Re: Thorn Autocall

[Nomen Nescio <nobody@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Normally, I've found that the addressable fire systems will give me a
>trouble when a module is begining to go haywire as it misses it
>polling sequence.  With this panel and modules, as a module starts to
>become defective, either every module on the loop goes into trouble
>for an instant, or an alarm happens on an unrelated module.  This is
>very disheartening.  I find it very hard to believe that the Thorn
>Autocall passed any UL inspection with this monkey-business.  Maybe
>that's why they are not in the US anymore.

The problem isn't that the module fails to respond to polling.  That would
be too easy.

The problem is that the module is responding with digital garbage, sent at
the wrong time.  The system sees these signals as coming from some other
module, or the garbage data will knock out communications with other
modules, causing the system to think that they are in trouble.

Sometimes you can get a clue from the very first signal that comes in.
Sometimes, you just have to start looking.

Moisture is a common problem.  Look carefully at the module circuit boards
on both sides for white or green spots.  Look for signs of a leaky roof;
water can drip down a wall and wreck a module.

Good luck.  Sometimes, these can be a bear to find.

- badenov