OBiTALK Community

General Support => On-Topic: Obihai and OBi Products => Topic started by: IndyNC on August 22, 2017, 03:45:25 PM

Title: Squealing/metallic echo on OBi200
Post by: IndyNC on August 22, 2017, 03:45:25 PM
I've had an OBi200 for about a year and a half using Google Voice. All of a sudden there is a squealing/metallic echo sound on all the calls and the dial tone as well.

I have tested another phone to make sure it wasn't that. And unplugged and replugged in the OBi's power too of course.

Anyone had similar problem and gotten it working or is it just time to buy a new OBi box?
Title: Re: Squealing/metallic echo on OBi200
Post by: SteveInWA on August 22, 2017, 04:22:36 PM
Hi:

So, it makes that noise as soon as you pick up the phone, on the dial tone, even before keying in any digits?

If so, and if it is doing that with two different phones, then yah, it's probably failed hardware.  Did you adjust the transmit or receive volume levels on the OBi?  If you did, then it's possible you set it too high, and it's causing feedback in your phones.

The first thing to try would be a restore to factory defaults.  The easiest way to do this is to pick up the phone and key in ***8, then 1 to confirm.  If it still squeals after that, it's defective.  If you have another power adapter with the same specs as the one that came with the OBi, you could swap it out to see if that's the culprit.  Many home networking devices (routers, switches) use power adapters with the same specs.  Otherwise, it's time for a visit by the Acme Anvil Company.
Title: Re: Squealing/metallic echo on OBi200
Post by: IndyNC on August 23, 2017, 07:43:44 PM
Yep, seems like trash time. Thanks for the help at any rate :)
Title: Re: Squealing/metallic echo on OBi200
Post by: Almighty1 on August 24, 2017, 03:04:54 PM
Probably just capacitors going bad as they usually use cheap low quality non-Japanese ones.  Just replace it with quality Panasonic, United/Nippon Chemi-Con, Rubycon or Nichicon branded capacitors and it will probably fix the problem.
Title: Re: Squealing/metallic echo on OBi200
Post by: SteveInWA on August 24, 2017, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Almighty1 on August 24, 2017, 03:04:54 PM
Probably just capacitors going bad as they usually use cheap low quality non-Japanese ones.  Just replace it with quality Panasonic, United/Nippon Chemi-Con, Rubycon or Nichicon branded capacitors and it will probably fix the problem.

Well, with the standard disclaimers, "No user serviceable parts inside.  Warning, the State of California has determined that this product may cause cancer.  Warning, the beverage you are about to enjoy is very hot.  Capacitors in mirror are larger than they appear.  Etc.."

Yes, there are (only) two electrolytic capacitors on the board, and they are Chinese JWCO brand, 100uF, 25VDC.  There's enough vertical room to probably fit a pair of nice Panasonic 220uF caps to replace them.
Title: Re: Squealing/metallic echo on OBi200
Post by: GPz1100 on September 26, 2017, 11:21:57 PM
To the OP, would you say this unit saw *LOTS* of use (talk time)?  Was it plugged directly into the wall, a power strip, surge protector, or ups?

I keep all our electronics on a ups, or at the very least a surge protector.  Actually ran out of outlets in the ups for all the internet related stuff - modem, switch, ap, firewall, obi.  Ended up plugging a generic 6 or 8 outlet power strip into one of the battery backed outlets on the ups.  Told the family NOT to plug anything else into the power strip. 

Our obi200 is also over a year old, so far so good.
Title: Re: Squealing/metallic echo on OBi200
Post by: Almighty1 on June 26, 2023, 05:08:20 AM
Quote from: SteveInWA on August 24, 2017, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Almighty1 on August 24, 2017, 03:04:54 PMProbably just capacitors going bad as they usually use cheap low quality non-Japanese ones.  Just replace it with quality Panasonic, United/Nippon Chemi-Con, Rubycon or Nichicon branded capacitors and it will probably fix the problem.

Well, with the standard disclaimers, "No user serviceable parts inside.  Warning, the State of California has determined that this product may cause cancer.  Warning, the beverage you are about to enjoy is very hot.  Capacitors in mirror are larger than they appear.  Etc.."

Yes, there are (only) two electrolytic capacitors on the board, and they are Chinese JWCO brand, 100uF, 25VDC.  There's enough vertical room to probably fit a pair of nice Panasonic 220uF caps to replace them.

Just for the record, I replaced the capacitors in my Obi202 with Panasonic FR series ones.  I kept the uF the same but went for a higher voltage on one of them. 

Mines came with 2 capacitors:
1) Chengx® 100µF 25V 0.25"/6.35mm Wx0.3125"/7.9375mm H
2) YST 10µF 50V 0.1875"/4.7625mm Wx0.4375"/11.1125mm H

For the Chengx® 100µF 25V 0.25"/6.35mm Wx0.3125"/7.9375mm H:
Panasonic FR EEU-FR1V101 35VDC Tolerance: -+20%, 6000Hrs@105C, Ripple Current 950mA@100kHz, Impedance 0.056@20C 100kHz

For the YST 10µF 50V 0.1875"/4.7625mm Wx0.4375"/11.1125mm H:
Panasonic FR EEU-FR1H100 50V Tolerance: -+20%, 5000Hrs@105C, Ripple Current 250mA@100kHz, Impedance 0.340@20C 100kHz

Photos:

(Before)
(https://i.ibb.co/1XnSpMR/image.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/BHpyf2B/image.png)

Capacitors - original on the left, replacement on the right next to it:
(https://i.ibb.co/7W3h6jM/image.png)

(After)
(https://i.ibb.co/BN602hz/image.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/wM0rPQh/image.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/5nSb2jB/image.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/SB5JRb5/image.png)