Dialer question

[RH.Campbell]

I have a question for those in the group who actual install. I have been
installing the Paradox Spectra panel of late, and had one today that would
NOT grab the line and call the CS. I checked everything in software and all
the physical connections, jack and plug etc, but still no go. Since I didn't
have a spare panel in my truck (big mistake), just for the hell of it, I
factory defaulted the panel, reprogrammed with the memory key, and lo and
behold, it worked perfectly.

Have others had this kind of experience with this or other makes of panels ?
Is this a common thing ? In the last 600 panels I have installed, I have
never had this kind of experience. They either work or don't, and I can't
see how a factory default could solve the problem....

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com

 

[fly in the ointment]

RH.Campbell wrote

I have a question for those in the group who actual install. I have been
installing the Paradox Spectra panel of late, and had one today that would
NOT grab the line and call the CS. I checked everything in software and all
the physical connections, jack and plug etc, but still no go. Since I didn't
have a spare panel in my truck (big mistake), just for the hell of it, I
factory defaulted the panel, reprogrammed with the memory key, and lo and
behold, it worked perfectly.

Have others had this kind of experience with this or other makes of panels ?
Is this a common thing ? In the last 600 panels I have installed, I have
never had this kind of experience. They either work or don't, and I can't
see how a factory default could solve the problem....

I had a 5010 like that right out of the box. Neither the installer code nor
the master code worked. I had to hardware default the panel .
js

 

[RH.Campbell]

Ok, thanks Bob (and to the other gentleman who answered about his experience
with the 5010). I wasn't sure, but it seems although rare, I guess it's
nothing much to worry about. I thoroughly tested all signals on all zones
plus keypad panics to the station, and everything worked perfectly.

I'll chalk it up to a fluke...

RHC

 

[Mark Leuck]

Could be a flaky dialer relay. Did it give you a fail to communicate?

 

[RH.Campbell]

No, but I am going to continue to watch it for a "fail to communicate" with
it's programmed test signal. At the first sign of trouble, out it comes...

But to answer your question Mark, no, it simply didn't seize the line and
dial. Exactly the same reaction as if the communicator was turned off (but
it wasn't). Yet when I defaulted, it worked perfectly. I sent three sets of
signals and allowed it to hang up between each communication....very
strange...

RHC

 

[Aegis]

I've had all kinds of weird things like that happen... Even on access
control and fire panels... Somehow some garbage gets into the EEPROMs and a
default zero's the error out (MOST of the time)...

I've made it a habit to manually default any and all panels when unpacking
them (except those panels that don't hold memory in the box like Northern
N-1000's used to be with the piece of paper between the negative and the Li
battery.)

 

[Mark Leuck]

It happens, you have to admit tho that one possible bad panel out of 500
isn't a bad ratio

 

[Rocky T. Squirrel, Esq.]

Blame your "Dialer falure" to the QC department at the factory..
Some of the communication tests that QC runs will disable the communication
chip set..
All QC's at manufacturers are suppost to default the panels before they
stamp it acceptable..
However some are forgetful or too busy and skip that requirement..
ere go your dialer failure..
Most all panels manuals or tech support will tell you to default the panels
before you install them to reset the chips for just that reason...

Just make it new rule to default any new panels before you leave the
shop...

HIH (hope it helps)
CUL (c u later)

 

[RH.Campbell]

Many thanks ! I was not aware of those conditions during quality control.
But what you say makes perfect sense, and would certainly explain what
happened.

You know, just when I think this newsgroup has finally gone to hell, what
with all the constant mudslinging going on, along comes a post that
convinces me I should stick around for a while longer...

RHC

 

[RH.Campbell]

Yeah, none of this really surprises me actually. The latest versions of most
any manufacturers panels resemble more and more a conventional computer, and
you KNOW how much sh*t we have to put up with from them.....

RHC