Derby Talk

Our Pack is currently working towards installing a solenoid start gate and using the Smartline Timer Finish Line. After getting everything set up, including the start and finish gates, USB-serial adapter with correct drivers, we have been able to properly test the solenoid starter.

However, when we run a test race in the Hardware Setup in GrandPrix Manager, the Smartline finish gate is not starting the timer when the solenoid opens. Instead, the first car across the finish gets a time of 0.0001 and then the other two cars' times are based on how long after the first car finishes that they finish. As previously stated, we are using GrandPrix Manager software and it knows that there is an issue with the times as a pop-up indicating such appears. We've looked through all of the settings on GrandPrix Manager as well as help files for GrandPrix Manager and the Smartline Finish Gate/Timer and can't figure out how to resolve this.

Any help in what settings we have incorrect would be a great help.

Thanks.

Dan - Pack 134 - Bolingbrook, IL

Do you have the start switch connected to the timer? That is how the timer will behave when the start switch is not being used, is wired up wrong or otherwise has an issue. Even when using a solenoid to open the gate, you still need to use the start switch, if you expect to score heats by elapsed time.

That was it! I had assumed the software triggering the solenoid would start the time. Sure enough, after installing the switch, the timer works perfectly. Thanks for your help!

I am always amazed how easy everything is when you know how to do it. Way to Go, gpraceman.

dlhodgson wrote:That was it! I had assumed the software triggering the solenoid would start the time. Sure enough, after installing the switch, the timer works perfectly. Thanks for your help!

I'm glad that you go it resolved. While the GPRM can trigger a solenoid gate, the timer does all of the timing. So, the timer needs the start switch to know when the gate has opened.

Some have tried to electronically tie the solenoid gate activation to the start signal for the timer, but the signal to activate the timer is not necessarily the same moment that the gate opens up. If there is any binding of the linkage or operation of the gate release, that can affect race timing. So, it is best to keep the switch, as it is the best indicator when the gate has actually opened.