atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Vodavi Telephones & Systems Vodavi Triad 3

Went to look at a school today that has been orphaned from their original Vodavi dealer. The school is expanding and wants to add 21 SLT sets.

They have a Triad 3 with an MPB1, software version 3.0H-3FE1. The 2-cabinet system is currently full, with 17 SLIB cards, 5 LCOB and a couple of DTIB's.

I became a dealer after the Triad and Infinite systems were merged into the XTS, so I'm not that familiar with them. Here are some of my questions?

1) Can a 3rd cabinet be added to this system? If so, is there a larger processor that needs to be in place, such as the MPB2 for the XTS?

2) If a 3rd cabinet can be used, does it have to be placed directly above, or below the other two cabinets? (They didn't leave enough space, of course.)

3) The KSU, and expansion KSU have a constant chatter coming from them. Sounds like a bunch of relay's clicking. Is this normal for the Triad 3?

4) Is there much of this equipment to be had on the secondary market? I'm not seeing much listed on the web, or in the usual magazines.

5) These cards are not compatible with the XTS cabinets, are they?

Thank you,
Larry

It was actally a four cabinet system. Two big ones and two small ones on the side. The cards are not the same size as the ones in an XTS cabinet, so no they are not compatible at all. The chatter is SLT message waiting relays all clicking. There is FP4 software for the system. If I remember correctly, there was only one cpu.
The only reseller I would trust is Novus and I doubt that they have much of the stuff left.

Derrick is right on. Also, don't forget that there were 10 and 15 amp power supplies that limited what kinds of cards could be installed. Yes, you can "cheat" this because the system has no way of actually knowing which power supplies are there. It is strictly the honor system.

The maximum configuration for this system is 252 stations and 144 trunks. In order to attain this, you'll need to rely upon 24 port digital station cards, but they can ONLY be installed in cabinet #0. All other slots in the expansion cabinets support 12 port station cards only.

If the system was configured beyond 48X96, a memory expansion module was required on the MPB. I'm sure that is already in place.

There is quite a large supply of parts for this system on the secondary market. Also, the cards are fully-interchangeable with both Vodavi infinite AND Fujitsu Allegra 192 ones which will certainly provide you with more availability options.

I absolutely loathe the FP3 software for that system. Not because it doesn't work, but because it is not technician-friendly. You program it by port numbers, not by extension numbers. When flexible numbering has been used, it is a nightmare. I may have to get you some 4.15 software for that thing in order to save your sanity.

Per Murphy's law, I am ashamed to admit how much of that stuff that I had to throw away when we recently moved the office.

4.17 was the last software release. Your system will be maxed at the proposed configuration.

4.17 is still available. Vertical just sent me eproms for a Triad 3 with multiple tenants who need their own DID numbers sent on PRI outbound.
And I agree with Ed. I avoid FP3 flex numbering like the plague.

Thank you all for the replys!

Since there are already two cabinets (BKSU & EKSU1), do I need the EKSU2 (6-Slot Cabinet) or can an EKSU1 (10-Slot) be used?

Does the EKSU have to be mounted directly adjacent to the BKSU?

Is there anything else I need besides a 10 amp PS, RGU, and two SLIBs? Do I need a DTMF-A or a MSG12?

Thanks for the heads-up on the software version. I really don't want to upgrade it, because I do not want to have to reprogram everything just to add 21 analog phones.

You have to use an EKSU1 because it houses the power supplies and the connection to the BKSU.

Yes, it does have to be mounted directly above as the 25 pair signal cable is only about 9" long.

You probably should add another DTMF-A for that many phones, but the MSG12 is totally optional. If they don't use message waiting, I wouldn't bother.

Oh, but the conversion is so much fun!!!
:rofl: