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Old 16th May 2016, 8:57 pm   #1
Dave Moll
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Default BT Ensign PABX

I bought this PABX from the Bring & Buy at the NVCF, along with two and a half telephone terminals for use with it.

Unfortunately, when I power it up the indicator LED flashes (long on/short off). According to the information on Bob Freshwater's web site, this means that the the test routine has detected a fault, which it says further down means a memory or processor error.

I notice from the section "Commissioning the installation" of the above-mentioned page that I should set the "run/park" switch upwards to the "park" position. Unfortunately, I can find no information regarding which switch it means, but assuming it is the one next to the indicator, this is permanently on with the switch upwards and flashing as described above with the switch downwards. Does anyone know of a non-fatal cause of this or anything I can check - or has my unit "shuffled off the mortal coil" like the proverbial Monty Python parrot?
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Old 16th May 2016, 9:12 pm   #2
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

is there a memory battery in there?
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Old 17th May 2016, 7:02 am   #3
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

Yes, but it's probably well past its use-by date. Other PABXes I have with such batteries simply lose any settings when switched off, requiring them to be re-entered next time the unit is powered up. Do I take it, then, that this system won't even start up without a functioning battery?
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Old 21st Jun 2016, 11:39 pm   #4
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

mm, I dont know. I just wondered if a partially discharged battery had lead to a corrupt memory checksum failure or similar sort of thing.
I do know stuff that won't boot properly if the battery is short but that's another subject!
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Old 22nd Jun 2016, 7:42 am   #5
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

Another subject it may be, but it's also another possibility.
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Old 30th Apr 2018, 10:59 am   #6
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

Thread reopened at OP's request.
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Old 30th Apr 2018, 11:10 am   #7
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

Many thanks.

After leaving this project on the back burner for nearly two years, I am have decided to have another go at getting it working - starting by replacing the battery.

Below is an image of the existing battery, so I am wondering whether it would be appropriate to replace this with a set of three 1.2V NiMH cells.
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Old 30th Apr 2018, 12:52 pm   #8
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

Farnell do one by VARTA 55615603059 150ma 3.6v so do RS

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Old 30th Apr 2018, 1:52 pm   #9
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

Thanks Dave. This looks like the way to go - and cheaper than a set of three cells with a holder.

I'll let y'all know how I get on.
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Old 30th Apr 2018, 6:54 pm   #10
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

While you're in the area I would check for track damage. Any sign of corrosion or seepage of goo..dried-on or otherwise?
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Old 1st May 2018, 12:10 am   #11
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Moll View Post
Below is an image of the existing battery, so I am wondering whether it would be appropriate to replace this with a set of three 1.2V NiMH cells.
That battery looks very similar to the one fitted to Panasonic 308/616, and possibly a lot of other PANASONIC PABX.
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Old 11th May 2018, 10:26 am   #12
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

The new battery arrived this morning, so it was out with the old and in with the new. Unfortunately, I seem to have upset something in the process. When I power up, the line relays operate as they should, but the LED doesn't light up at all! Moving the run/park switch between run and park makes no difference.
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Old 11th May 2018, 3:11 pm   #13
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Default Re: BT Ensign PABX

After taking out the board, giving the tracks around the battery a thorough clean, and reassambling, I'm almost back to my previous situation. With the system switch in run mode, I again get the LED indication (long on/short off) of a processor or memory error, but in park mode the LED goes off instead of on.

It does appear, though, that my original problem went deeper than just a dead battery.
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