How to make Generic Whelen Transporter for B-Link & Smart Messenger

C17LVFD

Member
May 21, 2010
1,537
Harrisburg, PA
Good Afternoon All,

I recently got a new to me Whelen Smart Messenger. I didn't want to spend 200-800 dollars on a Whelen Transporter and didn't want to send the unit out to be programmed. After doing some research I stumbled upon a post by Michiel Sanders who found a way to use a RS232 to RS485 converter to program his Smart Messenger. See this thread... http://elightbars.org/forums/threads/whelen-blink-b-link-serial-thread.5914/page-3 ... Post 100.

This got me thinking. The converter he used is quite expensive about 200 dollars when I looked online. Again, didn't want to spend that much money...

What I came up with is a transporter that costs about 20.00 to make! I haven't had time to finish this project off with a project box but it works! The only thing this doesn't do that the OEM Whelen Transporter does is store information.


Parts list:

- Generic RS232 to RS485 converter (Approx 5.00 on ebay)

- DB9 male to female extension cable (approx. 5.00 on ebay)

- Project box (approx. 5.00 on ebay)

- Switch/LED/Wire/Connectors (workbench misc. materials)

- Power Supply (User supplied… needs to be 12v DC)


Connections:

- DB9 to DB9 serial port on the computer. Unknown if it’ll work with a USB to serial emulator

- 12v on RS485 to 12+ from power supply

- (-) Ground on RS485 to power supply ground

- Tx (+) to blue data wire of Whelen Messenger or MPC01

- Tx (-) to grey data wire of Whelen Messenger or MPC01

Connect power supply 12+ to both RS485 and power input of Whelen Messenger. No need to connect Whelen Messenger controller for programming

Connect power supply ground to both RS485 and Whelen Messenger ground wires. Again no need to connect Whelen Messenger controller for programming

Add a power switch capable of 5amp @ 12v and a LED indicator for on/off status or lit on/off switch

Connect all wires…

Turn on power supply.

Set Com port in the Messenger software.

Test Com port communication.

Read Messenger….

I recommend power cycling messenger before trying to write back to the messenger.

That's it! Best of luck!!

SethIMG_2684.JPG IMG_2683.JPG IMG_2686.JPG IMG_2680.JPG
 

wilsonbr90

Member
Sep 30, 2013
1,427
Corning, New York
You are going to make a ton of people happy. Should this work programming b-link bars like the mpc-01?
 

C17LVFD

Member
May 21, 2010
1,537
Harrisburg, PA
You are going to make a ton of people happy. Should this work programming b-link bars like the mpc-01?

Thanks! To the best of my knowledge yes. It's the same protocol as far as I'm aware. I have a MPC01 coming to me to test and verify. The MPC01 should be to me in about a week.

Seth
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rene Foppes

irun4fundotca

Member
Jul 7, 2016
25
Sydenham, Ontario
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Rene Foppes

Storm4200

Member
Nov 2, 2011
2,912
NJ
It worked flawlessly on a BLink setup with a MPC01 that I just did. Bravo sir.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rene Foppes

C17LVFD

Member
May 21, 2010
1,537
Harrisburg, PA
I have yet to get the b-link software. I have one just haven't gotten around to asking for it. So can't speak to it. But I have used it to program my smart messenger and that worked beautifully.

Seth
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rene Foppes

Rene Foppes

Member
Aug 15, 2010
53
Amsterdam Netherlands
Thanks to this topic and the tips from Travis Hendon I've purchased the RS232 converter and DB9 cable from ebay, installed the software on my old Toshiba Tecra 8000 laptop and will give it a go as well on one of my Messenger boards


ai628.photobucket.com_albums_uu1_fopneus_other_parts_IMG_20160709_WA0000.jpg_zpsowxenhf3.jpeg
 

irun4fundotca

Member
Jul 7, 2016
25
Sydenham, Ontario
does anyone know what the programming settings are to enable the BLTAREM module?
it runs the smaller traffic advisor lights on the bottom
 

Attachments

  • P7200266.JPG
    P7200266.JPG
    252.5 KB · Views: 18
  • P7200272.JPG
    P7200272.JPG
    259.2 KB · Views: 17
Last edited:

shues

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 21, 2010
10,276
NW Indiana
I know it's minor, but the last letter is actually an M instead of an N. It's BLTAREM, probably for B-LINK Traffic Advisor Remote. I don't know anything about this equipment, but I figure that maybe you can find more information with the correct spelling.
 

irun4fundotca

Member
Jul 7, 2016
25
Sydenham, Ontario
ahh thanks it was a typo on my post
it is for the traffic advisor 8 lights on the rear of my model

I ordered one of the usb ones to try
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121588453392

Software arrived today
added some screenshots
message me I can send the SC Programmer v5.3.3 iso if someone needs it
 

Attachments

  • s-l1600 (1).jpg
    s-l1600 (1).jpg
    78.5 KB · Views: 41
  • Screenshot 2016-07-26 19.59.16.png
    Screenshot 2016-07-26 19.59.16.png
    21.7 KB · Views: 42
  • Screenshot 2016-07-26 19.58.42.png
    Screenshot 2016-07-26 19.58.42.png
    52.1 KB · Views: 45
  • Screenshot 2016-07-26 19.59.04.png
    Screenshot 2016-07-26 19.59.04.png
    24.8 KB · Views: 47
  • Screenshot 2016-07-26 19.59.09.png
    Screenshot 2016-07-26 19.59.09.png
    18.9 KB · Views: 180
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jamebtr69

irun4fundotca

Member
Jul 7, 2016
25
Sydenham, Ontario
Adapter arrived today and works with win7
got it to say successful flash! and bar works as intended! Thanks

Driver I used for the adapter Listed above
http://blog.pennybuying.com/down/fb/FB043A.rar

Procedure for the MPC01
Click Utilites menu in the software select Initalize Comm Port
Click Program menu in the software or OUTPUT tab
Click transfer to transporter
On mpc01 Hold down AIR HORN & Button #9 before switching on power
(you will see the 3 leds flash above the slider selector after boot)
Release the buttons now
Click the Transfer button
power off after successful flash



attached is the program save file I used for mine

astatic.rcgroups.net_forums_attachments_3_9_6_1_0_4_a9239561_237_P7290277A.jpg

 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2016-08-04 17.24.02.png
    Screenshot 2016-08-04 17.24.02.png
    18.4 KB · Views: 15
  • Current001b.zip
    790 bytes · Views: 5
  • Screenshot 2016-08-30 18.34.38.png
    Screenshot 2016-08-30 18.34.38.png
    16.1 KB · Views: 19
  • Screenshot 2016-08-30 20.13.44.png
    Screenshot 2016-08-30 20.13.44.png
    20.7 KB · Views: 13
Last edited:

irun4fundotca

Member
Jul 7, 2016
25
Sydenham, Ontario
on another related serial data project
I'm currently experimenting using a programmable touch screen to replace the MPC01 for b-link data, I made a simple screen layout for testing and can output the commands directly using its tx/rx pins

the software allows for custom command output values on touch/release events

Bringing the B-link series into the future!
 

Attachments

  • P8050290.jpg
    P8050290.jpg
    233.2 KB · Views: 30
  • P8050291.jpg
    P8050291.jpg
    267.3 KB · Views: 33
  • Screenshot 2016-08-05 11.50.14.png
    Screenshot 2016-08-05 11.50.14.png
    186.7 KB · Views: 31
  • Screenshot 2016-08-05 11.56.57.png
    Screenshot 2016-08-05 11.56.57.png
    345.3 KB · Views: 26
Last edited:

five0fan

Member
Oct 27, 2015
34
New York
The joy of jerryrigging...still not being able to program my MPC01 due to a communications failure even though I'm using XP.
 

C17LVFD

Member
May 21, 2010
1,537
Harrisburg, PA
The joy of jerryrigging...still not being able to program my MPC01 due to a communications failure even though I'm using XP.

I noticed in your picture you don't have 12v and ground going to your 485 converter. Are you sure you don't need 12v going to it? I know mine does.

Seth
 

Harv

New Member
Jul 9, 2013
6
Martinsburg, WV
Just completed reprogramming my Smart Messenger, Thank You Seth!!!
I had the SM for about 4 years and finally about 1 1/2 years ago, found a place with a Transporter. However, it is about 100 miles away and I don't go that way as much as in the older days. So, still was never programmed from the Marine Terminal Police messages. I would scour eBay and other sites looking for the elusive Transporter. Never any luck, until I saw this post.

In looking for another item in my stash, I realized there was a USB/RS485 converter in there, but it only had 3 pins. They were (+) (-) (Gnd/Shield). There were no power connections. Then, I realized, the converter didn't need power, but the Messenger does. Since I have the power for the messenger connected to the Aux in lightbar, I pull (+) power from that. I just unplugged the Messenger from the Control Head. From the Control Head there are 4 wires (Red, Black, Grey, Blue).

I made a custom 4 pin connector (Shown Below) with the 12vdc (+) & (-) from Control Head to continue straight thru to the Messenger. The Data (+) & (-) are connected to the other 2 pins of Messenger side with pigtails that connect to the USB/RS485 Converter. Make sure you observe the male/female connectors when making this Custom Connector.

So in short, it is possible to use USB to program. I used a Gateway Netbook/XP/1G RAM/Ext CD Drive & USB Cable to USB/RS485 Converter,
Whelen Smart Messenger Software and Custom Connector.

A few Tips I learned while doing this.
1) Plug connectors to Messenger, then connect USB Cable. Wait for it to be initialized.
2) Click on Communications TAB (in Software) and reselect the Com Port, each time you connect.
4) Keep trying to get your text to show correctly. Display not always exactly the same as, Software demo. Some actually look better than you think they will. Others, need to be tweaked.
3) Be CREATIVE!!! I have learned to design FLASH Patterns in addition to Text, in a few hours of tinkering.

Since the USB/RS485 was so cheap, I may install it close to the Control head, with the USB jack accessible to reprogram at a moments notice, with the netbook. I know I change my mind a lot and as I learn more, I will create new messages.
 

Attachments

  • Whelen Messenger Program Cable.jpg
    Whelen Messenger Program Cable.jpg
    50 KB · Views: 18
  • Like
Reactions: C17LVFD and Tony P

P1808

Member
Jun 2, 2010
108
Florida
This is awesome but I no longer have the 01 I have a mpc03. I wonder if this will work as well. I ordered the parts and will let you know
 

rad123

Member
Aug 5, 2011
896
Dixon, CA
Does anyone have access to the software for programming a Messenger? I am looking for a copy of it, can anyone help?
 

P1808

Member
Jun 2, 2010
108
Florida
Actually you shouldn't need a transporter at all. Just a USB cable...

Seth[/QUO

you are correct only if you are just uploading the program to the bar but if you want to alter the program you do need the transporter box. I did have some communications with Whelen to confirm this. I am having another issue with the connection, and the network issue light flashes.
 

C17LVFD

Member
May 21, 2010
1,537
Harrisburg, PA
Interesting... was not aware of this. I've got a mpco3 box but not control head here. I'll have to play with it.

Thanks
Seth
 

C17LVFD

Member
May 21, 2010
1,537
Harrisburg, PA
Haven't had time to play with it. I'm using a dell laptop running windows xp. Probably 6-7 years old with real serial port.

Seth
 

PoPo623

New Member
Apr 28, 2017
1
Sedalia, MO
Is there a way to customize flash patterns with the Liberty SC lightbar through the Whelen programming software for the MPC01? Also there isn't much information on programming the AUX Outputs on the MPC01... anyone have any info on those?
 
Last edited:

Justin

New Member
Jun 10, 2017
3
ct
Does anyone have the software that they could send me? Whelen is closed today and need to program my bar.
 

Forum Statistics

Threads
53,964
Messages
449,809
Members
19,103
Latest member
Safetylight5

About Us

  • Since 1997, eLightbars has been the premier venue for all things emergency warning equipment. Discussions, classified listings, pictures, videos, chat, & more! Our staff members strive to keep the forums organized and clutter-free. All of our offerings are free-of-charge with all costs offset by banner advertising. Premium offerings are available to improve your experience.

User Menu

Secure Browsing & Transactions

eLightbars.org uses SSL to secure all traffic between our server and your browsing device. All browsing and transactions within are secured by an SSL Certificate with high-strength encryption.