Phototransistor location

DIY timing systems
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msurebel
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Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:05 am
Location: Olive Branch, MS

Phototransistor location

Post by msurebel »

What's the consensus of how you should mount the transistors? Low in a narrow tunnel to avoid ambient light, or higher where more light can get to it. The transistors work well with incandescent bulbs or white LEDs, if the light source is directly over the hole. The derby timer.com website recommends low in the hole and based on prior experience, we had issues when someone would pass by a window and change the lighting conditions, and it was a cloudy day with no direct sunlight shining in? I've seen others who recommend high in the hole.

We have the Newbold Dx8000 timer and the existing timers casing is not in the best condition so I'm thinking of using the ones I bought for my DIY derby timer. Having just purchased a lift kit for our best track, I've got to build something to hold the transistors anyhow and was thinking of making them permanently mounted with a RG45 connector. I could use the original ones for the space derby.

Any advice?
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