Digital panel meters | Large displays | Bargraphs | Transmitters

Control your messages with Logic inputs

Discrete switch inputs
Binary logic inputs 24V NPN or PNP
BCD logic inputs 24V NPN or PNP

You can store your messages using one of 2 methods...

Use the InfraRed keyboard to program messages
Use a PC to program messages

If you have less than 10 messages, the remote InfraRed keyboard may be used, but you will probably find the PC method easier and faster.

What will you need?
As a minimum, you'll need the following items for PC programming your display and calling the messages using logic inputs...

An Alpha message display
A DIN mounting processor, part E9920-1112
A DIN mounting PSU, part E9920-1113
A DIN mounting 8 bit input module, part E9920-1114
A serial cable from the DIN processor to the display
A serial cable from your PC to the DIN processor
An 18-26V DC supply for the DIN mounted processor
A suitable PC programme, such as Message Manager (LT)

The logic input modules accept 8 lines.
For binary or BCD inputs, you'll only need one input module.
For discrete logic inputs, you can add more input modules, but no more than 4 input modules (32 bit limit)

Before you program any messages, we suggest you make a list of all the messages you want to include and give each message a unique file name as described below.

Also, decide what you want the display to show when no messages have been called - perhaps you could show the time, date, or any other information which may be useful whilst the display is idle.

We suggest you give all message file names the same prefix (here we used info) and the same number of ID digits (here we use 2 digits, allowing 00 to 79).

So, your file names will have the format info00, info01, info02 etc.

info00 will be your idle message file name.
info01 will be message 1 file name
info02 will be message 2 file name and so on.

The numeric value of the logic input you use will call up the file of the same number

So, message info15 will appear if...
... you activate line 15 in discrete input mode (2 modules)..
... you activate lines 1,2,4 and 8 in binary mode..
... you activate line 10 and 1 and 4 in BCD mode

[To the top of the page...]
[How to open the input module case]
[How to select NPN or PNP input]
[Input function overview] ----> [BCD] [Binary] [Discrete] [Extend discrete] [Counter]
[How to wire modules to display and PC]
[How to program with Message Manager (LT)]

Counting mode...

The counter mode allows you to embed a cumulative numeric value within a text string, for example " Total = 5466 so far "

You must programme the text into the display using the InfraRed keyboard - you CANNOT use a PC to do this.

The Input ports have the following functions...

I0=Count up or down in 1s
I1=Count up or down in 10s
I2=Count up or down in 100s
I3=Count up or down in 1000s
I4=Count up or down in 10000s
I5=Store a value in CPU
I6=Recall stored value from CPU
I7=Count direction UP / DOWN

Normally, you will store the value 0 in the CPU, with I5, as a value you can reset to.
Then, when you activate I6, the display will return to 0. (I6 acts as the Reset input)

To commission your counter for the first time, use this procedure...
1. Trigger I5 and I6 high, at the same time, for 5 seconds
2. Wait 1 minute before proceeding.
3. Program your sign with the descriptive text in message [A] and placeholder for the count value.

An example of this, with the message "Count = X " would be...

[HLD][NHL][SS7][RED] Count = [STR]1

Counter jumper configuration for the logic input board

[To the top of the page...]
[How to open the input module case]
[How to select NPN or PNP input]
[Input function overview] ----> [BCD] [Binary] [Discrete] [Extend discrete] [Counter]
[How to wire modules to display and PC]
[How to program with Message Manager (LT)]

How to program your display with Message Manager (LT)...

Message Manager LT is a simple and user friendly program which helps you to program messages, preview them on your screen and then send them to your display.

It lets you save folders, each containing groups of messages which you can download to one or many or individually addressed displays.

This guide gives you the basic steps you'll need. It does not cover all features available on Message Manager (LT).

For each message you want to create, click on File>New>Message as shown here...

Step1

Now, click on the model of your display. In this example, we are using a 4080C.

Step2

Now, click on the area we've circled in Red. This lets you choose the display format (if possible on you display) of single or multiple lines.

Step3

The following 2 screens show the options we have on the 4080C , either Double line...

Step4

...or Single line ...

Step5

Here, I've chosen the single line. A blank display appears on your screen, along with buttons and tools to let you edit the appearance of your text.

The 4080C lets you choose the colours, font height, width etc.

Step6