Broken phone?: Macrotel phone repair

Need programming?: Macrotel manuals

Macrotel Excel 816
 

Macrotel MT-16T phones and Macrotel Excel phones look different, however they are very much alike. The MT-16T phones will work perfectly on the Excel cabinet, and the Excel phones will also work on the MT-16H system. The only difference is the MT-16T telephones have 3 small round buttons at the top that will only work on the MT-16H system.

The MT-16T phones have an unusual shape handset and are very similar to the Prostar 816 phones. In fact, the only difference between the Prostar and the MT-16T is the "software" or programming on the IC chips both inside the phone and inside the main control cabinet (KSU). Also, the MT-16T phones have a snap on base that is required both for desk and wall mount configurations. These bases often break and were unavailable until fairly recently. The handsets were also very rare and because of their unusual shape, very hard to get. We now have a source for both of these parts. There are no major common problems with the Macrotel MT-16T telephones. The phones can break and need repair (especially if abused) but the MT-16T is one of the very few phones we have seen without anything that "always" needs to be fixed.

The handsets on the MT-16T phones are not only uniquely shaped and hard to find but they do tend to have intermittent problems. Sometimes they will cut out and either not transmit, or receive. Then at other times they will work perfectly. Sometimes we can get them to act up by shaking, or tapping them but that does not always work.

The MT-16H systems were a very nice small system for their time. Built in was the ability to have up to 2 ports work with single line phones, cordless phones, fax, or answering machine. You can also get expansion cards for up to 8 more extensions (either single line ports or Macrotel phone ports). All the phones plug into the system with standard phone cords so it is very easy to figure out how to install the phones (they just plug in!) Note: The memory battery in the MT-16H system (and Excel) is a 3.6v NiCD battery with a life of only about 5-10 years. ALL the batteries NEED to be replaced! Unless the battery has been replaced recently then battery acid IS leaking out and corroding the main board. Also, weak batteries will cause the programming to become defaulted in a power outage and the system will have to be re-programmed. At default only extension 4 will ring. 

The Macrotel Excel KSU does not have the ability to use single line devices like the MT-16H system can. The system comes standard with the ability to have 16 Macrotel phones and 6 phone lines. There was an expansion card for an additional 2 phone lines but at this point they would be harder to find then bigfoot! so don't bother looking. Unfortunately if you want to install an Excel cabinet you have to deal with the large 25 pair (50 wire) amphenol connector and a punch down block...

The Macrotel Excel phones are almost as reliable as the MT-16T. The biggest problem is that they are usually a few years older and they are more likely to be worn out, yellowed, and the clear LED plastic windows tend to crack with age. There is a problem on some with low transmit from the handset and a part needs to be replaced on the main board to fix the problem.