Help! - lost voice and messages on KP06 keypad

[mikeinnc]

I entered the premises this morning, and on turning security \"off\" at my sole KP06 keypad, instead of the normal cheery voice, I got something akin to a strangled duck! The security did turn off, however and the LCD showed the correct message. I tried a couple more voice messages, and the same effect - indecipherable squawking! I should add that when I had left the premises a couple of hours earlier, the keypad voice had been quite normal. I have reset the system via Comfigurator; tried turning mains power off and on again after a few minutes; reloaded my configuration file but all to no effect. In fact, it has got worse - there is now NO voice at all, and the LCD screen is blank. The keypad (lower) section is still working - I can set \'security on\' and \'security off\' from the keypad. The voice circuitry is probably OK at the controller, since if I call in from a cell phone, I hear the \'away\' message and can leave a message causing the yellow LED indicator to flash. Of course, I can\'t hear it at the keypad! The keypad is the only one on the system. It is a KP06 ver 6.010. It is cabled with Cat6 screened cable, and has worked perfectly since installation some 13 months ago. There have been no power issues here, and the event log shows nothing out of the ordinary. I haven\'t yet removed the panel from the wall - and I suspect I won\'t find anything if I do, as there is obviously communication between keypad and controller or the keys / buttons wouldn\'t work. Any help will be gratefully received!

[slychiu]

The Comfort voice has been lost
Can you try to do a Vocab Upgrade  following the instuictions at http://www.comfortforums.com/forum76/1623.html

Before doing that please upgrade your Comfort firmware according to http://www.comfortforums.com/forum92/3400.html so the vocab upgrade can be smoother

Can you let us have your Comfort serial number, C and 6 letters on the PCB

[mikeinnc]

Of course, I will do those three things - although I\'m unable to do them today! However, I should add that if I use a telephone to login, I can hear all the correct messages etc by using the phone as a keypad. That suggests to me that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the controller voice circuitry - it really does look increasingly like a failure of the voice/LCD module in the keypad itself. But - as I say, I will try those tasks you have suggested and let you know the results. Thanks so much for your speedy assistance!

[slychiu]

If the voice can be heard on the phone, then the problem is probably with the keypad
Do not attempt the Vocab Transfer - it wiil take more than 20 minutes and is not necessary

please check the wires and connections between Controller and Keypad, particularlt the Voice signal

[mikeinnc]

Thanks for that advice. Yes, I entirely agree with you - the problem is in the keypad. I read your email before going ahead with upgrading the vocab, and consequently have NOT done that (and I agree - it seemed unnecessary if I could use a phone to hear messages).

I have removed the keypad from the wall, and to ensure that there is no \'mechanical\' or spacing problem with the sub-modules plugging into the motherboard, I have also removed the motherboard from its metal frame and plugged the two sub-modules directly into it. I have also double checked the Cat6 screened wiring, especially the voice and mic connections. They are absolutely secure and good at both ends. I have also tested cable continuity by shorting the mic and voice wires at the keypad; removing the plug on the controller board and testing with an ohmmeter. All good. I will add that I have heard a \"strangled squawk\" from the keypad speaker a couple of times in the last 24 hours or so - something I believe is very indicative of an intermittent connection. However, I cannot see any evidence of one, which leads me to the inescapable conclusion that either the LCD (voice) sub-module or the motherboard is faulty. I suspect an intermittent component or an intermittent soldered connection. I\'ve tried the normal \'tricks\' - checking the motherboard with a magnifier (and I did find a loose sliver of solder bridging two pins on the PIC micro, but very carefully removing it hasn\'t made any difference!); giving a gentle tap etc, but all to no avail. I\'m pretty sure I will need to replace either or both of those.

Incidentally, I have never been able to add my Comfort details to the Product Registration page at https://www.cytech.biz/product_registration_list.php (and I have reported that before!) My Comfort serial is C076839 (barcode sticker on digital section of controller PCB) and on the analog section, P096744. Date of purchase was 12 Mar 2015. The keypad serial is C077693 (LCD is P096755 and m\'board is P096754).


Thanks very much for all your help.

[Vangelis]

If you\'ve pulled the KP06 out of its housing it maybe worth running a short bit of Cat6 between the panel and the KP06. This will rule out the cabling, also maybe trying to wire up a speaker (8ohm I think?)

Can you rescan the KP06 successfully via Comfigurator?

Vangelis

[mikeinnc]

Thanks for your advice, but I\'m certain there isn\'t a cable problem. As I have explained, I checked the voice / mic wires in the cable for continuity from panel to keypad (as a shorted loop at the keypad) and the remainder of the functions - including, I should add the LCD display - all work perfectly, so I would hazard a strong belief that the cable is NOT a problem. And, yes, the system is working perfectly with the one exception of no sounds from the speaker. Even that statement is only partially true - I am still getting an occasional \"squawk\" from the speaker, for example if I press the volume control, or activate a sensor that would normally \"speak\" but it quickly stops. It is very intermittent - as I have suggested, much more like a component or mechanical soldered joint failure. 

[slychiu]

We will send a replacement KP06A. Please send your complete addresss and phone number to support@cytech.biz

[mikeinnc]

The replacement KP06A arrived and has been successfully installed. Glad to say that it has completely solved the problem! I should add that he sounds did return during the week, although muffled and very distorted. It would appear as if it was probably an intermittent failure in the audio section of the keypad.

Thanks to everyone for fantastic service!