Derby Talk

Acually I was responding to the message above yours, Not to you aeroknut. Sorry for the missunderstanding. Micro Wizard has a good product for those who don't want to or don't know how to build there own. Also, no it is not the same for one lane vs four, a single timer circuit is very simple. I've j...

The Awana plans have the strip only 1 3/8" wide.
Most organizations use 1 5/8" wide now, and should be 1/4" high.
I have updated them and plan to submit them to Awana to bring them up to date.

I know this is an old thread but I have reworked this circuit and the info you seek is on my site.
You don't need the second comparator if you make some simple changes that I found are more reliable.

Mine does need a computer but the whole thing, sensor system and software cost me less than $150, and it does 4 lanes to 4 decimal places.
I'm working on something simple for testing purposes.

Those sound expensive for what you get. If your going to pay that much you might as well go all the way and end up with a good timer. If you have a computer and race software you can build an inexpensive sensor system for about $60-70. The software is worth $60. Links to that info and more can be fo...

I used the "sandyply" found at Home Depot for the same reason.
It is cupboard grade, more plys and smooth as good both side.

I have finished refining the old Awana track plans and also have plans for a track that has joints as mentioned above.
As for electronics, I have reworked my plans and have them available on my site.

Never had problems with glare using IR.
I don't think painting the bottom of your car will make any difference.
My holes for the sensors do not exceed 3/8" so there isn't much room for reflection.

There are two designs on my site that may help.
Complete plans are available for download.
Also plans for electronics if you are interested.

If they do deside to build one, there are some other plans out there that have different levels of difficulty. Also plans for an electronic finish line detector.
Check my site for two track plans and a parrellel detector.
http://www.wrightzoo.com/awana.htm

I would have to agree with gpraceman. 1x2s are a lot easier and cheaper. And they don't raise the track much, only 3/4" This is an unfortunate down side to low profile aluminum tracks. But easy to fix :) If you're looking for a inexpensive backup timer you can check out my site. I prefer parall...

One thing to remember in order to avoid prolems. Once you have the adapter working well and set up right, always use the same USB port for that adapter or it will reconfigure it as a new port and change the settings. I found this when using an adapter with my GPS. When I plug into the same USB port ...

In the past with the right driver chips some computers provided 12 V at very low currents but this quote from this site: http://www.tkk.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/rspower.html In the last few months there have been increasing notification of problems on lap-tops and a few desktop computers because...

First of all, the serial port is only 5 V also. What finishline circuit did you have your father build, the parrellel one on Randy's site? If so the only "change" that is required is a connection to pin 2 and ground to the solenoid mosfet circuit and set the software for solenoid start gat...

I am happy to say the redesign of the parrellel interface timer similar to Pack 471's that I made uses a different method of comunication and is not bothered by that kind of interferance. Also I have the control circuit up by the start line and run a Cat 5 (standard computer network cable) to the fi...