Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Hello,

I have a Protel payphone that I want to convert to home use.  I was able to re program the board, but it will not dial out.  It will only receive calls.  Also, it does not have a ringer.  Anyone know how I can do this?

BTW,  I saw on ebay a while back a conversion for the hook switch and keypad that would allow you to avoid having to use the existing circuitry in the phone, but now I can't find the kits.

Quote from: Kelpie on September 18, 2012, 03:54:50 PM
Hello,

I have a Protel payphone that I want to convert to home use.  I was able to re program the board, but it will not dial out.  It will only receive calls.  Also, it does not have a ringer.  Anyone know how I can do this?

BTW,  I saw on ebay a while back a conversion for the hook switch and keypad that would allow you to avoid having to use the existing circuitry in the phone, but now I can't find the kits.

I don't know enough about the Protels to answer your first question - for a ringer, you will need to use an external ringer. You can get one from Radio Shack which will plug into the line, and then the phone plugs into it.

Now, Payphone.com are the people that had the conversion board and they don't list it any more, but they do list the following:

http://www.payphone.com/Armored-Phone-Circuit-Board.html

which looks as though it should be able to be used. You should check with them before you order.

Dave

Got any info for him, Terry? I don't know enough about the Protels to advise him. I think he may still have a problem in the way he has programmed it.

Dave

I used to know quite a lot about Protel's. But that was 10 years ago...

They don't need external power but DO need a ground in normal use. It is possible that the touch pad won't work without the ground connected, I can't remember. If in "As Removed from Service" condition I would think you might be able to dial. Try numbers like "0" or "411" or possibly 800 #'s as they are more likely to complete without needing to see that coins have both been put in AND recognised by the CO. These use CO based Coin Line Equipment.

There are lots of different models as well. I am slightly familiar with 6520's and 6700's. I think those are the correct model #'s.

6520's had an electronic ringer on the main chassis.

As always lots of pictures including inside will help ID the model.

And having gone into programming might make it want to see a new download from the host computer which could leave it out of service now. Of course if it had never been programmed it wouldn't have worked anyway.

These phones are programmed and givien a phone number to call for the host and then a forced download is initiated to set everything up. Without that download you may not get it to do muchat all.

Terry

This is a 310 board.  I was able to program it to accept all calls and not require any coins to dial, but it's not dialing.  It also takes some kind of battery power to work as well.  I hooked up a 6 volt lantern battery and it seemed to work, except for dialing out.

I'll get a picture of the inside to post as well as check the keypad for a ground wire.

Thanks

Right....batteries. Is it a connector on the main board? I think it was a lithium battery battery pack located under a plastic cover on the back of the chassis that charged off of the 48VDC phone line an was used to operate the coin relay to collect or refund.

Terry

For a good ringer to use with these, see Ebay: 271063687252

http://tinyurl.com/cumb6lv

Just connect your line to it, and than run a line from it to L1 and L2 on the phone. This is often the best way to do it rather than trying to shoehorn a ringer and capacit0r inside the phone, and will leave your phone in original condition when you are done with it.

RS also sells similar ringers, but this one has a real bell, and not a warbler.

Question: Is the keypad the correct one for the board you are using?

Dave

Quote from: AE_collector on September 19, 2012, 07:39:21 PM
Right....batteries. Is it a connector on the main board? I think it was a lithium battery battery pack located under a plastic cover on the back of the chassis that charged off of the 48VDC phone line an was used to operate the coin relay to collect or refund.

Terry

Yeah, that's what it looks like.  The thing is that without the battery, the phone does not work at all.

Quote from: DavePEI on September 20, 2012, 05:42:36 AM
For a good ringer to use with these, see Ebay: 271063687252

http://tinyurl.com/cumb6lv

Just connect your line to it, and than run a line from it to L1 and L2 on the phone. This is often the best way to do it rather than trying to shoehorn a ringer and capacit0r inside the phone, and will leave your phone in original condition when you are done with it.

RS also sells similar ringers, but this one has a real bell, and not a warbler.

Question: Is the keypad the correct one for the board you are using?

Dave

The keypad looks like the right one.  Doesn't look to have been swapped out.  I did switch the tip and ring wires to see if that was the problem, but it didn't make a difference.

Thanks for the info on the ringer, I'll pick one of those up.

Well, now I can't get it to program.  All it does is keep signaling an error and then beeps like mad.  It's not worth fixing, so I might just pitch it or see if I can take apart an older wall phone to mount inside it and use it that way.

I have taken out the "smart" boards out and installed AE parts in some newer paystations .I have also used regular parts also
GTE 120b? parts might fit

Yes I am almost certain that AE 120B parts would fit inside.

Terry

Would this one work?

http://www.tullc.us/product.php?id_product=37

Not sure about the keypad connector.  The one I have has a 25 or 15 pin connector on a ribbon cable like this one, but older.

http://www.payphone.com/Protel-Keypad-Assembly.html

Protel is probably the best board to use for hobbyist applications since it can be easily programed for basic functions. 

I have 25-30 of them in storage and keep them around for two reasons, one being that they are all mounted in Western Electric housings and can be quickly restored back to original.

The other being, to give them to friends for their game rooms. I can quickly program them for the local prefixes and the phones will then allow outside dialing when the correct amount of coins are deposited.

If one wanted to, you could allow a COCOT remotely update its toll tables to allow L.D. calling.

Protel also made other boards to fit Tautang and GTE-style housings but I prefer the WECo-style instead.

Here are some diagnostic routines:            

Performing Battery Voltage Test
1. Exit diagnostic mode.
2. Lift receiver & listen for dial tone.
3. Dial * (star) # (pound) 67 (six, seven)
One .beep. = good battery; Two .beeps. = marginal battery; Three .beeps. = low battery

Performing Manual Battery Charge
1. Lift receiver & listen for dial tone.
2. Dial * (star) # (pound) 68 (six, eight)
3. Listen for .Please Wait. voice prompt & then hang up. The procedure should last
approx. 2 minutes & cannot be interrupted once it has been started.

*#61 Telephone number.
*#62 Software version and model numbers.
*#65 Telephone company's modem number.
                        
      

                        
Six-volts may be too high to allow the board to properly function and may have even damaged it since the correct voltage is 4.6-volts:


The 310 board was manufactured to fit GTE-syle housings.
                     
Also, are you connecting it to an outside source of dial-tone?

It generates its own dial-tone internally but the DTMF tones of the number you have dialed are stored until the proper amount of coins are deposited. Once the board  recognizes that it has received the correct amount it goes off-hook and listens for outside dial-tone and then dials the number. You need to connect it to a telephone line or pbx for a source of dial-tone before it will work correctly.

If the problem persist, try re-initializing the board.

From the manual-
A minimum of 22ma (mili-amps) (or 44VDC) loop current must be provided to the
payphone from the Telephone Company's Central Office. In certain situations, due to
the distance between the Central Office and the phone site, the loop current may not
meet the required level of 22ma. If the loop current is below 22ma, dial tone may not
occur or the phone may experience only momentary burst of dial tone.

Problem . No Dial Tone
Before You Begin Test the telephone line to determine if the problem is with the telephone line
or with the payphone.

Possible Cause 1: Telephone line dead or improperly connected
Solution: Check line for dial tone & check terminal block for proper connections

Possible Cause 2: Battery not plugged in or battery below 4.6 Volts DC
Solution: Plug in battery or test with meter for proper voltage (4.6 VDC)

Possible Cause 3: Stuck coin in trigger switch assembly (coin validator)
Solution: Unplug 4-prong trigger switch & listen for dial tone; If dial tone is
present while trigger switch is unplugged, but not when plugged in,
remove coin acceptor & trigger switch to find & remove stuck coins or
to separate shorted contacts.
            

I can't remember the code but there was one that would tell you how much money was in the coin box. That is as long as the vault switch was working so it would know when the box was pulled out so it could reset the total to zero.

Terry

Determining the Coin Box Amount

1. Lift the handset off-hook & listen for dial tone.
2. Dial * (star) # (pound) 4 (four) + your 4-digit coin box amount security code.
! The voice prompt in the handset should then prompt the current coin box amount.

Re-Setting the Coin Box Amount to Zero

1. Lift the handset off-hook & listen for dial tone.
2. Dial * (star) # (pound) 5 (five) + your 4-digit coin box amount security code.
! Verify that the voice prompt in the handset repeats "0".

Hope I didn't ruin the board.  I figured that since it had 4 AA nicad batteries hooked up that it would be 6 volts.

I am going to try to program it again using 3 AA batteries to get 4.5 volts.

If I do get it to program, does it require some outside signal to get it working?

If I can't get it to work, will one of those older AE 120B boards work?  They had some with the ringer on a website, but then I wonder about getting it to work without any coins since I figure the connectors for the coin mechanism I have may now work, and if it requires some outside source for programming.

I really don't want to get rid of it since it has all the parts for the coin mechanism, the coin box and I have all the keys.

The GTE boards can be set to free if I remember. I think the connectors to the coin microswitches are the same.You might need a GTE touch pad to go with the board.

Ni-cad cells are 1.2-volts (nominal) each. Four equal 4.8-volts.
Alkaline cells are 1.5-volts (nominal) each. Four equal 6-volts.

A 120B chassis will probably work ok but the reason I like the Protel is because it can easily be programmed to work like a payphone; collect or refund coins as would be appropriate when making a call. Kinda neat when demonstating for friends.

Quote from: G-Man on September 26, 2012, 02:00:09 PM
A 120B chassis will probably work ok but the reason I like the Protel is because it can easily be programmed to work like a payphone; collect or refund coins as would be appropriate when making a call. Kinda neat when demonstating for friends.

Aside from reinitializing them to their default programming, how do you program them without calling into them with a PC running Protel ExpressNet software?

Quote from: MaximRecoil on September 26, 2012, 05:11:15 PM

Quote from: G-Man on September 26, 2012, 02:00:09 PM
A 120B chassis will probably work ok but the reason I like the Protel is because it can easily be programmed to work like a payphone; collect or refund coins as would be appropriate when making a call. Kinda neat when demonstating for friends.

Aside from reinitializing them to their default programming, how do you program them without calling into them with a PC running Protel ExpressNet software?

It's programmable through the keypad as shown in the manual. But since its tedious to program specific rates for across the U.S. they also provide computer access to remotely program it. The other option is to simply program it through the keypad to charge a flat-rate for long distance calls over a certain distance. Yet another option is to have one of the TCI or ATCA members who have their own cocot companies to remotely program it with Protel ExpressNet software.

[snippets from manual]
If you were unable to provide us with your programming request at the time of your
order, please test the payphone to see if it charging acceptable amounts for local, toll,
long distance, & other types of calls. By simply dialing any number, the payphone will
give voice prompts of the required amount of money of the call if there is a charge. Below
is a list of typical programming the payphone will usually contain if the customer was
unable to provide us with programming request at the time of their order. Available
programming changes that can be done by the owner can be found on pages 10 through
13.
Typical Pre-Sets for [Protel]310 Payphones [boards]Not Pre-programmed to Customers Request
7-Digit Calls $.35 every 15 minutes
10-Digit Home Area Code Calls $1.00 every 2 minutes
Long Distance Calls within the U.S. $1.00 every 2 minutes
Information Calls $.75
1-800 Type Calls Free
Incoming Calls Free
If you would like to edit the factory pre-set programming, please see pages 10 through
13 for available programming changes.
If you are a customer using Protel ExpressNet Payphone Management software,
please refer to your Protel Pocket Reference Guide & your ExpressNet Manual for
instructions on Initializing & Programming the Payphone.

Okay, that all seems to apply to the Protel 310. What about the 8000? Earlier you said:

QuoteI have 25-30 of them in storage and keep them around for two reasons, one being that they are all mounted in Western Electric housings and can be quickly restored back to original.

The other being, to give them to friends for their game rooms. I can quickly program them for the local prefixes and the phones will then allow outside dialing when the correct amount of coins are deposited.

As far as I know, the only Protel chassis made to fit Western Electric housings is the 8000 (correct me if I'm wrong). So is the 8000 also programmable via the keypad? I can't find any mention of being able to do so in the 8000's manual.

Quote from: MaximRecoil on September 27, 2012, 09:57:51 AM
Okay, that all seems to apply to the Protel 310. What about the 8000? Earlier you said:

QuoteI have 25-30 of them in storage and keep them around for two reasons, one being that they are all mounted in Western Electric housings and can be quickly restored back to original.

The other being, to give them to friends for their game rooms. I can quickly program them for the local prefixes and the phones will then allow outside dialing when the correct amount of coins are deposited.

As far as I know, the only Protel chassis made to fit Western Electric housings is the 8000 (correct me if I'm wrong). So is the 8000 also programmable via the keypad? I can't find any mention of being able to do so in the 8000's manual.

In answer to your questions, yes, and yes. Please refer back to my earlier statement. It may be helpful for you to obtain the programming manual.

"I can quickly program them for the local prefixes and the phones will then allow outside dialing when the correct amount of coins are deposited."

Quote from: G-Man on September 27, 2012, 01:39:46 PM
In answer to your questions, yes, and yes. Please refer back to my earlier statement. It may be helpful for you to obtain the programming manual.

"I can quickly program them for the local prefixes and the phones will then allow outside dialing when the correct amount of coins are deposited."

I only have the Protel 8000 installation manual. I don't know where to get the programming manual.

By programming through the keypad, is it possible to change the number of rings before the modem answers? That would be the thing that would be most useful to me, because with its default programming, the modem answers after only one ring, which is an obvious problem if you want to leave the payphone connected to your phone line.

Well, I used the proper batteries to power the board and nothing works.  I am confident that the board is fried.

Does anyone know where I can get a board?  Will the AE board with the ringer work, and if so, how can I program it to dial out and accept all calls free?

HELP! HELP!:

My Protel payphone only allow 7-digit dialing within the area code.

But something is funny here, I am in Atlanta (area code 404, 770,678) :  The home phone that Protel hooked up to has 770 area code.

The payphone is from Greenville/Spartanburg  SC 864 area code . For some reason, it only allows 678 area code 7-digit dialing. If I call 7 digit number it works fine but only within 678 area code.

I don't know how 678 area code came into the picture. However, my cell phone has 678 area code.

I can't dial neither 10-digit nor 1+10-digit number and when I do my phone line give message "I cannot complete your call as dialed"

Please note: when I enter programming a to set up 10 digit number, any number, it works.

In addition, I cannot access diagnostic test either , after dial 902 to enter, it gives error 11.

Please help me enable 10 digit dial outside of this 678 area code, which I did not set up.

And please help me figure error 11  inside diagnostic test.

Thank you thank you...

vinny

Quote from: vinhvinny on April 28, 2015, 08:02:00 PM
HELP! HELP!:

My Protel payphone only allow 7-digit dialing within the area code.

But something is funny here, I am in Atlanta (area code 404, 770,678) :  The home phone that Protel hooked up to has 770 area code.

The payphone is from Greenville/Spartanburg  SC 864 area code . For some reason, it only allows 678 area code 7-digit dialing. If I call 7 digit number it works fine but only within 678 area code.

I don't know how 678 area code came into the picture. However, my cell phone has 678 area code.

I can't dial neither 10-digit nor 1+10-digit number and when I do my phone line give message "I cannot complete your call as dialed"

Please note: when I enter programming a to set up 10 digit number, any number, it works.

In addition, I cannot access diagnostic test either , after dial 902 to enter, it gives error 11.

Please help me enable 10 digit dial outside of this 678 area code, which I did not set up.

And please help me figure error 11  inside diagnostic test.

Thank you thank you...

vinny

Follow the instructions regarding the diagnostic test. Make sure that all of the stock Protel hardware is connected.
Also, you may need to upload a rate-base. If so, a Protel dealer resides on the ATCA list that may be able to assist you.

Protel payphones in my opinion were the best smart set ever made. There are a whole host of models. There are cc firmware boards in the 300 series,they are no longer able to be programmed the firmware has been upgraded. The boards you want are the 2000 board, 6000 board, 7000 board or 8000 board. 2000 board and 6000 fits GTE style case. 7000 and 8000 fit western electric case. Protel boards have two batteries,one holds the memory one controls the relay. You can not program a Protel payphone without the software! The most you can do is cause it to default to its default program. This is done by disconnecting the lithium battery by moving the disconnect pin or removing the battery for 30 minutes or so. If the batteries are old or dead the chassis will not work. The relay ni-cad battery charges why you talk so if you have a phone you have to use it at least once a week. Later models have battery charge programs and also have codes you can dial to charge the batteries. 310 is one of the cheapest and troublesome board. But it will work. I still run about 250 payphones in the correction market.

Thank you, thank you, gentlemen. I am getting there but...

I can't program long distance--code problem:

The manual you gave me above and another one I found have all the same call type rate band codes--I can program all these code not problem. But these two manuals have two different codes for long distance 6001 and 6008. None of of this code can be programmed.

And, my board does not look like any board I can find on the internet nor those board y'all mention 2000 7000 or 300 series: it has the yellow transformer distinctively located on the left hand side. Please see pictures. While on others, on the right.

Its model is CTR200 (pictured.)

So I concluded, all rate band codes are the same all models--I can program all these-- but the long distance code changes from model to model--so I need this code to program it. And my board does not look like any of these model, so the code must different, too

I search everywhere, i can't find this code nor my board info.

Please help gentlemen, you are getting me close to my dream.

Putting in 6 coins for only two minutes gets me really tired.

Gratefully Yours,

Vinny

The answer is here, the most comprehensive list:


TUCoPS :: Phreaking Public Phones :: prtl201.txt

Programming the Protel CTR-201 COCOT


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Programming the Protel CTR-201 COCOT
Edited by El Oscuro (C) 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting Inside (which you need to do to program the phone):

To open the case, first insert the square upper housing key into the
upper housing lock and turn counterclockwise (if you do not have the
key, then getting inside is an exercise left to the reader).  Then
insert the T-Key into the T-Key opening about 6 inches above the upper
housing lock, and turn it clockwise.  Now the upper housing should be
able to slide away from the lower housing.

Acquiring these two keys is left as an exercise to the reader.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Programming Basics:

At first this will seem more than a little tricky, so read this through
to the end, follow the examples and try to see how they relate to the
overall syntax.  It's really not as complicated as it first seems.  A lot
of COCOT owners can program their phones from memory, and believe me,
they're no geniuses.

All program entries are done in the program mode, using the keypad.

To enter Program Mode, push and hold the black Program Button which is
located on the left side of the circuit board, near the top.  Then pick
up the handset.  You will hear a single beep - now release the Program
Button.

In all Program Mode functions, one beep signifies a completed entry and
three beeps indicates an error.  To re-enter an entry, press # and wait
for the three beeps.

Program entries may be entered in any order.

To initialize the phone (restoring factory settings) enter Program Mode
and key the following:

00 NPA NXX XXXX *
47111 *

(Where NPA NXX XXXX is the 10 digit area code and phone number of the phone)


Changing or Establishing Rates:

The commands to change and add rates are in 7 sections, as illustrated here:

  6xxx  xxxx  xxxx   xxx   xx   0008   *
  (1)   (2)   (3)    (4)   (5)  (6)   (7)

1.Call Type Rate Band
2.Initial Charge
3.Additional Charge
4.Initial Time Limit
5.Additional Time Limit
6.Keypad Activity
7.Completes the Entry

Example:

6000 0035 0010 015 05 0008 *

The above entry would make Call Type Rate Band 6000 (7-digit calls,
non-specific) $. 35 the first 15 minutes and $ .10 each additional 5
minutes. The 0008 keypad activity means open keypad during the call.

To program a call to have no time limit, set the additional charge at
0000, set the initial time limit at 255, and set the additional time
limit at 01.

To disallow keypad use during a call, set the keypad activity at 0001.
To allow keypad use during a call, set the keypad activity at 0008.

All program entries are done in the program mode, using the keypad.


Programming Area Codes:

Note that the CTR-201 is only pre-programmed with the original N0X and
N1X area codes.

To assign area codes to a Rate Band, enter the Call Type Code Band
(which is the same as the Rate Band but with a 5 for the first digit
instead of 6) followed by an area code you want to add, followed by *,
followed by any additional area codes you want to add, each one
separated by *, and then complete the command with **.

Like this:

  5xxx  NPA  *  NPA  *  etc...  **

Example Entry:

  5063 888 * 877 **

...adds toll free area codes 888 & 877 & charge the rate established
under Call Type Rate Band 6063.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Rate Bands and Code Bands
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Call Type                                       Rate Band   Code Band
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-specific 7-digit calls                      6000
(i.e. local calls)

Special 7-digit calls                           6001        5001
(i.e. long distance 7-digit calls)

10 digit/ 1+10digit                             6008
Home Area Code calls

10 digit/1+10 digit local calls                 6072        5072
(Area codes with 0 or 1 as center digit)

10 digit/1+10 digit local calls                 6058        5058
(Area codes without 0 or 1 as center digit)

In-State Long Distance                          6067
(Area codes with 0 or 1 as center digit)

In-State Long Distance                          6057        5057
(Area codes without 0 or 1 as center digit)

Inter-State Long Distance                       6069
(Area codes with 0 or 1 as center digit)

Inter-State Long Distance                       6056        5056
(Area codes without 0 or 1 as center digit)

Canadian Long Distance                          6065
(Area codes with 0 or 1 as center digit)

Canadian Long Distance                          6062        5062
(Area codes without 0 or 1 as center digit)

Alaska & Hawaii Area Codes                      6071

411 & 1411 (local information)                  6082

Incoming calls                                  6088

1-555-1212 calls (information)                  6101

1+NPA+555-1212 (long distance information)      6102

10-10-XXX (long-distance Carrier Access Codes)  6103

1-800 calls (toll free service)                 6104

1-888 & 1-877 calls                             6063        5063
(added toll free service)

0 calls (local operator)                        6108

00 calls (long-distance operator)               6109

0+10-digit calls (long distance alt. bill-to    6110
call)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Restricting types of calls:

To restrict a Call Type Rate Band, just enter the Rate Band followed by *.

Example:

   6082 *

...restricts 411 type calls.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Setting up free calls!

To make a Rate Band free, enter the Call Type Rate Band followed by

  0000 0000 255 01 0008 *

Example:

   6082 0000 0000 255 01 0008 *

...makes 411 type calls free.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Programming free numbers:

To make a number free, enter 23 followed by the number exactly how it
should be dialed, followed by * to complete the entry.

Example:

   23 281 550 5592 *

...makes calls to the number 281-550-5592 free.


To delete a free number that has been programmed, enter 23 *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Programming Free Numbers on Speed Dial:

There are 12 Speed Dial slots numbered from *11 to *23.

To program them, enter 3 followed by the speed dial slot (11 thru 23)
followed by the phone number for that speed dial entry.  Then press * to
complete the entry.

Example:

   3 11 281 550 5592 *

...makes the phone dial 281-550-5592 anytime *11 is dialed.

To delete a speed dial number, press 3 & the speed dial code that is
being erased, & then the * key.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Programming for PBX Access:

To set up the phone for access through a PBX, first enter 24, followed
by the PBX access code, then press * to complete the entry.

Example:

   24 9 *

...makes the CTR-201 automatically add a 9 before calling the dialed number.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Changing the receiver volume:

To change the receiver volume, enter 27 followed by 1, 2, or 3, where 1
is low volume, 2 is medium and 3 is loud, followed with a * to complete
the entry.

Example:

   27 3 *

...sets the receiver volume level to loud.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Local 1+10-Digit Calls

If your phone is in an area with more than one local area code, and the
full 10 digits must be dialed for such local calls, rate band 6072 must
be set up with all the local area codes with a 1 or 0 as the center
digit, and rate band 6058 must be set up with the local area codes
without 1 or 0 as the center digit.

Examples:

   6072 0025 0025 003 03 0008 *  5072 212 * 718 * 917 **

...makes area codes 212, 718 and 917 25 cents every 3 minutes.

   6058 0025 0025 003 03 0008 * 5058 630 * 773 * 847 **

...makes area codes 630, 773 and 847 25 cents every 3 minutes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Separating Local and Toll 7-Digit Calls

In some area codes, 7 digit calls can either be local or long-distance,
depending on the prefix.

To set up the phone for this, first you should find out which there are
more of at your location: local or long-distance 7-digit prefixes.
Whichever is the majority should be the non-specific 7-digit Rate Band
(6000) and the minority should be the special 7-digit rate band (6001).

Setting up the prefixes in each of these rate bands works just like
setting up area codes in other rate bands.  First you set up Rate Band
6000 with the rates for the majority of prefixes (so if that means the
local ones, rate band 6000 should be set up for local 25 cent calls) and
then you set up Rate Band 6001 with the rates for the minority of
prefixes, followed by actually entering those prefixes into Code Band
5001.

Example:

   6000 0075 0075 002 02 0008 *
   6001 0025 0000 255 01 0008 *
   5001 550 * 556 * 578 **

...make prefixes 550, 556 and 578 25 cents a call and all other 7-digit
calls 75 cents every 2 minutes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adding 1-888 & 1-877 Toll Free Service:

Just set up rate band 6063 for free calls and then add the toll free
codes to code band 5063.

Enter 6063 0000 0000 255 01 0008 *
      5063 888 * 877 **

When 855 comes online, you will probably want to enter it thus:

      6063 0000 0000 255 01 0008 *
      5063 888 * 877 * 855 **

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Separating 10-Digit & 1+10-Digit Calls

In some area codes, you dial the area code and the 7 digit phone number
for a local call, and 1 plus the area code and 7 digit phone number for
a long distance call.

To make the phone distinguish the two, enter 311 followed by the area
code you are programming as local.  Then hold down the program button
and hit # 7 times.  Then release the program button and hit * to
complete the entry.  Then set up Rate Band 6089 as the rate for the 10
digit calls for this area code.

Note: 1+10-digit calls will remain in Call Type Rate Band 6008. Straight
10-digit calls within the area code being programmed for will be
assigned to Rate Band 6089 after using this procedure.

Example:

   311 281 (pgm. button down & # key 7 times) *
   6089 0035 0000 255 01 0008 *

...makes calls dialed 281 xxx xxxx 35 cents and calls dialed 1+281 xxx xxxx
long distance.


Programming a 211 Repair Number:

To program a 211 repair number, enter:

   6080 0000 0000 255 01 000801 *
   22 (repair number)

Example: 6080 0000 0000 255 01 000801 * 22 550 5592

...makes the phone call 550 5592 anytime 211 is dialed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Programming the Coin Box Amount Security Code:

Enter 293, followed by the four digit security code you want to use,
followed by * to complete the entry.

Example:

   293 1111 *

...sets the Coin Box Amount Security Code to 1111

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resetting the Coin Box Amount to Zero:

Make sure you are not in the Program Mode.

Pick up handset & listen for dial tone.

Dial * # 5 followed by your 4-digit Coin Box Amount Security Code.

Example:

   * # 5  1111

...resets the Coin Box Amount to Zero

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Determining the Coin Box Amount

Make sure you are not in the Program Mode.

Pick up the handset & listen for dial tone.

Dial * # 4 followed by your 4-digit Coin Box Amount Security Code.

Example:

   * # 4 1111

...prompts the phone to give the Coin Box Amount

The phone will give a 5-digit voice prompt, which is the amount in
cents.  The phone says "Oh" for Zero.

Example 1: 0 1 1 2 5 means $11.25 in the coin box.
Example 2: 1 3 4 7 0 means $134.70 in the coin box.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Default settings:

911 - Free

900 & 976 Calls - Restricted

7-digit calls - 25 cents unlimited time

Long Distance within the Home Area Code - $1.00 first minute, 50 cents
each additional minute

Long Distance in state (area codes with 0 or 1 as center digit) - $1.00
first minute, 50 cents each additional minute

Long Distance in state (area codes without 0 or 1 as center digit) -
No default, must be added

Long Distance interstate (area codes with 0 or 1 as center digit) $1.50
first minute, 75 cents each additional minute

Long Distance interstate (area codes without 0 or 1 as center digit) -
No default, must be added

Canadian calls (area codes with 0 or 1 as center digit) - $2.00
first minute, $1.00 each additional minute

Canadian calls (area codes without 0 or 1 as center digit) - No default,
must be added.

Alaska & Hawaii calls - $2.00 first minute, $1.00 each additional minute.

411 & 1411 information - 50 cents unlimited time

Incoming calls - Ringer on, free unlimited time

1 555 1212 information - $1.00 unlimited time

1-800 - Free unlimited time

1-888 & 1-877 - Must be added

10-10-XXX type calls - Not enabled

0 type calls- Free unlimited time

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://phreaking.iscool.net

In your initial post you failed to specify the model number so it is difficult to provide specific information when there are several different models of Protel payphones.

I'll reiterate that on this list, Payphone installer is one of the few Protel experts still around and is very competent.
The model that you finally cited, CTR-201 was cobbled together by G-Tel from old Protel parts.. "It is a recycled, very old Protel model, with the very old phone voice, and no modem, which means all programming must be done at the phone."

Yes, I agree.

You are all very helpful indeed.

One last question though, my Protel need 6V battery. I have 6 of these, I will only keep two and my other WE payphones, so I will hook them all up but barely use them. Say one or twice a month.

So how long will that 6V battery will last? I ve heard that the more you will the longer it lasts.

Thank you.

The problem with your Payphone is the rate file. Every smart or programable controller has to have a rate and options file. The Payphone rate file references the location of the Payphone by locating the area code and exchange of the Payphone then looking up in a series of tables wether the number you dial is local or LD and also how many digits it should dial. You can never get a smart phone working correctly unless it has a rate file installed. I am going to set up a generic program with a rate file in expressnet at my office. It will allow you if you have a later chassis with the right firmware to download your phone and it should work. I will post it here when I have it ready with the call in number. Jim

That would be great if you could do that Jim! Anyone with a suitable Protel could download the file. I might even have to find my two Protel 6520's.

Now can we get you into Milennium's and get access to Milennium Manager?

Terry

Hello, My hobby is refurbishing old payphones and kiosks and I have converted several mid 90's Protel single slots for home use. Rather than trying to reprogram the board, which may or may not work, do it this way. You will need a Bell coinless keypad/ hookswitch assembly, an armored coinless circuit board and a small ringer board. Disconnect the existing keypad/ hookswitch  from the main board and also disconnect the handset and remove the keypad/hookswitch assembly from the case. All of my phones have had one piece keypad/ hookswitch assemblies but if yours doesn't both the keypad and hookswitch have to come out as the replacement is a one piece unit.The armored circuit board has 4 keyhole slots and mounts to the back of the keypad housing using 4 screws that come already on the housing. You can mount the board before or after you install the keypad, it doesn't matter. The keypad plugs into the board using a 7-pin connector on the keypad ribbon cable and the hookswitch plugs in using a 2-pin connector on its cable. There are a couple different handset connectors on the board and all of mine have used the spade connector terminals. there is also a 2-pin terminal for the ringer board. There are screw terminals and an RJ-11 port for the phone line. I use the RJ-11. This is all you have to do. Keep the old keypad/ hookswitch and if you ever want to convert the phone back to payphone use all you have to do is swap the assemblies. I'm not sure what the rules are for listing websites and vendors but do a google search for armored phone circuit boards and you'll find the site you will need.Now this is not exactly cheap. The parts cost about $106 plus shiiping and try to buy them all at one time so as to save on shipping cost. I didn't have the money to that when i did my first one and ended up paying about $45 more in shipping. I hope this method helps you and anyone else looking to convert a payphone to home use. 

Yesterday I finally got the time to sit down and set up a generic program that should allow most of you to program your Protel 310,2000,4000,7000,6000 and 8000 boards as long ad they are firmware CD or DD firmware older boards with BB software are junk. You will know what you have if it works. First step is go on hook and press program button while holding the button down come off hook wait for a beep in the handset. One beep. Release button. Enter the payphones number at this point on the keypad. Do not dial one. Only area code,exchange and number. You must put in this number 555-555-5555 any other phone number will not work. I have created this test number for collectors and it will work anywhere. Now dial 25 and dial18882131795 then * (star) on the keypad,you should get a single beep, more then on beep is a failure,repeat the step. Now dial *#3 on the keypad (star pound three on the pad) the phone should repeat its phone number back to you which is 555-555-5555 then it will call and connect to my PC and expressnet will give you a download. Hang the phone up. Download could take several minutes. When you have dial tone on the phone again dial *#6 and it should give you the date and time of your download,if it does not,download was not complete of failed. Things that will cause a failure are dead batteries,or batteries not connected. Wrong firmware. Wrong phone number. Bad board. Bad keypad. This may or may not work on a VOIP line it just depends how the phone company has the line set up. Copper is best,land line. Good luck I will try and answer questions when I get time. I am busy running a phone company. Jim

WOW! That is very cool of you!  Almost makes me wish I had one to try it out.
Thanks.

Hi Jim:

I used to do quite a lot of work on Protel payphones, particularly trying to correct nagging problems that kept being reported via ExpressNet where the Telco's local coin repair guys kept ignoring them. It was 15 years ago now since I stopped doing coin install and repair though so I don't remember much. Your programming proceedure brought back memories. If it is okay I have inserted a few notes into your procedure below to help clarify the procedure and tell me if I messed anything up. My experience was all with 6520's.

I assume that your "collectors download" tells the phone to not call back to your Express-net computer on a regular basis? If it does people should know that their phone will use their phone line all on its own to call the 800 number on a schedule.

This will be very helpful for those with a Protel Payphone and is great of you to do this!

Terry

Quote from: Payphone installer on June 26, 2015, 08:06:46 AM
Yesterday I finally got the time to sit down and set up a generic program that should allow most of you to program your Protel 310,2000,4000,7000,6000 and 8000 boards as long ad they are firmware CD or DD firmware older boards with BB software are junk. You will know what you have if it works.

First step is go on hook and press program button (on main board) while holding the button down come off hook wait for a beep in the handset. One beep. Release the program button.

Enter the payphones number at this point on the keypad. Do not dial one. Only area code, exchange and number. You must use this number 555-555-5555 as any other phone number will not work. I have created this test number for collectors and it will work anywhere.

Now dial 25 and dial 1 888 213 1795 then * (star) on the keypad, you should get a single beep, more then one beep is a failure, repeat the step.

Now dial *#3 on the keypad (star pound three on the pad) the phone should repeat its phone number back to you which is 555-555-5555 then it will call and connect to my PC and expressnet will give you a download. You will probably hear it connect and hear data bursts in the receiver. Hang the phone up. Download could take several minutes. If you go off hook and still hear data just hang up again and wait. (I seem to recall downloads potentially taking up to 20 minutes - Terry)

When you have dial tone on the phone again dial *#6 and it should give you the date and time of your download, if it does not, download was not complete of failed. Things that will cause a failure are dead batteries, or batteries not connected. Wrong firmware. Wrong phone number. Bad board. Bad keypad. This may or may not work on a VOIP line it just depends how the phone company has the line set up. Copper is the best land line. Good luck I will try and answer questions when I get time. I am busy running a phone company.

Jim

Yes I erased the call in feature and report time and you are correct there are features that are not available on some boards. Glad I brought back memories, payphones were my life for a very long time they still are as far as collecting. Please add anything you can think of we have to lay this history down before it is lost forever. Now it's inmate telephones and video visitation for inmates still public communications. Jim  Google Combined public communications.

QuoteYesterday I finally got the time to sit down and set up a generic program...

A big thanks to Jim for making this service available. Thought I'd describe my experience with using it.

I have a WE single-slot with a Protel 8000 board, and using Jim's instructions to initialize the board, all went well.  I used a VOIP line (through Voip-MS) & a Lynksys PAP2T ATA, and the download took 1:11 minutes according to the call log.

I haven't had time to experiment much, but I do notice that the phone will not receive calls.  An incoming call causes the ringer to ring but continue ringing even with the handset off-hook--the behavior (I believe) of a board programmed to prohibit incoming calls.  This setting might can be changeable through keypad programming, but a full programming manual for Protel boards seems impossible to dig up.  I have such a manual for an ancient GTE board used in 120B phones, and that manual identifies this setting as accessible through the keypad. It's hard to believe that the same isn't true for Protel 8000s.

Thanks again to Jim.

Hi Jim,

I just wanted to add my thanks to you for making the programming download possible.  I have a Protel Ascension payphone and the download seemed to work just fine.  It got me up an running! :)

I wanted to make a few modifications using the keypad programming codes.  Specifically, I wanted the phone to allow incoming calls, and charge $.25 for every call (except for 911 and toll-free calls).  I was successful at enabling incoming calls, but I can't get it to charge $.25 as opposed to the $.50 you had set up.  I'm thinking it has something to do with the 555 area code you set up (I'm in area code 303).  I tried changing most of the bands, but no joy.  The phone seemed to accept my changes to all the bands I tried to alter(with a single beep).  But it wouldn't let me add any area codes to the bands (three beeps).  So it still charges $.50 per call.  :(

The programming codes I used are for the other Protel board (CTR-201) mentioned earlier in this message string.   I think these codes might be different for my board.  Sadly, a programming manual specifically for the board I have (7000c) just doesn't seem to be anywhere (at least nowhere I can find).

Would you (or anyone else) happen to have a programming manual or quick reference programming card you could share?

Lastly, where is the best place to obtain a T-key for opening the coin door and case?  My homemade nail version is not very elegant.

Any advice or suggestions from anyone will be greatly appreciated!

I have seen T Keys on ebay frequently. I assume you have the keys for your locks OR you dont have locks installed?

Terry

It didn't come with keys, so I had to drill the locks out.  What a mess!  Per a local locksmith, that was my only choice, as he said no other way in.  It worked out ok.  Only a couple of minor scratches and issues.  But it took over an hour to do!  I have a new found respect for the maker of these locks!

I don't really need the locks anyway.  I mean, if you can't trust your family, who can you trust! ;)

I'll check ebay.  Thanks!!

I found this key to work better than the flat ones. It was listed under the search "payphone t key" on eBay.

Everybody refers to 2 batteries. My phone has the 3 cell battery mounted in the plastic cover. where should the other one be? What does it connect to? What does it look like? Also sense the phone has to be grounded, I was going to connect it to the ground terminal of a duplex receptacle, any better options? Here is a pic of the ID tag if that is helpful.

Yeah, those "Northern Like" T Keys with the rounded tabs do seem to be smother to operate than the stamped steel type with the square edge tabs. Especially on NT Millenium payphones!

The protel 6520 boards also had a lithium (possibly a CR2 cell?) in a holder right on the board. I cant recall if it was on the front or the back of the board now.

Terry

Thanks Terry, i will look for it when I get my phone work area back together.

http://www.payphone.com/shop/instructions/310Manual.pdf


see page 11.

Quote from: Payphone installer on June 26, 2015, 08:06:46 AM
Yesterday I finally got the time to sit down and set up a generic program that should allow most of you to program your Protel 310,2000,4000,7000,6000 and 8000 boards as long ad they are firmware CD or DD firmware older boards with BB software are junk. You will know what you have if it works. First step is go on hook and press program button while holding the button down come off hook wait for a beep in the handset. One beep. Release button. Enter the payphones number at this point on the keypad. Do not dial one. Only area code,exchange and number. You must put in this number 555-555-5555 any other phone number will not work. I have created this test number for collectors and it will work anywhere. Now dial 25 and dial18882131795 then * (star) on the keypad,you should get a single beep, more then on beep is a failure,repeat the step. Now dial *#3 on the keypad (star pound three on the pad) the phone should repeat its phone number back to you which is 555-555-5555 then it will call and connect to my PC and expressnet will give you a download. Hang the phone up. Download could take several minutes. When you have dial tone on the phone again dial *#6 and it should give you the date and time of your download,if it does not,download was not complete of failed. Things that will cause a failure are dead batteries,or batteries not connected. Wrong firmware. Wrong phone number. Bad board. Bad keypad. This may or may not work on a VOIP line it just depends how the phone company has the line set up. Copper is best,land line. Good luck I will try and answer questions when I get time. I am busy running a phone company. Jim

Good morning Jim, This is my first post here and I thought I would ask if your procedure will work on my phone. I'm still not sure what company this phone was with but did find a tag which appears to be placed by the company. It is Quadrum Telecom. The board is almost identical to Vinnie's with the exception of mine is a Protel CTR200BB+ ISS4. The person I bought it from states that it was never used. It appears to be so. Once getting into the phone. (received with keys but no T key) 6V battery was disconnected and ground wire was screwed back to board. Battery metered at 2 volts. I have one ordered from Payphone.com. Tried to follow some programming instructions but couldn't get to first base as no dial tone. (bad battery I am assuming) I own a small farm and want to put this in my work shop. Lots of guys and friends coming and going and thought this would put a stop to LD calls from my land line going on my bill. Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to lend to getting this up and running.  Robert   Smith's Farms  KY

Your board is a 200 series board and will not work for a download. The 200bb board used very early firmware. If the firmware was available for download the phone would not function properly with the current NPA rate structure meaning 10 digit local dialing. I am not even sure that the guts in your current phone are even compatible with a newer board. The board you are looking for is the 2000 board with a dial and electronic chute not manual. May need a different dial pad and relay also. I probably have all those parts. I also live in KY and may have the correct rate file for your area.

Jim, Thank you for the reply. I kind of figured I bought an "Edsel" after reading lots of information here on the forum. Do you think the manual programming entry process could still work? I haven't received the battery pack yet so I can't attempt to do anything. My battery is reading 2v. I live in N.KY. Would be great if you were close. This is a great looking phone as it has never been used. Hope I can somehow get it to work. Thanks again.  Robert

Feel free to email me or send a private message.

I am in Northern ky also Cold Sprind Campbell county

Good morning Jim,  That's amazing. I live on a farm in Grantslick. I retired from NCR in 94.
Life is good. Looking forward to playing with this phone and communicating with you about my results. I don't want to stick a ton of money in this thing but it would be nice to get it working. Just being there will be a deterrent to the guys making calls. If they think they have to pay for a call, they most likely won't even try. 

You can email me directly at jimrayxx@aol.com

Quote from: Payphone installer on November 22, 2015, 08:48:38 AM
Your board is a 200 series board and will not work for a download. The 200bb board used very early firmware. If the firmware was available for download the phone would not function properly with the current NPA rate structure meaning 10 digit local dialing. I am not even sure that the guts in your current phone are even compatible with a newer board. The board you are looking for is the 2000 board with a dial and electronic chute not manual. May need a different dial pad and relay also. I probably have all those parts. I also live in KY and may have the correct rate file for your area.

Just wanted everyone to know that my phone has been upgraded and installed and working perfectly. Many thanks to Payphone Installer and his crew for making this happen. Below is a note I sent to him after getting phone installed. Also photo of the installed phone in my work shop at Smith's Farms.

Good morning Jim,  Just wanted to say many thanks for all your help. I was truly amazed at the size and scope of your business and your willingness to help me get the phone up and running. Your son Clark is a true professional. Courtesy and eagerness were foremost in his approach to setting up the phone. Please tell him and Chris and the others I said thank you. Wish I could have spent a little more time with you to talk a little about the old days.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays to all at CPC.

Good morning Jim, Hope you see this as this post is a couple years old. You rebuilt a payphone for me about a year ago or so. I think your son put 7000 guts in my phone. My question is in regards to the battery. Can that battery be charged with key entries on the keypad?  #*67 battery test is giving 3 beeps. If I use the phone for about 10 min. it goes back to 1 beep. Next day back to 3 beeps. Your son said if the battery goes bad to stop by and he would give me another one. If no keypad entry is available to manually charge, I may have to do that. Again, hope you see this post.  Thanks, R.Smith, Grantslick

We have batteries still it may charge back up with the code just depends on the version of software. If they are not used often they will always go dead.

Thanks Jim, All seems to be okay. I'll do the manual recharge at least once a week as the phone isn't used that often.  Thanks again, Robert

Hi Jim,

I used your call in number a few years ago to program my Protel Ascent phone.  It worked fine until recently when the ni-cad batteries went dead.  I replaced them and reset the phone to it's defaults.  I called your number for programming, but didn't hear what I remember as the modem negotiation sounds.  Just kind of a single tone.  I tried it through the pay phone and it was not successful at negotiating a connection.  Is your programming for 555-555-5555 still in place and usable?

Thanks!

Randie

I will try and remember to check it on Monday,are you using a standard line it will probably not work on a VoIP line.

Soon after my wife signed up for VOIP phone service (through Pioneer Telephone in Maine), my Protel Ascent payphone stopped working.  The batteries were dead, so I replaced them with a new set.  I couldn't program the phone by dialing up Jim's Expressnet, but I was able to get it working again with some manual programming.  But just a few weeks later, the new batteries were dead and the programming was lost again. :(   I don't think I have the discipline to keep swapping out batteries every few weeks.

So I've a few questions for anyone kind enough to answer:

1)  Do the batteries get charged only when the phone is off the hook, or does it charge all the time from the line?
2)  Is there something about a VOIP connection & device that would prevent batteries from charging?  Maybe not enough current on the line?  Is there a way to measure the voltage and current to see if it's sufficient?
3)  Is there a way to hook up a battery charger to the battery pack while it's connected to the phone?  It would be ideal if I could just power the phone via a transformer cube and have the battery pack just there for power outages (assuming it would also charge from the transformer).

Any advice, from anyone would be helpful!  Thanks

Randie.

They are charged only when phone is offhook.

Www.payphone.com has an external battery charger if you want to get it, and a second battery to keep a fully charged spare.

Or you can use the payphone more often. But i dont use mine all that much, and never had a battery issue. I also have a traditional landline, so I cant say if the VOIP has an issue with charging it.

*#68 will tell your phone to charge the battery. If you have a security code you will have to enter that after you enter *#68
*#67 will let you know if your battery has a good charge. 1 beep for good 2 for marginal.

My phones could go weeks without the batteries losing charge,. The problem I had was that corrosion developed on the connector where the battery meets the board and drained the battery. My system uses VOIP but the phones are connected to a channel bank and got charged fairly regularly. On the one phone I rigged a solar panel with charger that kept the enclosure light and fed back to the Protel battery. Simple LM series 5 volt regulator and comparator to prevent overcharging. Using a MagicJack,  will keep the Protel phones charged for a while but once the battery goes down too much it cannot recharge . The Sipura boxes seem to work as does the  Asterisk FXS interfaces. Ooma seems to also work but I never tried Vonage.

Quote from: Payphone installer on February 04, 2017, 08:11:26 PM
We have batteries still it may charge back up with the code just depends on the version of software. If they are not used often they will always go dead.

I came up with a workaround for that for my Western Electric payphone (Protel 8000 chassis), because when I first got my payphone up and running in 2012 I bought one of those premade battery packs for it from Payphone.com and after about 9 months it was so dead that it wouldn't even hold a charge anymore (I rarely use my payphone).

To get around the problem I needed better batteries than those cheap Ni-CDs that come in the premade battery packs. So I bought a plastic battery holder (this (https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mpd-memory-protection-devices/BC4AAW/BC4AAW-ND/66733) one) and the right type of connector (Molex SL series 2-position; I bought the actual Molex connector and pins and crimped them on, but you can also just cut the connector off a dead premade battery pack and splice it onto the battery holder wires, if you don't have a Molex crimping tool).

The best rechargeable battery you can get is Sanyo/Panasonic Eneloop, especially for applications where the batteries sit for long periods of time without being recharged (due to their very low self-discharge rate: 70% retained charge after five years). The Eneloops I have can also be recharged 1800 times, which might as well be a lifetime in this case. And each one has a 2000 mAh capacity (newer Eneloops have even more impressive specs), compared to the 600 mAh capacity of each of those cheap NiCDs in the premade battery pack. As a bonus I can recharge them in the battery charger that I already have (a Sanyo brand one that was bundled with the first pack of Eneloop batteries I bought in 2012; $15.47 total).

I did that in the summer of 2013, and despite hardly ever using the payphone (I often go many months at a time without even picking up the handset), the Eneloops have always tested good (one beep) when doing the *#67 battery test. I swap them out with freshly recharged Eneloops maybe once a year just for good measure, even though they are still at about 1.3 volts each after that amount of time. I've bought a total of 12 Eneloop batteries (4 of them in 2012 and 8 of them in 2013), and I use them interchangeably in my payphone, digital camera, and flashlight. They all still recharge and hold a charge like new.

Here's a picture of it (with the premade NiCD battery pack on the left for comparison):

(https://i.imgur.com/N9xxzy5.jpg)

And here's a picture of it in my payphone:

(https://i.imgur.com/RAmajM3.jpg)

Quote from: MaximRecoil on September 01, 2018, 12:55:02 PM
I came up with a workaround for that for my Western Electric payphone (Protel 8000 chassis), because when I first got my payphone up and running in 2012 I bought one of those premade battery packs for it from Payphone.com and after about 9 months it was so dead that it wouldn't even hold a charge anymore (I rarely use my payphone).

To get around the problem I needed better batteries than those cheap Ni-CDs that come in the premade battery packs. So I bought a plastic battery holder (this (https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mpd-memory-protection-devices/BC4AAW/BC4AAW-ND/66733) one) and the right type of connector (Molex SL series 2-position; I bought the actual Molex connector and pins and crimped them on, but you can also just cut the connector off a dead premade battery pack and splice it onto the battery holder wires, if you don't have a Molex crimping tool).

The best rechargeable battery you can get is Sanyo/Panasonic Eneloop, especially for applications where the batteries sit for long periods of time without being recharged (due to their very low self-discharge rate: 70% retained charge after five years). The Eneloops I have can also be recharged 1800 times, which might as well be a lifetime in this case. And each one has a 2000 mAh capacity (newer Eneloops have even more impressive specs), compared to the 600 mAh capacity of each of those cheap NiCDs in the premade battery pack. As a bonus I can recharge them in the battery charger that I already have (a Sanyo brand one that was bundled with the first pack of Eneloop batteries I bought in 2012; $15.47 total).

I did that in the summer of 2013, and despite hardly ever using the payphone (I often go many months at a time without even picking up the handset), the Eneloops have always tested good (one beep) when doing the *#67 battery test. I swap them out with freshly recharged Eneloops maybe once a year just for good measure, even though they are still at about 1.3 volts each after that amount of time. I've bought a total of 12 Eneloop batteries (4 of them in 2012 and 8 of them in 2013), and I use them interchangeably in my payphone, digital camera, and flashlight. They all still recharge and hold a charge like new.

Here's a picture of it (with the premade NiCD battery pack on the left for comparison):

(https://i.imgur.com/N9xxzy5.jpg)

And here's a picture of it in my payphone:

(https://i.imgur.com/RAmajM3.jpg)

That's a really good idea. I haven't had any issues with my rechargeable pack (yet) but I will be putting this on my to do list.

I recently acquired a payphone with a Protel 8000 board. The board was damaged, but I was able to order a new one from payphone.com and get their help with programming it.

I stumbled across this thread last night and saw the programming instructions in post #31. The poster referenced a Protel CTR-201, but do these also work for an 8000? Using those instructions, I was able to program a free phone number as well as a coin box security code. However, I was unable to program a 211 repair phone number. I tried a few times and it still dials a toll free number likely associated with the previous operator.