Mikhon - Message change

[DorothyMacaw]

Hi

I am dreaming about a Mikhon progressive for my S2000 Vision Ms. LGM. I understand that Ms. LGM is not able to use the progressive function. I also understand that unlike the Spectrum that the Mikhon is able to display pre-programed messages.

 It sounds like a lot of steps to get the message on the Mikohn

 - Dorothy

[knagl]

To program a Mikohn ChamII+ stand-alone progressive meter, you use a program called PSP and a special cable that lets your computer with a serial port (older operating systems tend to work better) to talk to the controller (the progressive device).  Then, using that program and special coding, you can program a custom messaage and progressive increment and starting amounts.  You would not program an EPROM to change message data on a Mikohn ChamII+ meter.

If your game doesn't support progressives, I'm not sure what you are trying to get out of it by adding a progressive meter.   

Programming an EPROM involves an EPROM programmer ("burner") attached to a computer, a data file, and a blank EPROM.  EPROMs are erasable, but require the use of an EPROM eraser that blasts the chip with ultra violet light to erase the data.  EEPROMs (notice the extra "E") are electronically erasable (can be erased and re-programmed by the burner, if it supports it).

[DorothyMacaw]

 K.

What am I trying to get without the progressive but with the display is more lights.

I was thinking of a scrolling message akin to - Welcome to Dorothy's - or - COME BACK WITH A WARRANT.

That area where the player tracking system goes is just crying out for something besides flat black Formica.

O.K. so, using PSP (Paint Shop Pro) or another graphics program (someone in the Mikhon thread suggested ULEAD GIF Animator) creates the image, and the serial port (RS 232 ?) on my old computer will put the data into the Mikhon? Burning an EPROM is not necessary ?? If so -- waaayyyy cool !!

 - Dorothy

[knagl]

Heh, no, PSP is an old DOS-based Mikohn program that has nothing to do with Paint Shop Pro.  We can get you the program, but understand that it's not entirely user friendly.  (I'm not trying to scare you off -- it's not impossible to use, but understand that it's not simple, either.)  You'll also need to build or buy a specially wired cable that connects between the RS232 serial port on your computer, and the input port on the Mikohn controller.

The Paint Shop Pro / Gif Animator discussion in another thread would have been talking about the Mikohn Supreme displays and controllers -- you can't do graphics on the ChamII+ meter (and the Supreme panels would be way too big to fit in your tracking area -- they're the panels used to make overhead signs).

Honestly, if you don't intend to use the progressive function and don't plan to in the future, it would be (likely) cheaper, and (definitely) easier to pick up a cheap LED scrolling display message sign.

[DorothyMacaw]

 
 K.

 You said "Honestly, if you don't intend to use the progressive function and don't plan to in the future, it would be (likely) cheaper, and (definitely) easier to pick up a cheap LED scrolling display message sign."

 I am beginning to agree with you. I cruised EBay a little looking for something that might fit it was a Goldilocks experience, either too big or too small. I'll go back to looking.

 - Dorothy

[jay]

If you check out my post in the restoration section, I force fit a Mikon display into my player tracking bar.
It involved cutting into the reel shelf and is not for the faint of heart.

While I would certainly encourage your exploration into the world of progressives if you are looking for something simple and cheap then Mikohn is not either.

[OhioGaming]

I was thinking of a scrolling message - COME BACK WITH A WARRANT.

Now that is funny!

[DorothyMacaw]

Gents

Jay and Knagl - Thanks for your thoughts. After finding that I would need to mail the Mikohn to someone to change the message on top of the general messing around with it, I've decided that it would be a bigger deal than it is worth. Taking Knagl's suggestion I searched for car scrolling LED displays and found this one ( http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/searchDetail.asp?productid=22358 ) "Roadmaster Rear Deck Scrolling Digital LED Message System" for $36. It is a little smaller than I was hoping "Measurements (screen): 9"W x 1 1/4"H" since the player tracking area is closer to 18 x 3 but the price is right.

Since this works on 12v is there a 12v circuit in the S2000 that I could tap into with out causing the machine to explode? I can always run a small transformer up to the unit, but internal is always preferred.

Ohio - You know ? "COME BACK WITH A WARRANT" seems most appropriate for all the machines in my home.

 - Dorothy

[knagl]

Did you check eBay?  I did a very quick search (I'm sure there are other options out there), and found this one for $27 shipped, which might be a little longer (I'm not sure if the dimension they gave was for just the LED portion, or for the whole plastic case).

I'm not sure about the 12vdc issue -- I'm new to S2000s.  If memory serves, there is 13vdc running through the machine somewhere.  Worst (and likely easiest) case, you could plug a 12vdc "wall wart" transformer into the service outlet in the machine, and then run that wire up to your display.

[DorothyMacaw]

Knagl

I learned to search using the word "sign" and not "Display" for "LED car scrolling" and found a whole bunch of them. I scrolled down a couple offerings from the one you suggested and found a BLUE one for a few dollars more. Since Ms. LGM has a lot of blue in her glass I ordered the blue one. They are all a little smaller than I would prefer but the price for a novelty is fine.

Now if I mess up the cutting of the player tracking area I hope those are easy to obtain.

 - Dorothy

[jay]

Ben from Fannini had a bunch of blanks made. Looked much better than Plexy taped to the steel. So they are readily available.

I went through about 10 dremmel wheels cutting these things. If I was to do it again and had more patience I would probably bring it into a place that has professional tools to cut metal like a stamp shop, furnace duct work place, kitchen places that do stainless back splashes etc.

[DorothyMacaw]

Jay

 GAWK !! 10 Dremel wheels ?!?!? That is what I was planning on using.

 I'll shop around for someone in town who does that sort of thing. It will probably be cheaper in the long run than paying for 10 Dermel wheels AND a new player tracking cover.

 - Dorothy

[jay]

In all fairness I was doing 3 machines.... however the metal is pretty thick and those dremmel cutting wheels are pretty thin.

http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=viewitem;id=155

[Ron (r273)]

I used a saber saw with a metal cutting blade. But you need a vice to hold it.
A Dremmel would be good to trim it up after it is cut out.

Ron (r273)

[stayouttadabunker]

lol...I've always loved that picture of when he needed more iron in his diet...
Was the glass of water for in case of a fire? 

[DorothyMacaw]

 Okay just a note on this LED display. I ordered a scrolling LED display designed for the back windows of cars and it came today. I ordered blue LED's to match Ms. LGM better than red. It was designed for a cigarette lighter in the car. Searching around the house I found an old 12v. transformer and wired that to the display. I stuck some double sided tape on the display and stuck if on the Ms. LGM to see how it would look installed. ---------- Now to get the nerve up to start cutting on the plate.

 Thanks for the suggestion Knagl it looks like it's going to work out really well. A little larger would have been nice, but for now this is fine.

 - Dorothy

[jay]

Looks really good.

[FORDSBS]

dorothy that looks real sharp. good job. I'm sure you gave more people an idea.

[knagl]

Looking good! 

[brichter]

Ok, so I looked at the first picture and I just gotta ask...

How are those suckers working out for you?  

[stayouttadabunker]

2 suckers...lol
That's the suction cups for JUST IN CASE you really want to
stick a lighted scrolling message sign in the back window of your car.
Now, who the heck would want to do that?  

If I had that though - I'd think mine would say>>>

"BACK Off Sucker!       I've just phoned the State Police,      gave them your license plate number         and informed them that you are tailgating me!"

[brichter]

Yeah yeah yeah, we all know what they really meant.  

 But you gotta admit they definitely lost something in the translation!!!  

[StatFreak]

The real problem is that all of the other hardware and the manual are version 1x, and the sucker is version 2x.  

So I guess that sucker just isn't compatible.  

[StatFreak]

Dorothy, it looks great. Nice job. 

Stat