I know how to spell "Auckland Dicks" that will do won't it? Hot looking chassis Dan. You know I like shiny things!

shit thanks Dan was real keen on that one haha

Here's a curly question for you all.
Computer timing. I am very keen to get a timing system up & running, a couple of my mates have gotten quite keen & competitive on the whole slotcar racing.
And a few issues have arisen on how accurate the stop watch button pusher is.
I have found plenty of free software on the net & a bit of info on the switches etc.
Has anyone put in a system & have any advice or suggestions.

Andy I know a guy that may be able to answer questions on that one. I will get in touch with him and see what advice he can give. I have been waiting for this subject to come up. If we all built the same length layouts and used the same timing gear we could race against lap times! Grant would probably cheat but would be interesting seeing who could get say a Mag chassis doing the fastest lap.

yep I would cheat,nah no need us jafa's are just to good anyhow

dont use reed switches,they can be a huge pain in arse

I HAVE TO ADMIT I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT IT. I MAKE THE CARS THAT GO AROUND. I DO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT THAT. GO WITH GRANT ON THE TRACK STUFF.

Andy,

I can tell you that the stop watch isn't accurate at all. I ended up buying one of the AFX electronic control stations. But they're about $160 new. A mate of mine sorted something out for his mates scaletrix, so I'll have an ask.

Some info on timing gear!

Hi Dave, The hardest thing now is getting the sensors. I bought the last
four from Dick smith for the dragstrip timing a week or so ago they are not
stocking them anymore. Ill have to see if anyone else stocks them.

Go to this site

www.hoslotcarracing.com

scroll down the left hand side panel
until you find ELECTRONICS
under the "Lap timer" link you will find the hardware configurations. I use
the Parallel port Trakmate configuration.

If you click on the "Software" link in the left hand panel it will take
you to a page that has "lap timer 2000" if you click on that it will let
you down load the software.


here is the link to the DSE site with the phototransistors that are used
for the sensors

http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4a34ceed0 ... View/Z1951

Hope this makes sense.. If not let me know

I can put the track pieces together for you if you want it really is very
simple tho as youll see from the diagram on the web page

cheers

More info!

Yeah Thats fine. I see that Jaycar (Jaycar.co.nz) have got the 5mm
phototransistors these would work ok but you would probably have to
file/sand the top of the case so you got rid of the round bit otherwise it
may stick up through the track too far. The 3mm ones are better but they do
not seem to be readily available anymore... If you get stuck let me know..
I forgot to mention too you need a light source above the track too. a
couple of LEDs in an overbridge or little gantry does the trick...If you
dont want to make these up you can buy little dash type LEDs from repco or
supercheap auto. I actually used the fitting that came with a light for
reading a book...from the 1,2,3 dollar shop in Paraparaumu...depends on the
look you want I guess...

Cheers

John