How to add new messages to Luminator brand destination sign on my RTS?

[Kevin Warnock]

Hello,

I have a 1994 TMC "RTS" 80286 bus that has a Luminator brand destination sign up front. It still has the destination locations from the original transit district programmed into the sign, which is the electromechanical flip-dot style, which I hear is energy efficient, and not obsolete. I would love to be able to hook it to my laptop and replace the destinations with my own phrases and messages. I wrote to Luminator and they offered to program it or sell me the equipment to do it myself, but once I disclosed that this is for my bus conversion, they stopped replying to my emails. I don't know why. Does anyone know if it's practical? Maybe they knew I would lose interest once they quoted me a high price? It would seem that a Windows driver and cable would be all that was needed, but maybe they don't see it that way, or do, but charge thousands? I hate to just throw the sign out, as it looks to be in perfect condition.

Thanks,

Kevin
San Francisco, CA

[buswarrior]

Hello Kevin.

Go see your local transit or suburban bus company and see what they are using to program the signs.

Do not waste their time.

If you appear to be a nut, or start taking up their time, you already know what happens next....

silence.

Know what you want, see if you can get it, and get out.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Runcutter]

Kevin, if I remember correctly, the Luminator uses a separate interface device (MTU) between the computer and the coach electronics.  So, the thought is to contact someone who has Luminator software, an MTU, and the time.  In transit, the last item (time) seems to be the most difficult to come by - therefore I second BW's comment about your approach. 

There may be further issues these days, with some of the homeland security paranoia - the MTU has the system's destinations.  They wouldn't want their destinations on your sign, and I certainly wouldn't want a transit system (publicly funded) MTU having some of the destinations I printed on my rollsign (particularly, "Wrong Bus"). 

Now, a thought - the best way to make contact with someone who can help you is to know someone - have a name.  I'd suggest taking a look at the Pacific Bus Museum website - www.pacbus.org  -  and getting to know folks there.  They have some coaches in Fremont, so there are obviously busfans in your area.  They may be able to put you in touch with someone.  How do we express gratitude for assistance -- join the organization or make a contribution.  Remember, a lot of us within the industry are also busfans.  For me, the trip to the Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey (Spring Fling, June 2) is a business trip because some of my clients and associates will also be there.   

Just a thought.

Arthur

[Chris 85 RTS]

I tried this also and never made any headway either.  When I finish all my projects, yeah like that will ever happen, I was going to tear it apart an see what I could figure out.