How to program an LED sign.

[Yossarian451]

My school threw out, to what my understanding was a working, LED sign it is 5 feet long, made by a company Called spectrum. I was a lucky SOB for getting, but the Student Council was just throwing it out since pepsi sponsered them and gave them a new one. Now, the bad part is that they had already thrown out the power cord and I have no idea how to program this thing. Here is some info in case anyone kniws anything about it. There is a power plugin that looks just like that on the back of the computer (i.e. the three prong deal) which says "8 volts AC only", (which leads to the question how and where do I get an 8 volt ac). Next it has an old DIN connection (assumedly for a keyboard), and next to that a 14 pin connection of some sort, not sure for what(again assuming for the device which helped to program it). I thought this would make an awesome dorm ornament if I could get it working, I wondered if anyone had ever used anything like it or if there was something I would have to build to program it. Ohh and additonal information, it is made by a company in Houston called SPectrum, serial#: ES20069. Thanks for any info!!


Edit: Just noticed that it is an Alpha 460

 

[Special K]

Here is what I found:

Spectrum Corporation

If you click on the software link it goes into more detail about what you need to program the signs. I didn't read the pages extensively, but it should give you a starting point.

 

[Jeff7]

Isn't it amazing what big organizations will just throw away?

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Any chance of putting up some pics of those 3 connectors?

 

[Yossarian451]

Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage
Any chance of putting up some pics of those 3 connectors?

I thought about that I but don't have a digital camera.

Edit: I will try to describe the connection. There are 14 pins 7 in line on top 7 inline on bottom, both lined up, on the left and right sides, right beyond the pins are little platics squares one on top one bottome, 2 on each sides( there is a gap between them). I will add a pics in a sec.
Here is a crude drawing.
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Yossarian/14-pin-connection.jpg

 

[Yossarian451]

Originally posted by: SpecialK
Here is what I found:

Spectrum Corporation

If you click on the software link it goes into more detail about what you need to program the signs. I didn't read the pages extensively, but it should give you a starting point.

Thanks I looked for that company for 15 min last night, anyway, mine must be older since the model is not listed anywhere, and all of theirs use 120 VAC connections and RJ11s. I will keep reading their support and maybe even e-mail them, but if I could figure this out it would be nice.

First off, how would I get 8 volts AC??


Edit: I just noticed that it is an Alpha 460

 

[syberscott]

For 8 volts AC you would need a transformer. The most common I've seen are 16 volt transformers with a center tap. You need to find out how much current the sign draws in order to get the correct transformer.

 

[Yossarian451]

I already sent an e-mail asking for user manuals or techinical specs. I hope they answer me.

 

[Yossarian451]

Damnit, still no response.

 

[hevnsnt]

do you, um, Gooooogle?
Manual

 

[Yossarian451]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
do you, um, Gooooogle?
Manual

Wow, you are a saint, that is the very thing. I see that it used a proprietary keyboard, but I am thinking it also used the old DIN keyboard too. I f I can get a transformer then I can get the thing running, and I will surely firgure out how to program it. thanks guys for all the help, it seems I am really horrible at google, maybe I need to be less specific or maybe more, don;t know.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Yossarian451

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
do you, um, Gooooogle?
Manual

Wow, you are a saint, that is the very thing. I see that it used a proprietary keyboard, but I am thinking it also used the old DIN keyboard too. I f I can get a transformer then I can get the thing running, and I will surely firgure out how to program it. thanks guys for all the help, it seems I am really horrible at google, maybe I need to be less specific or maybe more, don;t know.

With Google, I think you can be as specific as you possibly can be. My dad tried looking for lyrics to a song there, so he typed in lyrics. Ok, so more than 17 million matches...maybe a little bit more specific. Typed in the entire name of the song (duh), and Google found it of course. Begun, the training has. Much to learn...

 

[Yossarian451]

Naw, the problem was I had spectrum and wallboard in there, when I used only alpha 460 I found it.