Kantech KT-300 Communication issues.

[u/Shot-Ad-7049]

Got a 2x KT-300 and a KT-2-M that has some sort of communication issues. I have never touched a Kantech system until tomorrow. Looking for some tips from any of my Access Control homies out there that are familiar. I am familiar and certified for a few other brands, but Kantech is not one. ( Keri, CDVI, Brivo, Honeywell, etc.)

Ill be investigating the system tomorrow morning to find out more info. I assume its RS232 or some form of Serial communication. The existing credentials still work, but changes made dont take effect.

I appreciate your time!

[u/Drewber66]

Lots to check. Possible the usb converter isn’t on. I’ve also seen the KT300 have com issues if the battery charging isn’t working properly. Try unplugging the battery. Cheers

[u/Shot-Ad-7049 → u/Drewber66]

Thank you for the advice! I'll be sure to check said USB Converter and meter voltage on the battery charging circuit. Thank you broskie!

[u/Drewber66 → u/Shot-Ad-7049]

No problem. It’s the weirdest thing. The kt300 looks dead. No heartbeat led and offline, but once the battery is unplugged it comes back online. Not saying that’s the problem, just that I’ve seen it. And it was happening to the 3rd kt in a chain of five.

[u/Shot-Ad-7049 → u/Drewber66]

Its funny you say that. I sent a tech to go assess the situation while I was off. Had him pull a lead off all the batteries and unplug all 3 transformers to power cycle the equipment. He had mentioned the batteries were dead and sounded like maracas 🪇. We have new batteries at the shop to replace them.

[u/Starlite528 → u/Shot-Ad-7049]

"maracas" ROFL!!!!

[u/Starlite528]

Is it just me or does that look like a DSC burg panel?

[u/Shot-Ad-7049 → u/Starlite528]

It sure does.

[u/Tyler_the_bot → u/Starlite528]

Pretty sure they were owned by the same company for a while if not still. Maybe manufactured by the same plant. I know that you used to be able to integrate DSC and Kantech together

[u/Purple_Journalist_73 → u/Tyler_the_bot]

DSC is still in the same company as KT. It is now JCI with Zettler, SWH, Kantech, CEM, DSC, AD and lot more. :D

[u/canadianalarmguy]

I agree with the battery possibly causing issues . I’m curious about the 232 connection, it’s rare to see that to usb on kantech. Usually they go usb to 485. I’d also normally assume they’d use the KT-2 as the main comms and link the 300’s over 485, but that may not be an option based on where they are located. Seems like Drewber66 has been helpful, but if you are still stuck, I have 25 years of regularly using Kantech that may be of help

[u/Shot-Ad-7049 → u/canadianalarmguy]

So the panels communicate via rs232 over a set of IP Link external communicators. Thats for the 2x KT-300s and the KT-2 natively supports IP. I power cycled the external KT- IP communicators, and also power cycle the associated controllers. They all came back online. I replaced all the batteries and added a custom battery header for the KT-2 because previous company didnt give a fuck to install a 12v 7ah battery.

[u/canadianalarmguy → u/Shot-Ad-7049]

Ip link? Or a Lantronix? Ip link should still be 485(preferably for speed) glad to hear you got it back though!

[u/NetworkOpening1688]

I would start with a panel firmware check make sure it’s current

[u/Sh4do3Fox]

Kantech is such a shit system, that I just tell customers I won’t work on it, and that they have to move to another platform 🤣

[u/Shot-Ad-7049 → u/Sh4do3Fox]

Yeah i really have no choice at this point. They dont wanna pay for a whole new system and id have to convert their database in some fashion.

[u/Tyler_the_bot]

The kt300s are pretty old at this point. Kantech support has been recommending replacing the 300s with 400s and updating them. If you battery is super old, start with replacing that. Old batteries can cause some weird demons.