Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Replace apartment station for Nutone N485 intercom?

I came here via this thread (http://forum.doityourself.com/electronic-alarms-home-security-devices/371955-condo-intercom.html), and you were so helpful there, I'm hoping you may have a direction to point me in.

I'd like to change out the intercom in my condo. It is an old Nutone N485, 4 wires plus a ground. The reasons I'd like to change it are:
- The buzzer is the most terrible sound that would alarm the dead.
- The talk/speak function doesn't seem to be working.
- It is dated looking, doesn't look like it was changed when they were converted from apartments into condos in 2002.

The wires to the speaker actually were cut, but a handyman fixed that for me (it was a foreclosure, assuming the previous owner was sick of the condo association ringing his bell to get him to pay his dues). I can now hear it buzz, but still no luck on the talk/listen.

It looks like this - it does have the controls for two doors, but as far as I know it only controls one (there are 12 units in the building and two entry doors, one half have buzzers on one door, the other on the other half):
http://www.foxelectricsupply.com/Content/Media/Images/Category/n485a.jpg

Is this replaceable in just my unit, or would it require the entire building to change?

Thanks in advance for any guidance or places to look/questions to ask.

the whole system would need to be replaced.

the "buzz" you hear is a noise that is made, there is no mechanical buzzer.


you should know if it opens the other doors- when you let someone in, does it matter which way you slide the switch to open a door?? if so, then the other way is to open the door you dont use.

also the outside stations would be for all 8 units at both doors- if you only see 4 at the door you use & 4 at the other then, there is 2 systems installed on the building

the whole system would need to be replaced.

the "buzz" you hear is a noise that is made, there is no mechanical buzzer.


you should know if it opens the other doors- when you let someone in, does it matter which way you slide the switch to open a door?? if so, then the other way is to open the door you dont use.

also the outside stations would be for all 8 units at both doors- if you only see 4 at the door you use & 4 at the other then, there is 2 systems installed on the building

Thanks - there must be two systems then. One door has six buzzers for the south units, the other door has six buzzers for the north units. I'll have to get someone to go outside and see if the opposite door is also controlled by my buzzer, although that's not really relevant since there is no way to ring the buzzer so I would know someone is there. Yes, I slide to the left to open the South door.

I'll have the handyman check the main system part and see if the volume on the talk/listen is turned up, if there is one. It's a real drag that I can't hear/talk to someone at the door.

Man, that buzz sound is terrible!!

your station may be bad.

the same buzz noise that you hear when they "ring" your door bell at the front door is fromn the same speaker where the voice would be heard from.

the volume is adjusted for the whole gang, not just you or any of the others.

those same systems have been used for years, 10's of years.

get the model number and check out e-bay™ or other online places to see if you can find a replacement.

if you didnt notice- there is a huge hole in the wall where it is mounted if you remove it.