Dreamed, designed, prototyped, built and tested…..

This is the final prototype of a wireless timing system. It works using a set of tweeked walkie talkies so your start line can be as far as 1-1.5 km from the finish!

Duel lane: The smaller box has a big red button for starting the race and sounding a LOUD buzzer and the timer box is at the finish with both track switches plugged in to it.
Single Lane: I like to run the timer box at the start line with one track switch plugged in and the big red button box at the finish with the other track switch plugged in. This method means that one rider can reset their time, lay down a run, HEAR they have crossed the finish as the buzzer sounds and but have to return to the start to get their time.

This is a pcb that did not make it past quality control before being set to the etching tanks, printing fine traces is tricky and making sure every trace is good before removing all that copper is even harder!

Here is what it looks like with less copper and more components! There is definatly going to be a small error in all displayed times due to transmission time but both lanes are always within 0.05 of a second to each other so lane to lane it is very fair.

Any questions or comments?

Been a busy few weeks that started by using my face as a brake at the local style jam  Slope of Style….

After a few days of healing Olly, Joe and myself headed out for our first hoon on a real set of slalom cones. Had a blast but was left wondering how fast we were going.

I decided that it was about time Uglie Carnie built a race timer! I wanted something that was :

1) Wireless with a 1-2km range

2) Simple to use

3) Rechageable

4) Robust

5) Can start either a DH race with a buzzer OR a slalom run when a rider rolls over the start tape switch.

Finished prototype start gate:

The system works very well and gives all riders, relative to each other very accurate times. The track switch plugs in using heavy duty cable and large solid 6.5mm PA style connectors. The tape is very sensitive and has circuity to account for the front and rear wheels rolling over the switch. The 90db start buzzer can be turned off if you are using the tape switch to start the clock or left on to give an audible confirmation of the clock starting. The system should plug into most walkie-talkies and will transmit the required start commands so long as there is reception. The charger plugs into the rear of the unit and should last a few days of use between charges.