Lap Timer / Trackmate wiring question.
Jeff Feige
Just got done setting up the Phototransistor sensor track (RS part#276-0145)
and the corresponding light setup, but we are having trouble getting the
cabling to work properly.
We are using an old P133 box with Win95 installed, and I have isolated the
proper wires on the parallel port cable. When testing the port in Lap Timer
(Gregory Braun's FREE awesome program - thanks buddy!) I can't get a
changing reading for the port value.
It seems to me that if (following the TrakMate wiring diagram) I were to
connect / disconnect pin 25 to pin 10 (directly from the parallel port) I
should see a change in reading. As far as I can understand, the
Phototransistor is nothing more than a light-triggered on / off switch.
According to the parallel port pinout that I have, pin 25 is a ground and
pin 10 is an input line. What am I missing here? Isn't there supposed to
be some current flowing through this circuit? Perhaps one of the output
pins (1, 14, 16 or 17)? (please feel free to debunk anything that I've
incorrectly stated)
Maybe I'm doing the testing wrong, but I'm not up to par with Dingus McGee
(The famous electrician from Argentina). What method should I use to test
the Phototransistors? Can I use a continuity check, or should I just try to
get an Ohm reading? Also, is the method I'm using to test the parallel port
(just opening / closing the circuit between pin 25 and pin 10 (or 11,12,13))
the proper way to check that as well?
Also, one last thing (That I can think of anyway), does it matter if the LPT
port is in SPP, EPP or ECP mode?
Thanks for reading :)
-Jeff
Andrew J
Laptimer 2000) or vice-versa? If not, does it stay open or closed?
The reason I ask is that not all input pins (10, 11, 12, 13, 15) 'float'
high when not connected. If yours don't, you have to externally 'pull' them
high.
Re the port's mode, it should work in any mode, but SPP is the most
basic, so try in that mode if you suspect the port to be faulty.
Andrew Jones
Jeff Feige wrote in message ...
Jeff Feige
news:3c5ad09e$0$2...@hades.is.co.za:
> When you short pin 10 to 25, does it change from open to closed (on
> Laptimer 2000) or vice-versa? If not, does it stay open or closed?
When I short pin 10 to 25, the status does not change. It stays closed.
Pin 11 stays open.
>
> The reason I ask is that not all input pins (10, 11, 12, 13, 15)
> 'float'
> high when not connected. If yours don't, you have to externally 'pull'
> them high.
Hmm... I'm not quite sure I understand how to externally pull them high...
You mean with an external power source, or with one of the other pins on the
LPT port?
>
> Re the port's mode, it should work in any mode, but SPP is the most
> basic, so try in that mode if you suspect the port to be faulty.
Yeah, I figured as much. Of course, I DID try them all. (Trying to get all
the angles - lol)
>
> Andrew Jones
>
Thanks!
GrantB
news:Xns91A85F4D4...@209.249.90.101...
I know it doesn't answer your question about shorting pin 10, but I remember
that I had a good deal of trouble connecting the trackmate config to any of
three computers in my study/slot car hangout. I changed to the VRS config
and have no problem.
Jeff Feige
news:PFG68.29480$Ni2.1...@news-server.bigpond.net.au:
Thanks for the info, I will definitely give it a try. Damn... I built a
two lane power supply, am working on a *new* project that ALL of the slot
guys will absolutely LOVE and I can't get the *easiest* of all my projects
working... LOL Isn't that what it's all about? I will keep you posted
about my issue.
Thanks again
-Jeff
Andrew J
>Pin 11 stays open.
So, when shorting pin 10 to 25, pin 10 stayed 'closed' (Greg, does
closed equate to low?);
and when shorting pin 11 to 25, pin 11 stayed 'open'?
Curious. If 11 worked fine, or stayed closed as well, then my "pull it high
externally" would have applied. However, based on what you say, I would
guess one of three posiblilties:
1. Try other ground pins. Pins 18 through 25 are all ground - sometimes
only some of them are connected on the port.
2. The software is pointing to the wrong port address (do you by any chance
have two, and are using the wrong one?)
3. The port is damaged.
>Hmm... I'm not quite sure I understand how to externally pull them high...
>You mean with an external power source, or with one of the other pins on
the
>LPT port?
Either. See www.icon.co.za/~31012044/sct and click IR & LDR sensors to
see how to with an output pin. (As stated above, this probably isn't the
problem).
Good luck.
Andrew J
Gregory Braun -- HO Slot Car Racing
Yes, you should be able to tie pins 11 and 25 together to simulate a lap.
Pins 18-25 are all grounds, so you can use one of these for each sensor
instead of trying to solder four leads to pin 25.
If your port isn't working you might try the joystick port instead.
Also, use the Edit | Settings menu command and check the "Invert Lap
Switching Logic" setting if you're using TTL devices such as photo-cells.
Best regards from Milwaukee, WI U.S.A.
Gregory Braun
E-Mail: Sup...@GregoryBraun.com
Web Site: http://www.GregoryBraun.com
Telephone: 1.414.817.6508
Slot Cars: http://www.HOSlotCarRacing.com
Race Track: http://www.ScenicHillsRaceway.com
-------------------------------------------------------
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Gone--glimmering through the dream of things that were.
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