Betabrite LED Display - Help !

[cush]

Hi,
Just bought myself an old cabinet that has a betabrite display at the top but when I started to remove it I found only a power lead attached.
It has a phone fitting and socket for power, nothing else.I got hold of some software that says it will run said display and after connecting a phone lead from modem in pc to display and starting the software I keep getting com1 errors.
I got the betabrite software too and same error even though I have the modem at com1 so basically I need help or info on what I am missing or doing wrong, Has anyone got one of these running on their cab ?

[yotsuya]

I have one, but it's not connected to the cab. I change the content with the remote control/programmer.

[Drnick]

Firstly is it a Golden Tee Cab,  If so I believe it's game over.  To my knowledge nobody has a Golden Tee Beetabrite doing anything.  If it is a standard betabrite then you will need a specific cable to go from the RJ11 socket to a serial port on your PC.  If you have the model of Betabrite it may be a bit easier to advise.

[cush]

Thanks for replies, it is a 213C-1 and cab was a play pool cab that has keypad and print reader. All I found in cab was display unit and power brick so may need to buy lead if possible.

[Drnick]

Here should be a lead.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beta-Brite-Message-Display-Programming-Cable-LED-14ft/360771145537?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18579%26meid%3D2679418792057030660%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D8476%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D250010872116%26

Also see this page if you fancy trying to roll your own.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2102295

Lastly see the following sites for more tech info etc.
http://alpha-american.com/p-alpha-213c.html
http://www.betabrite.com/pages/bbclassic.htm

There should be a way of sending what game is currently playing directly to the device. I'm sure I've seen it done somewhere but I can't think where at the moment, probably the hyperspin forums.  If I find it I'll let you know.   OK some googlefu turned up Hyperbrite for Hyperspin, or Mala has support for the device. Good luck with your plans.

[lilshawn]

there is a specific cable you need to interface the betabrite. i have a pinout someplace at home i can post later.

the power supply brick is 7 volts @ 3.25 amps (3250mA) but iv'e heard some people had different voltage ones.

[cush]

Well I found the lead for this in bottom of cab in the cash box lol, nice of em to leave it in for me.Only problem is one of 3 wires was off on the seriel end plug, although I did have it working with betamsg software the proper betabrite proggy wont see it, just keep getting "not connected to com1".
I need to check the pins so I can solder it back on properly but at least I know it is working so thanks for the help and info/links.

[ed12]

female end of db9
2=red
3=green
5=blue
the rest are internal jumpers
if u need the pin outs for them let me know

ed

[cush]

female end of db9
2=red
3=green
5=blue
the rest are internal jumpers
if u need the pin outs for them let me know

Big thanks, mine has :
2=white
3=green
5=red - this was off but looked like it had been on 5 and did work in the betamsg software BUT didn't work in betabrite proggy where it keeps giving com1 error.

Ian

[ed12]

interesting
if u want i can trace both end's..it is sitting beside me
now mine is out of a pga golf machine.?
i wonder if that ia the dif 
i will try the s/w and see

ed

[ed12]

ok i was reading there faq's
there is an .ini u can edit to change com's
also it look's like the 9pin dbm to rj45 is mgfg specefic..not betabrite
theres look's like straight throgh rs232
i will dig some more once my account is open to me
in the in term u could use a usb to rsr232 converter ?
i can try this for u if u want ?


ed

[cush]

Cheers ed, I will have a look later for that ini file. I was thinking of getting the usb converter just so I can use it on modern board.
This came out of the play pool machine,will try add pic.

Link to cab pic
Here

[ed12]

ya i c where they differ now
mine has jumpers
1-4-6 all toghter
7-8
2 sep jumpers confiqed the way i just listed to u
i can see why now
look up rs232 protocol
dtr/dtc/and ring..etc

ed

[lilshawn]

the extra jumpers are to tie the ready to send lines so the computer knows it's okay to transmit.

normally this flow is done through software (a software xon xoff) but because this is a dumb one way connection you need to inform the computer it's okay to just send. (hardware flow control)

it can't hurt to add the additional wires if they wheren't included.