sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Avaya - Lucent Telephones & Systems MDW900 cordless has a problem

You guys were very helpful when I asked about the 206 module problem so now I'd like to ask you another question and this time it's on cordless phones for the PartnerPlus system.

We've had a MDW9000 that was brand new with the phone system in 1994. It's had some software problems - most annoying is that it won't always hang up or go off hook and when it does, even if you are near the radio unit it says the signal is weak. I met the guy who wrote the code for it at AT&T Andover MA at a IEEE meeting last year and he admited yes, it has it's bugs. How nice of him to say so.

My problem is, I think, (again) the NiCad battery. It's the 3rd one we've had (and they are not cheap as apparently only Avaya makes them (they are Panasonic cells - I ripped one of the dead battery packs open and was thinking of making my own but of course the plastic case is now in pieces).

NiCads.... How I hate 'em. The phone stays on the charger 95% of the time so it's the memory effect that's killing it (sure, you can take it off the charger and let it run down but that just wears the battery out).

So the $64 question is.. Is it worth it to replace the battery AGAIN or should I chuck what I think is an overpriced piece of junk and..

A) anyone know of a good alternate supply for batteries that's affordable?

B) get something better and if so what?

C) use my cellphone and forget the idea of a wireless extension phone on the PartnerPlus system (seemed like a good idea in 1994 but then this is 2006).

Thanks for the help,

Bob

In our area, there is a chain of battery stores called "Batteries Plus" that carrys everything from watch to tank batteries. In addition, they make special assemblies.

I had a hand-held carpet cleaner and the battery failed. The manufacturer wanted nearly twice what the entire cleaner cost just for the battery. I took it to this place and they built me a replacement from scratch in ten minutes for less than a fast food dinner!

I have used them for some other unusual batteries for cordless phones with great success. They aren't the cheapest place to get batteries, but it's worth a little more for the convenience and expertise.

Anyway, I don't know if they are national, but the phone number for one of their local stores here is 703-494-8400. Maybe they can point you in the direction of a store closer to you. They only do batteries, and plenty of them, so if they can't help you then it probably can't be done.

You have to be kidding! You are probably the only person in the country that still has one of those. The battery is the least of it's problems. Quite honestly I would not waste my time.

Since the Transtalk 9040 has been discontinued your only alternative is the 3910 that handles a whopping two lines on your system.

Did I mention Avaya is not noted for their cordless solutions? By the way, you should have taken that guy at the IEEE meeting out back and shot him. :thumb:

-Hal

Ed, we found two BatteriesPlus outlets in New Hampster so my buyer's checking them out.

Yeah, Hal, I wanted to (take him out back and shoot him) but he slipped out between martinis at the annual meeting. Never called me back when I called him on the phone (or e-mail) after he promised me he'd put me in touch with someone who had a rom upgrade for me. You know about THOSE kinds of promises, right? :toast:

Tnx,

Bob

Those batteries were scarce a year or two ago

and the battery case needed to match the phone

black or white

good luck

Guess from your reply no-one else is trying to use them.

It's mainly because they are antiques.

There are plenty of Transtalk 9030's and 9040's out there. That's not because they work but only because they are newer. I usually find them thrown in the back of closets, on store room shelves or in the basement.

Very few of the Transtalks I sold made it past a couple of years. Some don't even make it that long and got replaced under warranty only to be abandoned after the warranty expires. Avaya finally decided to throw in the towel and discontinue them.

Rumor has it that they may have their phones made by Spectralink but we are still waiting.

-Hal

Transtalk 9000 and 9010 phones are the best
wireless phones, we still use them. We have 2
Legend R7 system, each system has a 9000 or
9100. Last year, I switched to 9031, but 1n
3 months we broke 4 units, costed us more than 1000. So we gave up the newer model.

Getting new battery is a kind of problem, but I bought 4 pieces from internet, price is $50 + S/H

Hi guys, back again to check and see what's up and report back. I did some more testing and it's clear to me now the latest battery I had was fine (6.2V). Just to make sure I substituted a power supply (you have to jumper the two leads that are next to each other to one side of the power (+ I think) then it will work. Radio won't stay off hook. Hangs up saying out of range (which is what it always did intermittantly.

I gave up - you're right, it's a piece of junk.
Ordered the 206EC - should have it in a few days and I'll report back how it goes.

Thanks again,

Bob