of 85 deg F is low but you also have to consider air flow through the processor and internal heat buildup which is considerable.

I never want to see any electronic equipment operating in an ambient of 85 deg or above unless it's designed for it. At the very least it's life will be shortened considerably. 85 deg is cause for alarm so either move it or air condition the space.

-Hal

 

[itpphoneguy]

Hi chiptransisto,
The system should not have been installed there to begin with. Step one is to move it to an office enviroment (air conditioned). If it still acts up, it needs to be replaced now.
You can run a 25 PR from the old location to the new location.
Just did that for someone else - same situation. I did not install the original system.

-Chris

 

[jlshelton]

General rule of thumb: every 10 degrees (F) hotter cuts the life of electronics in half. Partner was designed, to some degree, for wider temperature ranges than computer equipment. From the ACS Rel 3 manual:

[green] Operating temperature 32° to + 104°F (0° to + 40°C), not in direct sunlight [/green]

As you can see, your equipment should work at 85 degrees, but none of us would recommend it. Try moving it to a cooler environment, or find the failing components and replace them. (You can use spray cans to cool individual components and find out which ones "recover.")

 

[skip555]

your looking at a failing processor

85 is certinly not excessive heat I have seen and maintain a lot of partner systems(and others) that function just fine year in and year out in temp approaching 100 +

Im in SW fl and a lot of equipment is installed in un-aircondtioned spaces

I wouldnt think twice about mounting a system in a room that stayed in the 85 degree range

moving it to a aircondtioned space is just delaying the inevatible replacement

 

[itpphoneguy]

Hi skip,
That is the point really. Delaying the failure as all switches do suffer. I find an air conditioned space really does extend the life of these. Of course if there is nowhere else to put them ....

You are correct in that the switch is failing. Extending the time may allow the customer to save some money up and change the switch at their time of choosing.

Everything back to normal in your neck of the woods?

-Chris

 

[chiptransisto]

Is the failure caused by a failed power supply? Or just the system in general? I saw one post with a link to a company that would replace the power supply for $100. That would be a good deal if my power supply is going but it would not be a good deal if my problem is with the other chips.

 

[itpphoneguy]

Hi chiptransisto,
There are improvements to the station port IC's as well I thought.

-Chris

 

[skip555]

hi chris

things are starting to get back still lots of folks living in fema trailers and houses without roofs though

the season starts again tomorrow

wont really be any activity untill aug though, they say it could be a repeat of last year

 

[skip555]

I dont know that it would necessarly be the power supply overheating , seems like it could be quite q few componets .

might be worth a try though

 

[itpphoneguy]

Hi Skip,
I think you are right, unlikely the power supply. uP or something else may be going. The power supply almost always suffers but will normally just shut it all down. It's a switcher with multiple taps. One goes, they all go. Unless a pico fuse blows, but they don't come back.

I really hope you have a light windy season down there Skip, best of luck!

-Chris