Smoked My 410 Merlin Classic Control Unit

[jwbisme]

I "lucked" into a Merlin Classic setup that I was "planning" to install for my home office/home use. I have more phones than I need available to me so all I needed to do was figure out how to hook it up. Thanks to your forum and a lot of string perusal I was able to locate all the install info I needed. I set about the task and after plugging in the 410 control unit I was getting my patch cords lined up when I detected the ominous high pitched squeeel of something frying. Then the smoke. Now what?

Some of the online suppliers don't support the unit due to it's high mortality rate. Some sell them refurbished for $200 and some for $400. Can I get mine fixed or can I find replacement parts? I opened the unit and the board that the ribbon cord from the power supply attaches to is the part that cooked. Right next to (above) the connector pins from the ribbon cord on the board there are two round components. Each has two legs. It was one of these components that fried. Suggestions?

Will the Merlin Plus control unit work with the phones from the 410 system? I was hoping to salvage what I can for as little outlay of cash possible. The good news is I found this forum, where I think I'll find the help I need!

Jim Bock
Bocksbox@hotmail.com

 

[exsmogger]

Yes, the Merlin Plus will support any phone that works on a 410 Classic. Brian Cox
J & J Communications

http://www.jandjcommunications.com

brian@jandjcommunications.com

 

[jwbisme]

I'm just trying to get a usable, simple system as cheaply as possible. Thank you though for your responses. Any one else have any other ideas?

Jim

 

[fonedude]

You can usually find control units cheap on eBay, anywhere from $50 on up.

 

[upstateny]

forget the merlin - buuy a cheap partner system off ebay - will allow you to use cordless phones, fax, single line sets etc

 

[HalHeg]

Jim,
the input you got re. the Lucent Partner system is worth listening to. I work for a company that supports three phone systems, the (now) Avaya Spirit, Merlin and Partner. The Merlin is the most troublsome of the three, and the Partner the most useful and trouble free.
A tip on the putting your system together, make sure the polarity of your income telco lines is correct. If not it can cause problems with your phone system.
Have fun!
Harald

 

[jwbisme]

I decided to dive in and try my luck so I replace the burned capacitor and its twin with a Radio Shack "best guess". After I reinstalled the board and the power supply I had one of my power supply transistors getting hot enough to "sizzle spit" so I went over the power supply and found a bad diode. I replaced it and the system works! No trouble light and 3 days later it has still managed to keep all its smoke on the inside where it belongs! Long Live My Dinosuar!!

Jim B

ps: One day I'll step into a modern system but for now I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and use what I have! Thanks