Selected Product Features

• Converts GliderScore timer display commands into an external LED interval timer display
• Runs in AC-powered and battery-powered environments
• Supports a wide variety of commercially available LED display boards
• Non-multiplexed LED drivers for maximum possible display brightness
• Low power processor-based interface board
• On-board discrete LED status indicators:
  - Serial command received
  - Command error detected (serial command overrun, etc )
• Selectable serial baud rate: 9600 or 19200 baud
• Selectable power-saving zero-blanking option (intended for use at battery-operated sites)
• Comprehensive User Guide covers interface board and LED display installation tips and techniques

Display Interface Board Specifications

• Board dimensions: 119.7 x 98.5mm (4.7" x 3.9"). Height of components on board 18mm (0.7") max.
• Input power requirements: 7-16VDC @ 50mA max (not including external LED display current requirements). Typical current load = 25mA.
• Operating Temperature: -10 to 65 degrees C (15 to 150 degrees F)
• GliderScore command format supported: ASCII character string "Ammss \r" (the letter A, the minutes digits, the seconds digits, the ASCII character for Carriage Return).
• Serial port configuration: Selectable baud rate = 9600, 19200. Always 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. Only the receive data line is monitored, all other serial port signals are ignored.
• Serial port cabling length: Max. recommended for shielded or unshielded non-twisted pair cable: 15 meters (49 ft) @ 9600 baud, 7.6 meters (25 ft) @ 19200 baud. Max. recommended for twisted-pair cable (e.g. CAT5e): 60 meters (197ft) @ 9600 baud, 30 meters (99ft) @ 19200 baud. RS-232 range extenders (wired or wireless) can be used for longer runs.
• External LED display current limits: 150mA maximum current per display segment (each 7-segment display digit has 7 segments plus the decimal point).
• External LED display voltage supply limits: 50V absolute maximum, 24v max recommended.
• External LED display configuration supported: Common-anode only (open drain drivers electrically connect to ground to illuminate a digit segment).
• Input terminals: RXD IN+/- (transient and over-voltage protected), V+/GND (reverse polarity protected).
• Output terminals: 10's Minutes (9 wires), 1's Minutes (9 wires), 10's Seconds (9 wires), 1's Seconds (9 wires).

LED Display Sources

The LED display board sellers listed on this page offer products that should be fully compatible with the GliderScore Display Interface. However, E-A has not tested all the listed LED displays and thus cannot guarantee they will work perfectly in your particular site's application. Some points to keep in mind:

1. Common-anode only. Only displays that can be configured as common-anode are usable with the display interface.
2. Per-segment current. Be sure to verify the per-segment current that a given LED display requires. The display interface can drive up to 150mA of current per segment.
3. Standard/Normal versus Ultra/Super Bright.  While the terminology for brightness is not used consistently generally speaking normal LED displays (like the MXA037) are very usable in outdoor lighting conditions as long as you keep the sun's direct rays off the displays. Ultra bright displays can usually take the sun's direct rays but at a slight cost of a narrower viewing angle (usually not significant).

If you would like to suggest additions and updates to this page let us know.

Date last updated: Feb 23, 2017

General note: The 9" MXA037 LED board is by far the best overall "value" (display size versus cost) that I have found.

QKits in Ontario Canada.  They offer many of the MXA series of LED displays. Their price for the 9" MXA037 is the cheapest we have found: $25 USD + shipping. The ultrabright 9" MXA004 goes for $40 USD.  Their 10" MXA079 is the cheapest we have found: $60 USD + ship. For only $10 more you can get the 10" ultra bright version MXA078.

Kitstop in Australia. This seller carries a wide range of LED displays listed on this page. The 10" red MXA079 and 9" MXA037 are great choices for the display interface. Kitstop's prices (e.g. MXA037) are not the cheapest but they carry a good stock.

Bakatronics in the eastern US. Their LED display boards can be found on this page. Their price for the 9" MXA037 is good: $30 USD + shipping.

eBay seller "The-Infinity-Power" in Thailand. Since the OEM who manufactures the "MXA" line of LED boards is also in Thailand it stands to reason this seller would offer lots of those products. And they do per the list on this page. Their prices are not the cheapest but they ship from Thailand for free.

Documents

GliderScore Display Interface User Guide-Table of Contents (PDF)
Note: the full user guide will be emailed to you immediately following your order confirmation. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have specific questions.