LED Sign ROM Chip (alpha/adaptive 320c)

MrD

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Not exactly sure where to put this, so throwing it in here. I have a scrolling LED sign - it's either an Adaptive or Alpha brand (all the same). Model 320c. Some of these came in different flavors - specific to the application. These signs have an RS323 interface.

I have some of their other signs, models 4120c. With these, a couple of them had different ROM chips then the others, and I couldn't communicate with them So I copied the ROM from one, and burned another. Then they worked fine.

According to this site, http://alpha-american.com/epromlist.html

I can't communicate via RS232 with this sign. The current firmware is 1043-5001J. The letter changes for each new version. However, my version is 1043-5009. That's why I suspect the firmware isn't stock, and maybe isn't setup for the RS232 that I'm using.

So, I'm trying to find a more stock firmware. It doesn't even need to be the latest, but really just a stock version. I CAN buy a new replacement from Alpha for $120. I can buy a whole sign now for $300.

Any chance any one has this model of sign ?
 
A friend just got a model 4160C for free today! It didn't come with the remote, but I found brand new ones on ebay for $25.

I don't like adaptive's website. It sure is hard to find information.

I noticed their signs can be made to communicate with computers by several methods: RS-232, RS-485, or Ethernet. However, you have to buy the correct "communications adapter" for your needs.
 
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Correct. You need the right cable. I have 4 x 4120c - slightly smaller than the 4160c. I have the PDFs and specs. I can post them if you need anything. I'm using a digiport server so basically 16 serial ports connected to my network. Then rj45 to rj12 cable. I'm trying to setup sport scores and news on all my displays.

Search on YouTube for the 4120c arcade animations. I'm trying to do something similar.l as well.

I wondering if I'm using the wrong settings for rs232. Depending on the version of firmware, it's either 8n1 or 7e2. Older versions only use 7e2. My others use 8n1. Going to try that tonight.
 
Ken-

This document shows the RJ12 pinout. http://www.alpha-american.com/alpha-manuals/M-Cables-Adapters-Interfaces.pdf I'm using the RS232 connection.

Here is a page that talks about making the cable.

http://wls.wwco.com/ledsigns/alpha/cable.html

It's really just 3 pins but I had an issue if my RJ12 cable was straight thru or cross over.

Once I got it connected (for the 4120s) it works great.

There is very little software out there that I can find. There is a demo version of the Alpha software - which you can use to test with. It just adds a demo at the end of your message on the sign. I was in contact with the guy that did the arcade animations and he did send me some of his software. I have been piecing together my software components to do all this. Once I get my signs working I'll share the final result.
 
My friend that got the sign just got it yesterday and it didn't come with the remote. We haven't even plugged it in yet, but I understand you need the remote just to turn on the power?

My friend runs a coin shop and he wanted the sign to display real time gold and silver prices. Sort of like the sign manufacturer says you can do real time stock market quotes.
 
Mine turns on as soon as you plug it in. No need for a the remote for that. I "think" there is a way to turn it off with the remote - or at least make it sleep, but plugging it in should bring it up.

It will display the firmware version, and the memory amount (probably 32k). Then any message that is saved in it. With the remote you can set the date and time, sign address (if you had more than one, etc). Programming the sign is pretty easy - press program, then start typing, then hit run (twice I think). That's the easy way. Shows automatic affects - sometimes it slides in, changes color, etc. There is more to it if you want, but it can be that simple.
 
This doesn't really help me, but might help someone else working with a 4120c. There were at least 2 different protocols used - EZ95 and EZII. EZII is the newer version. I pulled these from my 4120c signs.

Did some more testing on my 320c last night. When I plug in a cable, the remote stops working. Not sure if this is by design or a cabling issue. Same cable works with 4120c. Maybe it's grounding something out. Doesn't shut down the sign but it doesn't program either. Checked my cables, and I don't see anything off, but from the documentation I can find, there are a couple slight differences.

I did pull the cover to the EPROM chip. Labeled NORTEL. I suspect my sign came out of a call center and was specifically used for call statistics tied to a phone system. I tried all different baud rates, and 8N1, 7E1, 7E2. nothing.

Might have to resort to ordering a new chip, and see if that works. Or, just use this sign for static messages and use the remote to program it.
 

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I looked in my friend's sign. His chip is labeled:

1018-5403K

4160C EZ95

One thing I noticed with sign (now that the remote control for programming it has arrived) is that it can't set the year (for time/date settings) past 2009. I'm wondering if we also need a newer eprom version?
 
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He just ordered the latest version of the eprom, 1018-5403SP for just $70 from Adaptive's website. It is listed on their website now as SKU # 10185403SP.
 
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I looked and they don't have any for my sign (320c). Did he call them and they added it for sale? I was quoted $120 via email.
 
I'm going to have to see if I can get them to give me a new firmware at that price. The one I was quoted was double that.

I also just picked up a 7200c sign really cheap. I'm going to read out the EPROM chip, just so I have a copy. It's a much bigger sign. Up to 4 lines. Going to have to do something cool with these.
 
The 4 line signs are typically used for stock market tickers.

My friend's new chip he ordered might arrive today.
 
This doesn't really help me, but might help someone else working with a 4120c. There were at least 2 different protocols used - EZ95 and EZII. EZII is the newer version. I pulled these from my 4120c signs.

Correcting myself here: The evolution of Alpha protocol was: EZII, then EZ95 (Alpha 1.0), then Alpha 2.0, then Alpha 3.0

My screwy custom firmware was chronologically different so the newer firmware was still the old EZII and neither firmware would do EZ95. I'm finally getting my signs corrected to newer firmware for both EZII and EZ95.

I've been playing around with graphic images on these (logos - Atari, Nintendo, Sega, Taito). Also working on some animations. I'll post up some pictures when I get a little further along. I'll most likely have a couple extra 4120C signs when I'm done as well. I'll probably post them in the for sale section.
 
My friend never got his new chip. He paid, but the transaction never completed from what I hear. I think he still has the sign in the back room somewhere. I know he definitely bought the special remote control for it.
 
A couple pictures of my 4120c sign with some logos. A little slow going, but I'm getting there.
 

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Just an FYI if anyone else is playing around with any alpha/adaptive LED signs:

You can get the demo Alphanet software from adaptive's website. If you set up a "site" that isn't reachable (bad IP or invalid COM port, etc), you'll get an error when the software tries to transmit the data to the sign (ALT-T from within the editor). It will also show you a Job# for that transmission. When there is an error like this, Alphanet creates a sub directory in the Alphanet directory named the same as the job#. under that will be a file called transmit.ezt. That file is the data stream that is sent to the sign. If you are trying to customize the data stream (with some other variable update - news, scores, etc), you can use Alphanet to test, and create a stream, and then alter it. I "think" it's also including a checksum at the end, but that can be deleted also.

I've also been using a program called VSPE to create virtual ports, and it has a "spy" function to monitor the stream as well, but it isn't necessary if you can find this file.
 
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