Viking Electronics VIK-K-1900-3 250-Number Apartment Entry Dialer

Overview

The Viking Electronics VIK-K-1900-3 is a telephone-line-powered door entry dialer built for multi-tenant residential and commercial properties that need to connect visitors to up to 250 individual units without pulling a dedicated power circuit to the entry point. It converts any touch-tone phone into a fully functional apartment intercom station, storing tenant dial numbers and keyless entry codes in non-volatile E2 memory — so a power outage won't wipe your programming. For property managers and integrators working with access control systems, this is a reliable, self-contained entry solution that pairs directly with the existing telephone infrastructure.

Key Features

• 250-Tenant Capacity with Non-Volatile Memory: Stores up to 250 telephone numbers in E2 non-volatile memory, meaning tenant programming survives power loss. No re-programming after outages — critical for high-turnover residential buildings where maintenance calls are expensive.
• 250 Keyless Entry Codes: Supports up to 250 independent keyless entry codes, allowing per-tenant or per-zone code assignment. Revoke a single code without affecting others — useful for managing contractor access or unit turnover.
• Telephone Line Powered: The VIK-K-1900-3 draws power directly from the telephone line, eliminating the need for a local 120V AC outlet at the door. This simplifies rough-in considerably at exterior entry points where running a power circuit adds cost and conduit. Note: a 120V AC/13.8V AC 1.25A supply is referenced for the panel enclosure configuration.
• Hearing Aid Compatible Amplified Handset with Volume Control: Rotary handset volume control and hearing aid compatibility keep the unit ADA-relevant without add-on hardware — a specification requirement on many multifamily RFPs.
• 1–32 Digit Programmable Speed Dial: Each tenant entry can store dial strings up to 32 digits, accommodating PBX access codes, extension routing, and VoIP dial plans that require prefixes — not just 7- or 10-digit PSTN numbers.
• Dual DTMF Dialing Speed: Normal mode runs at 120ms on/off; fast mode drops to 50ms on/off. Fast mode reduces call-setup latency on responsive telephone systems — helpful when tenants complain about slow door response.
• Relay Contact Ratings: Dry contact relay rated 5A @ 30V DC / 250V AC handles most electric strike and magnetic lock loads directly without an intermediate relay. Verify your strike's inrush current — high-inrush locks may still need a snubber or buffer relay.
• Talk Battery Output: 32V DC nominal talk battery powers the handset circuit — standard for Viking intercom handsets and compatible amplified headsets in the K-1900 Series.

Integration & Compatibility

The K-1900-3 is designed to work with standard PSTN analog telephone lines and is compatible with Viking K-1900 Series hearing aid compatible amplified handsets. It integrates with electric strikes and magnetic locks via its onboard relay (5A @ 30V DC / 250V AC). For properties migrating to VoIP, verify your ATA or telephone adapter passes DTMF tones correctly — some ATAs attenuate DTMF in ways that affect reliable dialing. Explore the broader Viking Electronics intercom and entry product line for panel enclosures, handsets, and accessories designed around this dialer. For complete entry system planning, see our door entry systems category and electric strikes compatible with dry-contact dialers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many tenants can the VIK-K-1900-3 support?

A: The VIK-K-1900-3 stores up to 250 telephone numbers and 250 independent keyless entry codes in non-volatile E2 memory.

Q: Will tenant programming be lost during a power outage?

A: No. All telephone numbers and keyless entry codes are stored in non-volatile E2 memory, so programming is retained through power interruptions.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for the VIK-K-1900-3?

A: The unit is rated for 0°C to 32°C (32°F to 90°F) operating temperature. This is an indoor-rated range — installations in unconditioned vestibules or exterior enclosures in cold climates should use a heated or insulated enclosure.

Q: Can the VIK-K-1900-3 control an electric strike or magnetic lock directly?

A: Yes. The onboard relay is rated 5 Amps at 30V DC or 250V AC, which covers most standard electric strikes. High-inrush magnetic locks may require a buffer relay or snubber circuit.

Q: What is the warranty on the VIK-K-1900-3?

A: Viking Electronics provides a 2-year limited manufacturer warranty on the VIK-K-1900-3.

Q: Does the VIK-K-1900-3 work with VoIP telephone systems?

A: The unit is designed for standard analog PSTN telephone lines. It can function with VoIP via an analog telephone adapter (ATA), but you should verify that your ATA passes DTMF tones reliably, as some configurations attenuate DTMF signals and may cause dialing issues.

James Everett

The VIK-K-1900-3 is one of those workhorses I keep specifying for mid-size multifamily retrofits precisely because of the 0°C to 32°C operating range limitation — it forces the conversation about enclosure selection early, before rough-in, rather than after a service call in January. The 250-number capacity and matching 250 keyless entry codes cover most garden-style apartment communities without requiring a networked access control platform, which keeps the total installed cost well below card-based alternatives.

Technical Highlights:

• Non-Volatile E2 Memory: Both the 250 tenant numbers and 250 entry codes survive power loss — no battery backup needed to protect programming, and no truck roll after an outage to re-enter tenant data.
• Dual DTMF Speed (120ms / 50ms): The fast 50ms mode meaningfully cuts door-open latency on responsive telephone systems. In buildings where tenants buzz guests from a cell phone app, that half-second difference in call setup is audible and appreciated.
• Relay Rating (5A @ 30V DC / 250V AC): Directly drives most HES and Folger Adam electric strikes without an intermediate relay. This keeps the panel wiring clean and reduces one potential failure point in the door release circuit.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 0°C to 32°C operating range means this unit is strictly indoor or climate-controlled enclosure only. For exterior vestibule installations in northern climates, factor in a thermostatically controlled heater in the enclosure budget — do not assume the building lobby temperature covers the entry alcove.
• The 32-digit speed dial field accommodates PBX prefix routing, but verify DTMF pass-through on any VoIP ATA in the system. Some SIP trunks default to RFC 2833 in-band DTMF, which may not interact cleanly with the dialer's timing — test door-release codes before sign-off.

Best fit for a 100–250 unit garden apartment or mixed-use ground-floor retail retrofit where the property already has analog POTS or an ATA-extended PBX, and where the budget does not support a full IP-based intercom deployment.