Alcatel 4100 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PaulM · 2nd Dec 2014, 12:59 pm

Hello, telephone people. I'm well out of my normal area here, but I wonder if there's anyone here who knows anything about the Alcatel 4100 VS PABX?

I've had one for a long, long time and never attempted to use it - until now. It came from a TV OB truck belonging to Border Television and was pulled as a going concern. Now, at least 10 years later, I'd like to use it. In the meantime I seem to have 'lost' the manuals.

On test with a couple of 'phones' connected to two of the 2 wire ports, I now have dial tone but no ability to dial other extensions. Initially the 50V rail was down due to a failed sub-unit on the mother board. I take it that these little cards are the ringing generators? I removed the one from the mother board which was as good as s/c on the 50V input and then everything sprang to life.

I've tried both MF and pulse 'phones' yet still I can't dial extensions. I've not tried any of the DEL lines.

Any clues, advice, please? Many thanks.

Best regards,

Paul M

AndiiT · 4th Dec 2014, 9:04 pm

Hi,
Try this link

Regards

Andrew

PaulM · 4th Dec 2014, 9:33 pm

Hello Andrew,

Thanks for the response, but I had already found that (and since found the hard copy manuals for the proprietary 'phones for this PABX). Sadly, the actual PABX User Manual hard copy is still missing and the linked site has Only available to Installer Network customers for the 'useful' ones.

I'm beginning to think (sadly) that this unit might be a bin job . . .

Best regards,

Paul M

Biggles · 10th Dec 2014, 7:50 pm

When you say you can't dial other extensions, what do you hear? Does it break dial tone when you dial or does the dial tone remain? Do you hear it "ringing" in the earpiece? Does the PABX make relay like clicking noises as if its ringing? You normally need a proprietary feature phone to set the parameters up or sometimes you can program them from a PC, but I must admit I'm not familiar with this particular make of switch.
Alan.

PaulM · 11th Dec 2014, 9:52 am

When another extension is dialled, it briefly goes quiet (a second or so) and then resumes dial tone. There's no relays in the PABX and it makes no noises. A few red LEDs flash on the daughter boards but that's it.

As this was pulled 'hot' from an operational TV OB truck with a mixture of 'phone types in use, I expected (hoped) something of the original programming would be intact. It could be that the NV memory (I think it's just battery backed RAM) has been lost as the small NiCad battery on the motherboard was flat. As you say, without the proprietary 'master 'phone' or the right lead and S/W, it's probably not programmable. It's a pity because it's a nicely made unit with lots of features.

Many thanks for your response.

Best regards,

Paul M

2nd Dec 2014, 12:59 pm	#1
PaulM Hexode Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Lincoln, UK. Posts: 483	Alcatel 4100 Hello, telephone people. I'm well out of my normal area here, but I wonder if there's anyone here who knows anything about the Alcatel 4100 VS PABX? I've had one for a long, long time and never attempted to use it - until now. It came from a TV OB truck belonging to Border Television and was pulled as a going concern. Now, at least 10 years later, I'd like to use it. In the meantime I seem to have 'lost' the manuals. On test with a couple of 'phones' connected to two of the 2 wire ports, I now have dial tone but no ability to dial other extensions. Initially the 50V rail was down due to a failed sub-unit on the mother board. I take it that these little cards are the ringing generators? I removed the one from the mother board which was as good as s/c on the 50V input and then everything sprang to life. I've tried both MF and pulse 'phones' yet still I can't dial extensions. I've not tried any of the DEL lines. Any clues, advice, please? Many thanks. Best regards, Paul M

4th Dec 2014, 9:04 pm	#2
AndiiT Octode Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Saltburn-East, Cleveland, UK. Posts: 1,786	Re: Alcatel 4100 Hi, Try this link Regards Andrew

4th Dec 2014, 9:33 pm	#3
PaulM Hexode Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Lincoln, UK. Posts: 483	Re: Alcatel 4100 Hello Andrew, Thanks for the response, but I had already found that (and since found the hard copy manuals for the proprietary 'phones for this PABX). Sadly, the actual PABX User Manual hard copy is still missing and the linked site has Only available to Installer Network customers for the 'useful' ones. I'm beginning to think (sadly) that this unit might be a bin job . . . Best regards, Paul M

10th Dec 2014, 7:50 pm	#4
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: Alcatel 4100 When you say you can't dial other extensions, what do you hear? Does it break dial tone when you dial or does the dial tone remain? Do you hear it "ringing" in the earpiece? Does the PABX make relay like clicking noises as if its ringing? You normally need a proprietary feature phone to set the parameters up or sometimes you can program them from a PC, but I must admit I'm not familiar with this particular make of switch. Alan.

11th Dec 2014, 9:52 am	#5
PaulM Hexode Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Lincoln, UK. Posts: 483	Re: Alcatel 4100 When another extension is dialled, it briefly goes quiet (a second or so) and then resumes dial tone. There's no relays in the PABX and it makes no noises. A few red LEDs flash on the daughter boards but that's it. As this was pulled 'hot' from an operational TV OB truck with a mixture of 'phone types in use, I expected (hoped) something of the original programming would be intact. It could be that the NV memory (I think it's just battery backed RAM) has been lost as the small NiCad battery on the motherboard was flat. As you say, without the proprietary 'master 'phone' or the right lead and S/W, it's probably not programmable. It's a pity because it's a nicely made unit with lots of features. Many thanks for your response. Best regards, Paul M