Yes - this works for both version v0.3 and v0.4. It does not address the lap counting reliability issue with LC button pressed for v0.3 - that requires the resistor swap-out.
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ARC PRO simple mod to switch the lap sensor into APB-mode
This simple modification switches the lap counting sensor of the ARC PRO into an APB-compatible mode.
The modification relaxes the ID-LED-to-guide-blade constraints of the ARC PRO enabling cars with surechange guides and/or cars with ID LEDs placed a long way back from the guide blade, still, to function correctly. This is achieved by switching the lap counting dual sensor into an APB-compatibility mode.
In making this modification, the analog lap counting function is lost.
The modification is straight forward... and done carefully can be reversed if necessary.
The modification is for DIGITAL use only.
The following nine photos show the procedure (no text)...
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The modification relaxes the ID-LED-to-guide-blade constraints of the ARC PRO enabling cars with surechange guides and/or cars with ID LEDs placed a long way back from the guide blade, still, to function correctly. This is achieved by switching the lap counting dual sensor into an APB-compatibility mode.
In making this modification, the analog lap counting function is lost.
The modification is straight forward... and done carefully can be reversed if necessary.
The modification is for DIGITAL use only.
The following nine photos show the procedure (no text)...
C
Attachments
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Just two points to ensure a successful result:
1/ Take care when removing the small white four pin plug... try not to tug on the wires... instead... carefully loosen from the sides of the socket.
2/ Take care not to damage the blade detect sensor parts which stand up-right from the pcb - these can be easily damaged. They are no longer used after the modification... but reversing the modification would fail if these parts become bent or damaged.
Enough from me
C
1/ Take care when removing the small white four pin plug... try not to tug on the wires... instead... carefully loosen from the sides of the socket.
2/ Take care not to damage the blade detect sensor parts which stand up-right from the pcb - these can be easily damaged. They are no longer used after the modification... but reversing the modification would fail if these parts become bent or damaged.
Enough from me
C
I would recommend waiting a couple of weeks before doing anything which is hard to reverse i.e. wait and see what others find regarding this mod. If you do decide to cut the grey wire... I would propose the cut is made 2-3cm back from the plug... so that a rejoining could be effected if ever desired.Can I also just cut the grey cable if I don't need backward compatibility? Seems to be easier, my Arc Pro is out of guaranty anyway
Hope this helps.
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So there are three options...
1/ remove the grey wire as per above (DIGITAL MODE ONLY)
2/ butcher the sensor board and add a low profile switch (as per kind suggestion by Klitgaard and now as per photo below).
3/ wait for one of my DIY plug in boards with onboard pnp transistor which auto selects between modes. Apologies to everyone who is patiently waiting to give this option a try!
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![Electronic instrument Gadget Audio equipment Computer hardware Electronic component]()
Switch position:
left= normal ARC PRO mode (digital/analog)
right= APB mode (digital only)
1/ remove the grey wire as per above (DIGITAL MODE ONLY)
2/ butcher the sensor board and add a low profile switch (as per kind suggestion by Klitgaard and now as per photo below).
3/ wait for one of my DIY plug in boards with onboard pnp transistor which auto selects between modes. Apologies to everyone who is patiently waiting to give this option a try!
C
Switch position:
left= normal ARC PRO mode (digital/analog)
right= APB mode (digital only)
Attachments
Once we get past lock-down there is another variant of this mod to share which involves a small plug-in module and one solder point. This does the digital/analog switching automatically - no extra switch required. I have promised to send of these modules out to forum friends who have offered to test the mod. So hopefully I can update on this at some point over the summer
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Thanks Mr F
Using this mod to switch the ARC PRO into APB-mode... four lane start/finish lines become possible... but with limitations...
Putting the sensor phototransistors in parallel collector-to-collector and emitter-to-emitter becomes possible with the ARC PRO to double up the number of lanes to four. The approach is exactly the same as often used for the APB. In the image below, 5 laps were recorded for each of the four lanes. I will do some high speed trials over the weekend to ensure the extra capacitance of four phototransistors in parallel does not significantly reduce the ID detection efficiency at speed.
So far it all seems to be working fine.
Next the limitations:
1/ The powerbase must be v0.4 or in the case of v0.3 only after making the 510 Ohm sensor circuit resistor swap-out.
2/ This four lane solution only functions with the Magic unofficial ARC app - not the Hornby ARC app. This is due to the latter using the exit blade sensors to avoid double counts.
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![Light Electronic instrument Gadget Audio equipment Line]()
Putting the sensor phototransistors in parallel collector-to-collector and emitter-to-emitter becomes possible with the ARC PRO to double up the number of lanes to four. The approach is exactly the same as often used for the APB. In the image below, 5 laps were recorded for each of the four lanes. I will do some high speed trials over the weekend to ensure the extra capacitance of four phototransistors in parallel does not significantly reduce the ID detection efficiency at speed.
So far it all seems to be working fine.
Next the limitations:
1/ The powerbase must be v0.4 or in the case of v0.3 only after making the 510 Ohm sensor circuit resistor swap-out.
2/ This four lane solution only functions with the Magic unofficial ARC app - not the Hornby ARC app. This is due to the latter using the exit blade sensors to avoid double counts.
C
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1 - 20 of 54 Posts
