3 questions Smart Messenger...

[Jennifer Rose Towing]

Getting my hands on a pair of Whelen Smart messengers soon and had a few questions...
1, are the leds clear or colored? Wanting to keep the red one but the yellow has the programming wanted. I know their is a thread here about programming them (anyone have the PC software?). Just wondering if they ma tch the lens color.
2, is the programming/messages held in the controller or in the bar?
3, (forgot this but but will update when I remember)

 

[TDC]

The LEDs match the lens color

The programming is stored in the bar.

The software is 16 bit so it would need an emulator to work on a modern PC, and needs some interface, like the Transporter, to allow programming.
I can program it, but you would have to send me the bar ... it will hold 127 messages, stock, or what you describe to it. There are many options for custom messages ... flash, scroll, timing.

Just as a bit of trivia, the MGC01 cannot be attached and powered on at the same time you attempt programming ... communications fails.

Let me know...

 

[RS485]

@TDC, you reported a trick to get the 16-bit installer to work:

Messenger (+all Serial?) on Windows 10 solution

Whelen Smart Arrow Messenger program would not install on my Windows 10 machine: "This app can't run on your computer." According to the Whelen website: "Compatible: Windown 98 & XP. Non-compatible: Windows 7, 8 & 10." The same for BetaBrite Prism. I assume this might be true for a new SC...

elightbars.org

Did that not pan out? (just tried it and worked perfectly!)


Also, you'll need a USB-RS485 cable to connect the Windows PC directly to the Smart Messenger.
I use this one:

USB-RS485-WE-1800-BT | DigiKey Electronics

Order today, ships today. USB-RS485-WE-1800-BT – USB to RS485 Cable 5.90' (1.80m) Unshielded from FTDI, Future Technology Devices International Ltd. Pricing and Availability on millions of electronic components from Digi-Key Electronics.

www.digikey.com

I've used others and never had any problems so far.

 

[Jennifer Rose Towing]

The LEDs match the lens color

The programming is stored in the bar.

The software is 16 bit so it would need an emulator to work on a modern PC, and needs some interface, like the Transporter, to allow programming.
I can program it, but you would have to send me the bar ... it will hold 127 messages, stock, or what you describe to it. There are many options for custom messages ... flash, scroll, timing.

Just as a bit of trivia, the MGC01 cannot be attached and powered on at the same time you attempt programming ... communications fails.

Let me know...

Thank you for the reply.
I do have a 20 plus year old laptop used for old tech too. I'll look into this a bit more. Appreciate the info.