I recently acquired a "never installed" Ernest Telecom D3 payphone and I would like to use it in my home. I have it open and have tried connecting it to my line but it refuses to respond in any way.
The battery was dead on the smart board and I have replaced it.

I would like to find any documentation, wiring diagrams or advice on how to get it operational.
At this point I would be happy to hear a dial tone!

Please advise. Thanks!

I have a D3 that I have had running for several years. It is currently connected to my Asterisk system via a Sipura PAP2 ATA. The coin controller works quite well, even from the reduced line voltage provided by the ATA.

I have instructions for attaching an LCD display to the connector on the control board. This is quite easy to do and allows programming most features from the keypad. The LCD also displays call progress messages and coin deposit requests and total coins deposited. I leave mine connected andmounted on the inside of the phone for quick programming changes, but it could be mounted externally in a project box.

I also had to replace the backup battery and coin switch. The switch was only about $5.00, as I recall. I also wired up a ringer from an old Western Electric 500 set to the ringer connector on the board. The D3 board has the capacitor needed for the ringer.

I also have the D3 manual and programming software that can be used to remotely program the phone. The software requires a 1200 baud connection to the internal modem of the phone. I configured an old modem to lock the 1200 baud connection speed with AT commands. I then connected the modem to anothe ATA port and called the phone via Asterisk using the D3 software. I was able to completely program and backup the phone with this method.

My phone came with an installed rate table file. Unless you have a way to create a new table, there is no way to change this with the software. Instead, I populated rate table "override" values with the software to get the rates I wanted for my local area. This works fine for all numbers, except international numbers.

Let me know if you want the Windows software, manual, and LCD instructions. I can email to you in a zip file.

Don

I have an Ernest payphone and I am looking for the software and manuals to program it. How can I tell which model it is? I can not find a model on it anywhere. It is touchtone with no display. It works fine except it answers with the modem when someone calls the house after 3 rings. I would like to change that so that my answering machine picks up before the payphone does. Can anyone help with manuals and programming instructions?

I just picked up a Ernest D3 and haven't been able to locate a manual or the programming software anywhere. I would really appreciate you sending me copies of them and your LED instructions if you would.
Thanks,
Bob

Hello, I have a payphone with the D3 board, if you could email me the manual and software, that would be of great assistance. I can't find either anywhere. Any advice on setting up the payphone for home use also appreciated. This looks a little complicated.
-Timm

There are two ways to program the D3. The first is to acquire the LCD module that attaches via ribbon cable to the board. You do the programming via keypad.

The second is to acquire the T2 remote program and program the phone via modem and computer.

Rcaman

I would love it if you would send me a copy of the software and how to hook up lcd display!!! Thanks in advance Delmar

PM Sent

Rcaman

Rcaman, may i get the same info please?

Thanks

PM Sent

Rcaman

Hi Rcaman, I'm looking for the same thing as everyone else. Just bought an Ernest 7D-3 payphone. I need to replace the battery, then attempt to program it. The software/manual would really help (and if I can get it to function, I won't fee so foolish for paying $80 for a phone that doesn't work). Thanks, Warren

Same as everyone else here, too. I picked up a brand-new 7D-1 unit that was part of Canada's infamous Universal Payphone Co. "Millennium" scam. It's got the early 7D-1 board, the card reader and the LCD display, but will only allow certain things to be programmed in using the LCD display and keypad, so I was hoping to have a go with the Telelink software (if anyone has it) to see if I can change the other parameters (mostly I just want to change the ring-before-modem-answer from its current 3 rings to something like 20 for use on my home line.)

The other thing it's doing is this: you'll program it through the keyboard and have apparent success, then later on you'll pick up the receiver and get dead air. Hooked it up to my line simulator/digit grabber and the modem seizes the line and it keeps automatically dialing a long-dead number at seemingly random times - presumably to get a rate table or software download. Be nice to make that go away, and reinitializing it etc. doesn't help.

Any assistance appreciated. Not much on the web save some manuals for other Ernestel products which are all in the "well...*some* of it works on my model..." category.

Cheers.

Andy

The previous owner of your telephone programmed E.T. to "Phone Home." Since it hasn't reached the mother ship, it will never quit trying if the board senses a wet line.

There is only one way to clear that problem and that is with Telelink.

If you want it I have it.

Rcaman

Hi, Rcaman. I'm still hoping to find software and instructions to program my 7D-3 Ernest payphone. Has anyone had any luck doing this? Thanks, Warren

Hello rcaman - I'm in the same boat everyone else seems to be. I recently acquired an Ernest D3 payphone and am searching for the ability to reprogram it. Information on connecting the LCD and programming the phone would be much appreciated! Thank you!

rcaman,

I would appreciate it you can send me the software and manual as well.

Thank you,
Marcin

I've got a D3, too, and want to figure out how to get that LCD screen hooked up so I can figure out what's going on with this phone. A while back I got a dialtone when I hooked it up to my phone simulator, but after trying it today, there's nothing. Not sure what suddenly went wrong.

Rcaman, think you could upload the LCD/software details somewhere public and stick a link in this forum? That way you won't have to answer PM requests until the end of time.

The D3 has a reset button in the middle of the board. You may have had a power incident and the phone may be in a loop.

The LCD connects up to the header that has bare posts sticking up about half way on the left side of the board or, if a later board, there is a header on the top of the board that looks like a floppy or hard drive IDE connector. That's where the LCD connects.

As far as the programming manuals and T2 software, I will gladly provide that, but for a price. If you want the software and or manual, PM me and I'll quote you a price.

Rcaman

HI

I have version 2.62 of the Telelink remote programing software for a Model 7 - D3 board but can't install the software on a Windows 7 32 bit computer. Is there a later version that will install? If not, is there a walk around to get the install to complete. I get messages "can't install commdlg.dll" at the beginning of the installation. I assume its trying to copy it to a not longer used system directory.

I would greatly appreciate receiving an emailed zip file with a version that might work.

I bet you would. Telelink was discontinued in the 1990s. If you want to use Telelink, I suggest you get an old computer and install DOS 6.22. Then you can communicate with the board.

Rcaman

Will T2 software referred to above also work with windows 7? IF so, how can I get a copy of the software?

It ONLY works with DOS and the best version is DOS 6.22. I have never been able to get it to work with anything but DOS, however, some people reported that it works in XP if the Service Pack is 1 and not 2.

Rcaman

Could you please send me a copy of the software and what LCD I will need and parts list with digram I need to install the lcd.
Thanks

Please send me a copy
Thanks

Sure, How? Please send me a PM. Thanks.

Rcaman

Hello I just picked up a ernest D3 1997 payphone and saw that at one time that u had the windows software, instructions for attaching a LCD screen to the board and manual. I am in a jam and have been trying to find this information to get my novelty payphone up in running. If u could pass this information along or know of where I can find it it would be greatly appeciated. thank u very much.
P.S. my email is [email protected]

I wonder if the software would run inside of DOSBOX? I use DOSBOX to run the Alcatel USI software to talk to our MDR5600 radios.

I too have the D3 Board, but no way to program it. Is there a way to build or buy a LCD screen? I just happened to stumble accross this forum searching for a battery for the board. Any info on a interface for programming would be helpful. I do have a couple of DEC Rainbow 100's collecting dust in storage that may be of use to program as well.

Thanks

Don, I have an Ernest D3 phone and was looking for a copy of the D3 manual. I have the software and software manual, just no manual for the board. My email is [email protected]

TonyC

Don hasn't been around since 2012...