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Post by ninjatek on Mar 30, 2011 5:36:24 GMT -7
You can get the same thing here much cheaper. They are located in Central Jersey, you might save more if they allow you to pick up your order. www.elexp.com/opt_irtr.htmI've used them on projects other than slot cars and they worked fine. |
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Post by Joe65SkylarkGS on Mar 30, 2011 10:02:37 GMT -7
You can get the same thing here much cheaper. They are located in Central Jersey, you might save more if they allow you to pick up your order. www.elexp.com/opt_irtr.htmI've used them on projects other than slot cars and they worked fine. Ok how many do I need? If I was to wire up 2 different tracks and want to leave sensors in both tracks? The ebay ones are 4.85 free shipping. I would think that may be cheaper than paying for a gallon of gas!! 3.50 a gallon almost!! lol. What exactly would I get from this place? Only the photo trans?? Or emitter?? |
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Post by ninjatek on Mar 30, 2011 12:03:41 GMT -7
Ok how many do I need? If I was to wire up 2 different tracks and want to leave sensors in both tracks? The ebay ones are 4.85 free shipping. I would think that may be cheaper than paying for a gallon of gas!! 3.50 a gallon almost!! lol. What exactly would I get from this place? Only the photo trans?? Or emitter?? To create the setup described in this post you will need the following for each lane: 1 - stopwatch 2 - photo trans (or 2 - magnetic reed switches) one to start the timer, one to stop the timer (reed switches are available from the same ebayer you listed: cgi.ebay.com/7pcs-new-Reed-Glass-Magnetic-Switches-18mm-2-5mm-Normal-/130484508177?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e617b9611 ) This setup will measure ETs' for one lane. |
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Post by gonegonzo on Mar 30, 2011 19:08:31 GMT -7
This is a good project for those not able to spring for a timing system . However , as the post goes on the more complicated it seems to get . I am now getting overwhelmed by it all .
This is somthing that I'd be interested in getting together but I'm not optomistic about being able to build it .
One confused GONZO
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Post by hairycanary on Mar 30, 2011 19:14:55 GMT -7
I have been playing around a little bit with this stuff which I know nothing about. Soldered the wires in the stop watch lucked out and it worked. I tried the Radio Shack Photo Transistors they were to big and seemed to be inconsistent. Seemed like they were sticking or not making the contact sometimes. Got some off ebay you get 10 for 2.99 plus a couple of bucks for shipping. There 2.4 mm or .096 at the tip and the base is a little larger at 3.15 mm or .125. I drilled a 1/8 in. hole in the piece of track between the rail and slot then I filed out a piece of styrene tube so the photo transistor would fit snug and glued the tube under the track lined up with the hole. I can slide the photo transistor in and out for a quick change if it gets damaged and needed replaced. Hooked it to the stopwatch I got off ebay for $1.50 plus shipping and so far it works great. And if a guy wants he can put in a MPH speed trap at the end and even at the 1/8th mile. The distance between a real Drag Strip's MPH lights are 66 feet. I thought if you put the Photo transistors a foot apart if that would give you a good reading for MPH. I think I have the formula to convert it to MPH not sure. So to do this you would need 2 Photo transistors and 1 stopwatch for each set up. 1 for your E.T. 1 for you top end MPH and 1 for the 1/8th mile or half track MPH or E.T. I hope all this babbling helps and doesn't confuse any body any more than they already might be. This is the ebay link he has a bunch of them. cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320527736504&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Rick |
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Post by bondoman2k on Mar 31, 2011 4:26:04 GMT -7
OK...I got a question, Would it be possible to add this type of setup to the new AW tracks? Any way that it would interfere with the sensors for the tree and win light? and, if so, is there a certain spot I should put the sensors? Just curious, since that would give me a Christmas tree start, a win light AND an E.T. timer. I know Mr. Wizzard is making something, but being that I'm VERY impatient, it's just taking WAYYY too long LOL!  ;D Ron (Bondo)  |
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Post by Bananasmoothie1975 on Mar 31, 2011 4:44:38 GMT -7
if you're handy you could tap into the existing optical sensors to operate the stopwatch..
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Post by bondoman2k on Mar 31, 2011 5:21:09 GMT -7
But, if I 'tap in' to the existing sensors, would that cause some kind of an 'overload' on them? Or would it interfere with the lights, and maybe work intermittenly, or..you know, things like that. Just trying to see if I can make this work on my Matco strip until I get a Trackmate system for my other track (which is a MUCH better looking track) Ron (Bondo) |
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Post by SKR on Mar 31, 2011 17:51:22 GMT -7
I heard they were going to sell for about $120 when they come out. Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I think they are coming out in August.
They do look cool and should be a big seller. I plan on buying one to check it out. When they do release them one of the guys here (Mike Edwards of the MM/PS class  ) will be doing a "How To" on installing a cheap timing system to the track as his time allows. That will make it nice for the tuners. glad to see there is some interest in this timing system. It's not the best timing system but it does work and is a great inexpensive tool for tuning cars. I just picked up 2 stop watches on ebay for $6 including shipping from Hong Kong. If they are decent I'll break down the steps on how to wire them. Yeah Ron, we were thinking that these would be great on the AW sets (see quote above). Not sure if I'd play around with the original tracks wiring. Adding 2 sensors to each lane and keeping the timing separate might be the best way to go. As you guys start to build these.... please post your tips on this thread for what to avoid or what might of helped you out. |
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Post by Eagle Racing on Apr 9, 2011 15:11:44 GMT -7
Got my stop watchs and pkg of 3mm Phillips NPN Bipolar Photo Transistor and speaker wire. Wire up the stop watchs checked to see if the timer still worked manual buttons pressed work great. Wired in the photo transistors and the stop watch starts as soon as you plug it in. Switched the leads does the same thing. Maybe there is something to that Bipolar, help.
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Post by SKR on Apr 9, 2011 20:20:07 GMT -7
Try switching the wires to the sensor and see if that helps. I tried it and if I wire it one way it acts like yours but if I switch them then it works the right way.
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Post by hairycanary on Apr 9, 2011 23:04:25 GMT -7
Got my stop watchs and pkg of 3mm Phillips NPN Bipolar Photo Transistor and speaker wire. Wire up the stop watchs checked to see if the timer still worked manual buttons pressed work great. Wired in the photo transistors and the stop watch starts as soon as you plug it in. Switched the leads does the same thing. Maybe there is something to that Bipolar, help. When I was putting mine together it was doing the same thing. I found out that every time you touch the wires it will stop or start the timer. Try hooking the wires up the timer should start then cover the Photo transistor completely. Then un cover it and it should stop repeat and it should start. When you stage the car on the starting line the timer won't start until the car is completely past the transistor when the light hits it. You have to have good light around the transistors for them to work good. Hope that makes sense and hope that cures your problem. Rick |
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Post by Eagle Racing on Apr 11, 2011 15:55:01 GMT -7
That was exactly right on the info Rick and Sam. I had a sensor wire crossed. Rick the light is so true still working on correct amount, thank you guys.
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Post by SKR on Apr 11, 2011 17:27:33 GMT -7
glad to hear you worked out the bugs |
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Post by Eagle Racing on Apr 15, 2011 5:39:20 GMT -7
I am going to try out the reed switches. The photo sensors are just to sensitive. Hope they work better.
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;D
) will be doing a "How To" on installing a cheap timing system to the track as his time allows. That will make it nice for the tuners. 
