Got a new to me house (~4.5 YO) and am trying to trouble shoot the installed multi room audio system, which is fed by my AV system and powers in-ceiling installed speakers in different rooms.
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Basically the system consists of an A-Bus source Input Unit:
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http://www.onqlegrand.com/images/pdf/IS-0148.pdf
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Which is fed by my AV system via an RCA jack cable. The input unit feeds via cat 5 an OnQ A-Bus 4 zone distribution hub:
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http://www.twacomm.com/catalog/model_364475-02.htm
This feeds, via cat 5, the speaker control keypads/amps in the individual rooms:
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http://www.russound.com/akp2.htm
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The problem is that one of the keypads doesn’t work. The other does. The problem one doesn’t light up when I push the power button. If I had a schematic of the keypad I could check the input power – which I believe is 24vdc. Then I could see if the keypad is at least getting power.
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Anyone know anything about this stuff or have some other troubleshooting methods? The only test equipment I have is a volt/ohm meter. I’d like to do some swapping around of connections the problem with that being that the cat-5 cable is terminated at punch-downs and I don’t have any tools for that…
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I suspect that the keypad is bad, but for all I know the cat-5 wire feeding the keypad is damaged….
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Edited 7/4/2009 2:55 pm ET by Matt
Replies
google avsforums there should be some folks there that can help
Thanks. I posted on the AVS fourm.
I got sumpin similar. Check your Cat 5 wiring. Maybe even get a network connector tester. Those will point out errors in the wiring faster than you ever could.
And check to see if that individual pad's wire is properly connected to the multiamp.
If it were me I'd start by carefully probing a good keypad looking for the power. I'd imagine some Googling would at least get you the keypad specs so you know what you're looking for. Then I'd compare the findings from the good keypad to the bad one.
PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
The simplest thing to do is to swap keypads. Put a piece of tape on the bad one and mark it so you remember which is which.
If the problem moves then it is the keypad.
If the problem stays with the room then it is the wiring.
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Right - but the connections are punchdown. As stated before, I have no punchdown tools.
Missed that. Assumed that it used RJ connectors..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Wish it was RJ. Actually I have a few friends who work int he telecommunications industry and I know at least one of them has punch down tools. Sounds like it is time to invite someone over to the new crib.... :-)
Did this problem show in the PPHA?Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
PPHA??
That's what we called home inspections when we offerred that service back in the 70's.PPHA - Pre Purchase House Analysis.In buying homes over the years I have found hiring an ASHI inspector pays for itself. I used to do my own inspections on our purchases and missed some MEPS on occasion. We bought our present home, a 1920's brick bungalo over the phone. My DW grew up a block away, and knew the 1 block long street. We are the 3rd owner of a near 90 year old home. To make a long story short, the home inspector misssed 4 cracked wavey glass panes in prarie style windows and some sash cords. We were made whole by the HI.So my question is/was, did you do you own inspection? I know from your posts and pics you do excellent work and offer a high caliber product. If your lender required a systems check and the sound system is not working you may have a claim with the inspector.Hope your sound system works out.Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Hired a good inspector. Or actually the RE agent got him. Turns out he taught my home inspection class back when I got my HI license - which I let expire. He spent like 4 hrs on the house and came up with maybe 9 (little) probs. The guy was relentless - way more patient than me. I was aware of the audio sys deficiency when we signed the contract. Got the house for 49k (~13+%) below the initial asking price - so I'm happy. I was also aware of the need for exterior caulking at contract signing. I had the house painted (4.5 YO) just because. He did miss a few little things like the caulking problem in the master bath shower - BFD. but I feel confident that there are no major probs with the house. IMHO that is what is a HI is for - to find any major probs. Made them get the other 8 (minus ext caulking)little BS problems fixed just because... I'm usually on the receiving end...
As far as a claim.... That is the problem with our society - we need to focus on what is important.... Use the ambulance chasers for times when ambulances are actually involved :-).... I've had enough "nicks in the drywall behind where the fridge goes" to last a life time....
Thanks for your thoughts though....
Matt,
Glad you had a good HI.
Sounds like you got a great price and home. We bought our home for well under the national average as well. We thought about paying cash, but wanted the deduction. Our PMI is less than most folks car payments.
Enjoy your new (4-5 year old) home.
Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood