One of the contributers on the list, Brendan Humphreys, donated a whole bunch of LED Wallboards to the space for people to hack.

We can use this page to keep track of any relevant info for people that are wanting to play with them.

List of models:

• Adaptive Micro Systems (AMS Inc) Model 4120R120,
• 120v 50/60hz
• Adaptive Micro Systems (AMS Inc) Model Alpha 4120C120, (Coloured)
• 120v 50/60hz 
• RS485 in and out
• RS485 or RS232 
• AVAYA (4 line), Telematic Communications,  model '4 line'. 
• Telematic '1 line graphics' 
• Model 1LG from Telematic Australia    
• RS232
• RJ in and out 
• EMC ALPHA 320C
• RS485 out via RJ
• RS232/485  in via RJ
• 120/240v 
• Powers up nicely and and displays Red/Green/Amber messages and animations about the perils of drink driving

Software:

There is a python library available to talk to them:

• on pypi: http://pypi.python.org/pypi/alphasign/
• The project website is at: http://quadpoint.org/projects/alphasign
• The github repo is at: https://github.com/msparks/alphasign 

RJ11 Pinouts for RS232 and RS485:

RS-232 RJ-11 Jack Pinout
(from http://www.lyons42.com/PatchBoy/CallerIDBetaBrite.html)
 
        (1) 5 volts
        (2) (-)RS485 Red Network Wire
        (3) TXD - transmit data
        (4) RXD - receive data
        (5) (+)RS485 Black Network Wire
        (6) GND

So  
 

So basically, use pins 3,4 and 6  and do not connect the others for RS232.

Slight more information (but not much relevant) is in Networking Alpha Signs.pdf

The RS-485 pinout is also listed in here: alpha_connections.pdf

Useful Resources:

Put any web resources you find here.

ALPHA 320C:

Alpha website:

http://www.alpha-american.com/p-alpha-320c.html

Protocol here: (supports the 4120C, 4120R, 320C and others:

http://www.alpha-american.com/p-alpha-communications-protocol.html