I have continued to work on some new projects (despite my bank account and lack of space telling me not to). So, I have a couple new things to share with everyone here.
The first, which I had previously posted about obtaining an enclosure for, is a 3-bay Simplex 4100+ panel. This panel is an absolute tank weighing in at 175 pounds. It has been essentially fully completed at this point, just missing a few things and it’s ready to go on-line for testing.
Here are its features & functionalities:
1 MAPNET II SLC
8 Class B Zones
RUI/Annunciator Support
Voice Evacuation
Includes message memory expansion board for audio channel 1.
Also includes message expander for audio channel 2.
Firefighter’s Telephone
4 120V/24V Relays
12 Signal Circuits (6 audio, 6 general)
12 LED/switch modules (driven by 3 LED/Switch controller cards)
8 x Red/Yellow LED w/o switch
1 x Green LED w/o switch
1 x Audio Control w/ switch
1 x Red LED w/ switch
1 x Red/Yellow LED w/ switch
Here’s what I still need to add:
Network Card
Backup VTG for Audio Channel 2
Backup VTG for Audio Channel 3
Source a lock latch for the cabinet!
I have most of the harnesses for the panel, but I am waiting on a few crucial ones to get the panel to power up. After I get those, I just need to connect them all (there are many…)
The second panel, which has been on my “want-list” for a while is a Simplex 2001! This is the smaller “repackaged” version in a single 1-unit red cabinet. The panel worked when I powered it up…for about 5 minutes, then developed some problems which have sadly made the main parts of the panel unusable. I suspect that some transistors on the master fire/trouble control card have failed and will need to be replaced. I am just waiting on a DigiKey and eBay order to arrive and then I’ll attempt to repair the panel.
Here are the 2001’s features & functionalities:
8 Class B Zones
2 Signal Circuits
2 Auxiliary Relays
Continuous-run Coder Module
This panel is essentially complete in its current state and will likely not receive modifications unless I find something I want to add.
As for the 2001, I will likely use exclusively 2903-series devices on there. I am thinking I’ll use the 2903-9101 strobe plates and 2903-9006 dual-bulb light plates. Horns will either be 9838 or 9833, as was common during those panels’ production era.
Close, actually. The LED modules came from a very large 4100+ system that was demoed out of a hotel in Chicago, where per-zone annunciation is required by code, similar to Canada.
I did not. Those were just stock photos from eBay. I actually don’t even own a 9105 yet I need to buy one lol. The panel is comprised of parts from about six different 4100+ panels all cobbled together so it won’t ever be original, but it is built exactly how I want it!
Quick update for everyone. My DigiKey order arrived and after some soldering work on the 2001, the panel is now operational again.
I replaced all six transistors on the main control card and the main filter capacitor in the power supply, but funny enough, neither of those were the issue.
There ended up being some very subtle corrosion present on some of the nuts that hold the big voltage regulator (shown below with red circles) in place on the main PCB, which I believe was causing the ground reference to be very weak, hence it not outputting voltage properly. I cleaned the corrosion and got the proper voltage out of the regulator, assembled everything and it worked!
The 2001 is now operating normally and all of the weird quirks are gone. I probably didn’t even need to replace those transistors, but it will prolong the life of the main control card. I’ll attach some photos of that process!
