More Lightning Problems

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

Well, it's happened again. I just took another lightning strike and lost my Vonage adapter among other things. This time it was apparently a direct hit to a power line, because I lost a garage door opener, a chlorinator pump, a gate opener, and (alas) the Vonage box. The gate opener actually spewed pieces as far as 10 feet into the yard.

My experience with customer service wasn't as good as last time. I started by calling the 888 250 1799 number and had a CS rep in seconds. Unforturnately, he had to forward me to tech support, where I waited on hold for about 20 minutes, then got a recording that said to try calling back later. Click.

I called back, spewed a bit at the CS rep over what had happened, and got his assurance that I would be connected with tech support immediately. What I got was a message indicating a 25 minute minimum wait. This time I hung up and called CS again. The lady I got this time admitted that the wait for tech support would be a long one, and that there was nothing she could do, so I agreed to try later.

I elected to try once more by calling the regular support line right away. Naturally, I connected with India. My first call failed because the automated system sent me off into never-never land. Surprisingly, my second call got me connected with "Adam" right away. He listened, had me run a check or two, and agreed that it was dead. A few minutes of business details and he had arranged to send a VT2442 and had given me an RA number to return the RTP300 (Fairwell, old friend; you deserved better.) Total calls- 5; total time- 1 hour. Confirmation Emails arrived within the hour.

Hopefully I'll have my Vonage phone back in a few days. Hopefully my wife won't have a conniption. The savings seem less important every day.

Posts: 152 · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:56 pm Post subject:

Lightning isn't fun. Do you have protection and suppressors in all of the usual places? I am a Ham Radio operator with a tower, antennas, and lots of etc. I have extra ground rods and arrestors at the electrical service entrance, telephone demarkation (I have DSL), coax entrance into the house, as well as protectors for the house and all major electronics.

I've been fortunate to never have had a direct hit, but I've suffered "close ones" and numerous spikes, surges, and static discharges. So far, no damage.

Posts: 164 · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:23 am Post subject:

Steve your esperience is just about what I went thru on my lightning hit. I spent a bit longer on phone but seem to get same results. I lost my RTP300 two Tues ago (07/19) and new one was received on Friday 07/22. The over/under is about 90 minutes so you did a bit under. Unfortunately they cannot sent it til Monday and you will most likely not have it til Wednesday. 2nd Day Air.

I did learn that simulring can be used with no adaptor connected which can make things a bit easier as many cell phones can ring.

Posts: 152 · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:29 am Post subject:

bg4 wrote:

I did learn that simulring can be used...

...or the Network Availability Number.

Posts: 164 · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:59 am Post subject:

Probably didnt explain this enough.

Yes users should have a network availability number set-up but that only rings one phone and IMHO is really only for short outtages.

During my three days of no adaptor I used call forwarding/simulring and setup my cell phone and wifes so that they both rang when soneone called our Vonage number. Cold gin said you could do this. I never should have doubted him. The upside is that it is "almost" like having two extensions on your line and they dont even have to be in in your house (or same state for that matter).

Posts: 152 · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:10 am Post subject:

bg4 wrote:

Probably didnt explain this enough.

You are right, sorry.

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

Xnewuser- Yes, I have arrestors and grounds, though maybe not the array that you have. VonageTPA encouraged me to check after my last incident. It's a bit frustrating that the RTP300 went out, since my arrestors seem to be all right and I'm using an UPS with surge protection and phone line protection for the network devices.

BG4- I figured my CS experience was pretty typical. I did get an Email from DHL today- Sunday!- with a waybill number, so it appears that Vonage has done its thing pronto. Unfortunately, you're right about the delivery date- Wednesday.

Posts: 276 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 276

xnewuser wrote:

Lightning isn't fun. Do you have protection and suppressors in all of the usual places? I am a Ham Radio operator with a tower, antennas, and lots of etc. I have extra ground rods and arrestors at the electrical service entrance, telephone demarkation (I have DSL), coax entrance into the house, as well as protectors for the house and all major electronics.

I've been fortunate to never have had a direct hit, but I've suffered "close ones" and numerous spikes, surges, and static discharges. So far, no damage.

Unfortunately, nothing can protect against a direct lightning strike. Surpressors and surge protectors are good for power fluctuations and spikes in the electrical current, but a direct hit from lightning is too powerful for anything man-made to withstand, especially if the strike is of a positive nature.

Posts: 152 · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:21 am Post subject:

UMP25 wrote:

... especially if the strike is of a positive nature.

There is nothing positive about a direct lightning strike. Wink

Posts: 276 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 276

I just hope others understand that reply, as well as the original comment about positive vs. negative lightning. Wink