sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Avaya - Lucent Telephones & Systems Wiring from KSU to Set - Merlin PLUS

Can someone please tell me if CAT-5 wiring will work to run from the KSU to the sets on a Merlin PLUS R2 system? Does the system use a RJ-45 or an RJ-11 connector? Also, I've looked at the installation manual for this system; does it have to be done by an Avaya tech, or can it be done by an IT guy with cabling experience? Programming looks quite easy. I'm planning on getting it for a very low-cost, easy to program phone system for my house.

Thanks in advance,
Matthew

[This message has been edited by nickamat (edited February 02, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by nickamat (edited February 02, 2004).]

Doesnt matter what cable.....Although CAT 5 cable is a pain in the ass to crimp plugs on them.......at least for me....

Are you wiring from keyset straight to ksu?
And I hope you have a D2, with a new battery.

[email protected]
www.GetwiredByMitch.com

It uses 8 pin plugs. The manual can be dl from Avaya website.

Very easy to program. BUT for a house I would suggest a Partner which allow the use of SL sets and cordless sets....

BUT Merlin speakerphones are the best.....

AND DONT FORGET U USE ALL 4 PAIRS.........
The wiring scheme is the same as 568B

Thanks for the replies so far. Acutally all of the cat-5 is in place already. Wiring will be straight from keyset to KSU. So is that wiring scheme straight through CAT-5, or crossover (probably not xover)? Also, your opinion on where to get one of these Merlins: ebay or a trusted reseller? Finally, the small insurance company I work for as an IT wants to get rid of their Vodavi 616 Flex (6CO, 14 or so stations) and the DON'T want voicemail or AA. It must be extremely "cost effective" aka cheap (as my boss says), and a good speakerphone is a must. If I do well with this MERLIN install, should I recommend an older MERLIN to them, also? We need a system thats easy to program, use, and must be VERY RELIABLE. I've always been attracted to the MERLINs for some odd reason, they seem to be a fixture as a biz. telephone system. Thanks again for your posts in advance.

groundstart - you'll remember me from the Vodavi forum - post "convince boss to upgrade". after a big discussion about this, he'd rather buy a cheap system NOW and get CO voicemail, and wait 2 years or so and go VoIP once it becomes "a little better established" (those were his words).

- Matthew

[This message has been edited by nickamat (edited February 02, 2004).]

Kidnap your boss............

You got a nice cabling system in place....Go to the next step....AAAHHH but furget it...

I have a deep spot in my heart for the Merlins also....they kept me alive in the 80's....The best way to install them is as follows:

on the keyset end use cat 5 568b terminations...and at the ksu side..the same...it would be suggested to use 22 button speakerphones as they are more reliable then the crappy membrane sets...

if ya need a nice reseller, try ATLANTEL in Georgia, their phones are real nice and I like their business practices...MAKE SURE YOU GET A D2, with a NEW BATTERY...

I still think you guys r making a bad move..you can pick up a nice new system with voicemail for under 3 grand if you are an interconnect.

DON'T just crimp ends onto the wire and plug it into the control unit. That's a messy way to do it, gives unreliable connections, and will be sure to draw the inevitable "Who did this c**p?!" comments.

Cat-5 is great, terminate your jacks 568-B at the station side, and at the control unit, just use a patch panel. Then use patch cords to connect from the control unit to the panel.

The outside lines go in on RJ-11 connectors. If you have enough room on the patchpanel, put the individual lines on the last ports of the panel, then use RJ-11 LINE cord to patch them together.

Merlin Plus is manufacture discontinued, although there is lots of equipment out there. The Partner ACS would be a better choice, but that's your choice to make. Whatever you do, just install it neatly and properly, and it will run well.

MY BAD.....TTT makes a good point...BUT

this guys boss sounds like a real cheapo....and will do anything to cut costs....even go as far as to crimp 15 cent plugs on cable rather then install a patch panel with patch cords.......

Thanks again for the responses so far. Yeah, I would LOVE a Parter ACS, but the budget just isn't there. I'm concerned on the life of this thing, buying refurbished of course. Its gonna need to last at least 10 more years. Is this practical, or should we stick with the 616 until it fails, and 5 years down the road, put in a Partner. Thanks for the recommendations for wiring this thing. We've got space in our network closet for another patch panel.

- Matthew

From the number of Vodavi Starplus analog telephones that we repair and sell, I have to believe that the system is certainly durable. We see TONS of them.
It is my belief that, in general, you would probably be better off spending the money and getting a quality product. If that means saving the pennies for a year or two, that might be better than buying something inferior now and being unhappy with it until you can get the tightwad boss to spring for another new system in ten years.
You get what you pay for and cheaper is almost NEVER better.
As a side note, have you tried to point out to your boss just how much money it is costing him in worker productivity and lost customers to stay with this dinosaur of a phone system?
In my experience, you have to debate with people in their own language and, if money is his only concern, then pitch a new system from the money angle. How much will it increase productivity?

i gotta disagree with Paul.
i personally love the merlin system.
granted that you don't get the bells and whistles that the newer systems have. but i found that the merlin 820d2 with the bis series phones will out last the partner system. hell take a merlin phone, throw it against a wall and it will still work. try that with a partner phone.
parts are easy to get considering that everyone pulled them out of service. i must have about 200 phones and extra cards in stock.
i think I'm about the only guy in NY thats still willing to service a merlin system