Phones randomly not working.

[Comput3rGuy]

I have had several phone in the month that have just stopped working all together. It is a Merlin Legend. If I go to the phone unplug it from the system wait about a minute or two and plug it back in it starts working as it should. It seems like a few of them I am having to do this at least weekly. What could be causing this?

 

[Dexman]

A few questions to get the ball rolling.

What types of phones are they (SLT, ETR or MLX?). Are the phones connected to the same card? If you try switching the suspect phones with ones that don't experience the problem, does the trouble follow the phones or the extensions?

I "FEATURE 00

 

[dagwoodsystems]

Sometimes those ports just let go like that. On a really old three cabinet system, you could expect maybe four to go bad. The other explanation may be that they're the MLX-10 and not the MLX-10DP (old non-DP sets were known to "go to sleep").

Tim Alberstein

http://www.dagwoodsystems.com

 

[Comput3rGuy]

They are MLX-5 phones and on two different cards....They are in classrooms and the teachers both aid they hardly ever use the phone. If it happens again I have a few spare MLX-10D phones that I will switch them out with and let you know...

Any further thoughts?

 

[merlinman]

Do a self test to insure no wiring problems:

Intercom > SPEAKER > Dial *00 > listen to what you hear

1st it will be a LOUD UNFRIENDLY TONE, that should be CLEARLY HEARD

Press any line key and the TONE should go away, AND you should hear no noise.

However, if you hear SNAP, CRACKLE, POP and/or some LOUD STATIC, you have a bad connection between the phone and the Control Unit.

If everything remains quiet, then you have eliminated wiring as your problem, and the other suggestions hold true.

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman

-merlinmansblog.blogspot.com

 

[papagigo1]

c8c5dPhoneguy,

I had a similar experience and found a power unit on the second carrier was weak.

Check the 3 voltage levels on the front, also make sure there is nothing on the top of the Legend carrier blocking the air flow.

Mike

 

[Comput3rGuy]

Papagigo1: Thanks for the ideas. What are voltage levels that you are talking about? I was also thinking maybe it was a poor ground so I have ordered a larger gauge of grounding wire. I will let you know how the grounding thing works.

 

[papagigo1]

c8c5d

Look on the front of the carrier power unit, there are 3 test ports below the green power light.

Test the voltage on each port with a multi-meter, +5v -5v and -48v .

Mike

 

[Comput3rGuy]

I checked all the voltages in all three carrier units. (which the grounds are daisy changed) should they each be ran to the bus bar?
carrier one and two where not exactly the +5v, -5v, & -48v but where with in one or two each way and carrier 3 was exact on all three. Could being off one or two either way on carrier one and two be the problem?

 

[papagigo1]

Well, if your saying 1-2 volts on the +5 or -5 volts that a significant amount. Are the phones located in the carriers with the low voltage?

Mike

 

[papagigo1]

c8c5dPhoneguy,

I just tested 3 very old Legend power units,

Using the 20 DCV scale all 5v test ports have at least 5.00v to 5.02v
Using the 200 DCV scale -48volt test ports measured -48.4 to -50.1

Mike

 

[Comput3rGuy]

That is pretty much what I got too as far as the range. Although one was lower than +5.00v...but yes the problem extensions are with i the two carriers with the varying voltages.

 

[dagwoodsystems]

How come I don't have your number in my mobile? I know we've talked before. Call me and lets noodle this out together. I've got this really fancy website called dagwoodsystems.com that I made with Microsoft Word. My number is there. Talk to you soon.

Tim Alberstein

http://www.dagwoodsystems.com

 

[papagigo1]

c8c5d,

After doing the tests Merlinman suggested just to make sure it's not the wiring, I would replace both power supplies. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.

One caution when replacing them, there is a platic pin that sticks out from the back plane behind the power supply, don't break it off !!

Mike

 

[Comput3rGuy]

Thanks, all wiring is good...looks like I am in the market for some new power supplies!

Thanks again for all the help Gentlemen.

 

[papagigo1]

Look at the link at the bottom of Merlinman or Dagwood, they can help you with your trouble.

Mike

 

[merlinman]

I think, considering you said you have some spare "MLX-10D's", you may be dealing with the "Sleeping set" issue.

Read and post the number on the bottom of the set and I can probably tell you for sure.

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman

-merlinmansblog.blogspot.com

 

[Comput3rGuy]

108213778 is the number on the white tag on the bottom.

 

[dagwoodsystems]

What Jack was getting at is that older MLX-10D set had a sleeping problem. You always want the MLX-10DP sets. They look the same but the newer flavor doesn't have that issue.

Tim Alberstein

http://www.dagwoodsystems.com

 

[Comput3rGuy]

these are MLX-5