Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Commercial timing systems
Post Reply
User avatar
PWD
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 724
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:24 am

Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by PWD »

I have the NewBold timer and every year the wire that connects to the sensor at the finish breaks. It is fustrating. There are many cheap choices for timers but when you add in purchasing a new finish sensor every year it would have been cheaper buying a more expensive timer.

-Stev-
User avatar
gpraceman
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4926
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:46 am
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Contact:

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by gpraceman »

That sounds strange. Is the issue with how you are mounting them to the track? If the wires are not protected by something then I could see the possiblity for the wires to get damaged causing a short. Have you contacted NewBold Products about this problem?
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8

Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
User avatar
PWD
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 724
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:24 am

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by PWD »

I think it would be less of an issue if we elevated the track but I don't want to do that. I have not contacted NewBold but I am about to. I think I will buy another timer as a backup.

-Stev-
User avatar
gpraceman
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4926
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:46 am
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Contact:

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by gpraceman »

PWD wrote:I think it would be less of an issue if we elevated the track but I don't want to do that. I have not contacted NewBold but I am about to. I think I will buy another timer as a backup.

-Stev-
Can you route a channel under your track to run the wires? You can then use hot glue to fill in the wire channel or a thin plate to cover it up.
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8

Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
User avatar
WarpSpeedINC
Merchant
Merchant
Posts: 336
Joined: Thu May 13, 2004 7:08 pm
Location: Harrisburg, NC

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by WarpSpeedINC »

Our timer is about 3-4 years old and we haven't had a failure, Yet.
We just ordered a new Piantedosi aluminum track to use with this timer. I did notice, testing on our two lane Piantedosi that, because of the thin track surface, I had to elevate the track slightly because the leads from the optical sensors would run into the floor. After elevating the track (about3/4in) clearance was no longer an issue.
If you're track is of the same design, that may be the only solution. Unless you can find some lower profile optical sensors.
Other than that, we are realy happy with the timer. Very easy to use, and is self sufficient (no computer required).

Warp Speed
Anything worth doing, is worth over doing!
User avatar
PWD
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 724
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:24 am

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by PWD »

That is exactly the issue. The optical sensors run into the ground. This is why, I believe, they keep breaking. I would rather not elevate the track. The sensor we bought last year which is now broken was even worst. It was longer than the year before sensor. So the problem is getting worst.

I was looking at purchasing a new timer from a different company and noticed a life time waranty. So I looked on the NewBold web site and noticed that my timer is still undre waranty. So maybe I can get them to do something about the problem. Otherwise I am considering buying the timer MaxV mentioned. It looks nice and relatively cheap.

-Stev-
User avatar
gpraceman
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4926
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:46 am
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Contact:

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by gpraceman »

PWD wrote:That is exactly the issue. The optical sensors run into the ground. This is why, I believe, they keep breaking. I would rather not elevate the track. The sensor we bought last year which is now broken was even worst. It was longer than the year before sensor. So the problem is getting worst.
To me, the problem is not with the sensor or timer. If you place sensors under the track, you need to give them some clearance so they are not having the weight of the track sitting on top of them or their wires. This may mean you need to put some 1x2 spacers (or something similar) under the flat sections. You can buy another timer, but I think you may end up with the same problem. The cost of some 1x2's is far cheaper than buying another timer.
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8

Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
User avatar
mrvoltz
Apprentice
Apprentice
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2003 7:51 pm
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Contact:

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by mrvoltz »

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 parallel timers letting the software do the timing (GPRM) but that's just me.
Dave Wright
Awana Ministry Team, North and Central Florida
Blue Zone, Grand Prix Specialist
http://awana.wrightmap.com" target="_blank
Packdude
Journeyman
Journeyman
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:40 pm
Location: Apopka, FL
Contact:

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by Packdude »

If the original poster is still around, I would love to hear what happened with the replacement timer. Also, what model timer did you have? My pack purchased the DT8000 timer several years ago and once we got the lighting set correctly, it worked great! We ran a derby using it last weekend, since my aluminum track/timer is out of commission. It worked great, but one of the optical sensors is coming out of it's tube and the cars were hitting it. It still worked, but needs to be fixed before our district derby, where we may have to use it again if I still can't get my Daytona timer to work outdoors.
User avatar
Buckeye
Pine Head
Pine Head
Posts: 98
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2004 5:27 pm
Location: New England

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by Buckeye »

I have been using the DT8000 for 3+ years without a failure. The problem is not with the timer or sensor, it is with your installation. It is nothing to elevate the track the 1/2" or so necessary to solve your problem. We have 3/8" plywood strips fastened to the bottom of our Piantedosi track and that works fine. Afterall the joining plates are that thick anyways so to keep the track level the strips are necessary. With the track thickness of 3/8" and the strips that gives you 3/4" which is plenty for the sensors we have from NewBold. It's a great timer, I like it mush better than the Fast Track we also have.
User avatar
PWD
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 724
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:24 am

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by PWD »

I did not get a replacement timer from newbold. I had to purchase a couple of additional sensors for the finish. I also purchased another starting sensor as the original had a broken wire.

I am not convinced the end sensors is the only problem. The timer has an intermediate problem but I can't figure out what it is. It is very hard to get the timer to initally work. Once you get a clean reset then everything is usually fine until I want to use the timer on a different day. I then go through the situation again. I thought the problem is a short in the finish sensor. When I replace the end sensor it seems to work find initally. But then after a while it has the problem again. So I would buy another end sensor. But now I am not convinced this is what is going on. It might be a short where you plug in the end sensor. It is driving me crazy.

I am looking at purchasing a another timer and spending a little more. I was just looking at the K3 from Microwizard.

All I want is a reliable timer that works day in and day out.

What would be nice with multiple timers is that if I can get them to work is I now have verification on a time which makes me more comfortable.

-Stev-
Packdude
Journeyman
Journeyman
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:40 pm
Location: Apopka, FL
Contact:

Re: Anyone else have problems with the NewBold timer?

Post by Packdude »

I'm not sure how long you've had the timer, but did you consider sending it back to Newbold? I sent our DT8000 back and they replaced the board in it. I'm having issues now with the Daytona bridge modules bowing over my 6 lane track. I'm sending back the bridge modules and they are going to replace the 2" brackets between each module with one long bracket.
If you've had it too long for them to replace the parts under the warranty, maybe they could at least try to duplicate the issue and let you know what the problem is. If they discover that it is something on the board, they may be willing to go ahead and replace it for you for free or at a discount since you've been having problems for so long.
Post Reply