Timing and Scoring

[PS1 Patrick Callahan]

We have secured a Timing and Scoring system courtesy of I-Lap!  This is a system that uses IR LEDs with a unique transponder code to determine start/finish line crossings.  The transponders will need to be rented from us at the cost of $10 per vehicle per weekend.  The transponders will also require a 12 volt power supply.  This can come from the same batteries your vehicle runs off of or a separate battery pack.  The cost of the rental or additional power supply will NOT be marked against your $500 budget.  This transponder will need to be securely mounted to a spot that is horizontal, at the front of your vehicle, facing up with an up obstructed view of the sky.  There will be a sensor bridge going across the the start/finish line so there will be a height restriction on vehicles.  This senor bridge will be somewhere around 7ft tall.  Teams will be notified soon as to the exact height requirement and the proper connector needed for the transponder.  All of this will make keeping track of vehicle positions and final score tallying simple and quick and will make for a much smoother event.

Patrick Callahan, Vice-President

Power Racing Series  

[PS1 Patrick Callahan]

The connector you need at the front of your vehicle is known as a female servo connector. These can be purchased at a local hobby store or ordered online.  One such retailer is RC Micro Flite.  They sell there for $1 plus shipping. The transmitter will plug in here from a 12V power supply that you provide. None of this will count against your $500 budget.  Hopefully the timing and scoring this year will be easy and simple.

Patrick

Power Racing Series

[Brandon Richards]

Hi Patrick,

  Can you please let me know ASAP the height restriction?  I am in process of building and will need to modify.  thanks.

-Brandon

OCD

[PS1 Patrick Callahan]

I am building a bridge that is 6ft 6in tall. There will be a sensor shroud underneath that will hang about 4 inches to protect the sensors from rain. So anything 6ft and under should be fine.  If I remember correctly the Banana Car was about 6ft tall.

[Brandon Richards]

it WAS  :-)  we will make it work.  As long as i know a hard number (6ft) we will make it work.

[PS1 Patrick Callahan]

How far off of 6ft are you?

[Tom Gralewicz]

Any chance we can come up with a self contained unit? 

Less chance for power failure in the middle of a race.

What are the power requirements for the transmitter?

--
Tom Gralewicz
Miller Electronics Recycling
(414) 380-1716
www.deadcomputers.com

[PS1 Patrick Callahan]

The receivers and sensors run off of USB so as long as my laptop has power we will be able to keep score.  

The transponders will work with 5-12v so if you want to have a separate battery pack of AA's for it, that would totally work. As long as you have 5-12v and that connector at the front of your car, scoring will happen. 

[Joe Kerman]

So, in theory, a 9v battery would work, and likely last for at /least/ a day?

[Jim Burke]

Thanks to everyone for being extra patient with us this year. PS:One is moving so our resources in regards to helping set things up is a bit thin this season.

Patrick and I are working round the clock to get stuff set up though!

[Tim Miller]

how about an array of lemons ? should take about 30-40 of them i think, i don't know the power draw. 

[Jim Burke]

I approve of this.

Keep in mind, if it doesn't work, you don't get your laps timed.

We at PPPRS call that incentive.

[Sharon Mehl]

Patrick...

Members of the team would like to see an image of the device so to be able to see where it should be located ... and how will it be mounted?  

Thanks

Sharon

CCCKC

--
Thanks so much!

Sharon

[PS1 Patrick Callahan]

The device needs to be located near the front on a surface that this horizontal to the ground and has a direct line of sight to the sky. It looks like this.

Patrick