sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Vodavi Telephones & Systems Intercom Alert LED

I maintain the 616 system at church. I have two stations - one in the nursery and soundbooth. The COS is intercom only for both stations. The visual indicator on the station is not enough for everyone to see unless you are looking directly at the set. Is there a big light that can be added to the station, so you do not have to be looking directly at the phone?

Hi, Tim:

Before we can give you a definitive answer, we really need to know which system you are working on. Vodavi has released plenty of systems with the 616 configuration. I am assuming you are working with the Starplus 616 (1984-1992 era), but without knowing the exact model number of the KSU, any answers at this point would be just guessing.

To save yourself a trip out there, if you can just get the model number from one of the phones from the customer over the phone, that will point us in the right direction.

Assuming you're talking about the 616EX or Flex, the answer is yes and no. You can add one (if memory serves) light via the loud bell control and program a station to follow it. But, it would not work for two different stations.

There is no device you can simply plug in-line with the phone.

Ed:

It is a Flex616 system.

Tim, you will be somewhat limited then. There are a few possibilities that can be considered, but it basically boils down to a single pair of relay contacts that are really intended for other functions. I think that at best, we might be able to get you a work-around using external hardware, but it would have to be a single code that "flashes" both locations. There's really not much more available on that system.

Are you cut out for something like this? It's going to require your having access to a telecom supply house and pretty good electronics/electrical skills. If you are up for it, then I will dust off the books and see what we can come up with.

I have access to a telecom/electronic supply store. I am an amateur radio operator, so electronics is an ongoing hobby for me. I appreicate the kind assistance.

Well, there is some hope here. There is a single pair of relay contacts that can be programmed for "loud bell control" to track the ringing for one extension. That contact can then be wired to a lamp or other visual indicator. It will only solve the issue for one station though. The phone's H-T-P switch would have to be kept in the "T" position so that it's forced to ring on intercom calls.

There'a a bit of programming required for this and I don't have the manual for that system available at this time. I did look on e-bay and there is one for sale with a buy-it-now price of $11.95. If you are going to be supporting this system regularly, it would be a good idea to get yourself a copy.

Just a question here... by the original post you are not getting ring in intercom? Would ring on intercom be enough or do you need an external lamp? Is it that you want to be able to keep it silent and just have a visual indication of ringing? Have you considerred having them continue to ring but at a lower volume?
While I am certain that Ed can help you find a way to make this work with an external light (if anyone can, Ed can), I guess I am just wonderring if it is really necessary and maybe there is a more simple solution.

Ed and Paul:

I have been so busy that this is the first chance I have had to respond. Paul, the station is in the sanctuary, so the visual indicator will be needed. Ed, I have a copy of the 616EX manual. Where do I need to look? Your help is deeply appreciated.

Tim:

Look at the relay contacts (pair #25 on the system's first cable). It can be programmed to track the ringing of any station, but only one. Once programmed, and the phone is set to the "Tone or T" mode by the HTP switch, then every time the phone rings, these relay contacts will close.

If you provide a low-voltage power source and a small light of some kind (basic Radio Shack stuff), elementary school electricity is all you will need to know.

Again, like I said earlier, there is only one set of these contacts on your system, so both phones won't be able to have this capability.