Communicating with a Pro-Lite LED Display, Cable Construction and Protocol

I had a Pro-Lite display that I had picked up cheap without any communication cable, or any software, lying around in my shop. At least I had the remote, but it was slow and I never thought I would actually use it like that. It was high time that I got around to making a cable and looking into the protocol, so I thought that I would share my findings here.

My goal was to be able to update the sign from Processing and thereby be able to use it interactively in some way. It was a two step process, first I needed a cable, secondly I needed the protocol. Researching on the interwebs, I was able to find (as we all are) all the information I needed and now I will share this information in one location here, at our first and favourite 'how-to' stop.

Step 1 Hunter and Gatherer

Things that you need

• A Pro-Lite Display Sign (try online, I lucked out in finding mine)
• A four wire telephone cable (RJ12) - look closely and see how many wires there are, six will also work, but four is simpler, a phone extension from the dollar store will usually have four.
• A female serial DB9 Connector – I picked mine up at my local shop, they are easy enough to find online as well.

Tools

• a crimp connector or some wire strippers with a crimper built in
• wire clippers
• a computer

Comments

[xruiz]

what kind of pro-light sign?

[fjordcarver]

I think that is is called Tru-ColorII

[gustavol]

This procedure is the same for LuxLite panels.
I did the same in a LuxLite D-A514.

[janw]

It would be nice to connect it via USB with an FTDI ic.

[instructableselva]

wow super........
c.selvakumar
[e-mail]

[fjordcarver]

Thanks!