AX Troubleshooting
Most Common Problems – Russ Crandall 9.20.2004
1) Setup Tool wont let me Upload or Download
If you download the setup tool from Aiphone.com, the tech needs to unzip it first. If you double click on the zip file, it will let you navigate the folders and even load up the setup tool, but uploads and downloads will always fail. Same thing would occur if you tried loading up the setup tool from the CD that Aiphone used to bundle.
Tech bought a 3rd party serial cable locally, but used the drivers from our web site, which won’t work.
Tech bought a 3rd party serial cable locally but didn’t know they needed to run drivers.
Tech bought a 3rd party null modem cable locally, looks a lot like a serial cable, but it won’t work. How can you tell it’s a null modem? Windows will have a built in driver for it, where it wont with serial cables.
Could it be a password issue? Only if the transfer fails and cites an actual password error message. If you don’t get a password error, then you’re wasting time trying to reveal/reset it.
Could be the USB port. Try connecting the cable to another port, make sure to check device manager as the com port often changes when you do this.
Could be a failed driver installation. It’s best to leave the cable unplugged, run the drivers, then plug the cable in. If they have already made this mistake, then un-install the cable from device manager and use updated drivers from the manufacturer’s web site. If using our cable, then have the tech google “PL2303 Drivers” and it should direct them to prolific.com.tw. Un-install cable, unplug cable, run new drivers, then re-connect cable.
Could be wrong settings in the setup tool. If you have an AX-084C exchange, but you select the AX-084C in the setup tool, it will fail to upload or download.
2) Not getting video from the door station.
If the 2nd PS-2420UL Power Supply is disconnected from the VPS terminals, the entire system will default to audio only. Also using a single 3rd party 24v DC (4 Amp or greater) will cause video to fail.
Door calls in, you get chimes, voice, but no video, and It could be a cable issue. If the video pins (Red and Blue) get pinched or compromised, then video flat out stops working. If the audio pins (Green and Brown) get compromised, nothing works, no call, no chime and definitely no video. Bench at the central exchange to confirm.
3) Door Station won’t dial out to a land line, CO Transfers fail.
When using the K-1900-5 Viking dialer, the manual says it will work with a digital phone line, however when connected to the central exchange it wont work at all. You absolutely need an analog phone line for it to dial out.
In addition to the minimal programming needed to enable this, the CO Transfer feature can be disabled by the end user. Tap the CO Transfer button, LED on means its enabled, LED off means its disabled.
4) Door Stations won’t call into the master (new install).
It helps to program the system first.
If the audio wires on the door station are pinched or compromised, it will never call into the master. Bench to confirm.
If using fiber optic cable and the AXW-AVT/AVR devices, bench the AX-DV, AXW-AVT & AXW-AVR, right there at the CEU. If that works, then it might be the fiber or the fiber modules at fault. If it still fails, but benching the AX-DV directly to the CEU works, then it’s the AVT or AVR at fault.
5) Some or all the LEDs on the left side of the master are flashing.
If you program the system and tell it you have 3 masters, but only 1 is connected, those LEDs will flash until you either physically connect the missing masters or remove them through programming.
6) Option Buttons
Many Aiphone video systems come with a single option button that allows you to unlock a door without needing to install a door station. AX does not have option buttons, but in the setup tool, if you have 1 door, but tell the CEU it has 2,you tap button 2 on the right side of the master, then tap the key and L2 relay will activate.
What else can the AX system do?
Can I get calls transferred from Master to Master? No.
Can the CO Transfer dial out if nobody answers after 10-20 seconds? No.
Can I connect this to an IP network? No.
Can I stream background music into the system? No.
Can I extend the distance on the master station using fiber modules? No.
Can I add external call button (for ADA compliance) to the door station? Yes, see mod folder.
Can I mix AX and IX equipment? No
Can I make the volume at the door station louder? No.
Odd Items
Was there ever a way to connect a door station to an IP Network?
Yes, two options. One was like our IX-DV/IX-Soft setup. You connected the door to a AVW-AVT and then an Axis 243A module (long discontinued) before it connected to the switch. VIP Door Control software (not sold by Aiphone) was used to control the door from a windows PC. The other option was to use the network as a conduit to connect the door station to the CEU. AX-DV connects to the AXW-AVT, then to the Axis 243A, signal comes out of the switch and connects to another Axis 243, then onto the AXW-AVR and finally the CEU. DV-AVT-AXIS-NETWORK-AXIS-AVR-CEU.
Did we ever sell an amplified door station?
Yes. It was called the AX-SS (audio only). Where compatible audio subs only needed a 2 wire to connect, this needed all 4 pairs in a CAT5 and you had to program it as a video door station.
Did we ever sell a door station with a self-contained HID Reader?
Yes, it was called the cross-point system. AX-DV-XP or AX-DVF-XP. It was the reader and access control all rolled into one device. Used programming cards and did not sell well and did not sell well.
Why are there two BNC outputs on the CEU?
Output 1 sends video when ever a door station calls in. If a 2nd door station calls in at that time, the 2nd BNC then sends video. When system is not in use and you tap the scan monitor button, video outputs to the 2nd BNC.
NOTES: If the clients want an external bell or strobe to go off when the door calls in and you suggest the RY-ES, make sure they have a PS-2420UL and spare part # 238130. Option connectors are often thrown away after the initial installation.