[Si.]

Hi Al

How's your project going ?

I am looking at the moment to improve the timing situation on my 2 lane Sport track.
I want to use a small 'netbook' computer, which would be dedicated to slotcar timing.
I figure I could pick up one of these 2nd hand, real cheap.
I wanted a netbook, as it's size and freedom from power supply would mean it could 'roam' in the layout room easily on a long USB cable.
Also most have a VGA skt. if a larger screen is needed.

I think all these computers have only USB, the parallel & serial skts. are becoming a thing of the past a lot now.

I didn't realise untill delving into the timing forum that PC timing was so bad.
Your system seems to solve this with it's own clock etc. which is exellent.

I also like your idea with the Hall switches, I'm suprised no one else seems to be using them, It's a great idea.
You've obviously got the Hall stuff working in HO, so I'm guessing a board for 1:32 Sport is doable.

I just checked my favorite 'high-priced' electronics supplier RS for the MBED, they have it at £40 + VAT.
Do you know of a cheaper supplier, as I find RS often overprice stuff a lot IMO.

I'm still looking around at other timing stuff, but I could well be interested Al in making one of your setups.
Since there isn't much action in the thread, I figure no one else has made one yet.

If I'm gonna do PC based timing, I would hope for spot on timing, your hardware solution looks good for that.

The ability to log lap times, and see them on screen at a reasonable size is my main reason for considering a new timing system.
I also had wondered about trying to implement a 3 sector 'F1' style system, but haven't seen any solutions for this in my looking so far.

Let us know how the project is going.
I could be up for building one.

Cheers

Si.

 

[Si.]

Hi Al

Yeah...I had wondered if the Hall switches would detect an average 1:32 motor.
If not, IR is good; just thought the 'all below track' idea you had was great.

So is Dave's system using your add on circuits to the MBED ? ( he's using your software as you said ).

If I was keen to build a test version also, could you supply a schematic and provisional software ?

I like very much that the 3 sector bit is doable.

I am thinking I would like to put together a system.

I'm not too worried about PCB's & the like, as I could build on bread or VERO as you did.

Cheers

Si.

 

[Si.]

Hi Al

My MRW Motor Speedway track is ideal for a 3 sector timing setup.
The sectors are FAST, medium & slow ( pits-chicane ), just as many 1:1 race-tracks.

I would like 3 sector timing ( as 1:1 if I could possibly get it ! ).

My track is TOTALY set-up for 3 sector timing; just no timing gear at present ! ( well Scaley actualy ! ).

I am happy with your 'bleedin' software; I have to get a netbook to run it.

My electronics background is OK, mostly in audio as it happens, so should be an OK builder !!!

This looks cool...

Cheers

Si.

 

[Si.]

Hi Al

Thanks, it looks like an exellent project.

On the current MRW circuit, we've managed to incorporate most types of corner in one track.
This has been great for doing car set-ups properly, knowing they can handle fast sweepers as well as tight chicanes.
Perfect moment to introduce a new hi-tech timing system ! ( we love our stats. at MRW ).

I'm going to have a nose about for a suitable computer for the layout room.
As I said I am considering a compact 'netbook' for 'room roaming'.
I'm guessing your software should be fine on any OS & an 'Atom' CPU.
I'm also guessing your main timing window is 'full screen'; just wondering about screen size & readability at a distance.

Also I'm thinking that as my cars are non-mag & the motors are mounted in various different ways, perhaps a conventional light-bridge for 'nose over the line' logging could be a safer bet than the Hall switches.
I do like the Hall switch idea though, probably getting a couple & testing them is the way to find out if it's good for 1:32 motors.

I figure you're getting all your power from USB, so I guess IR LED's would be getting juice from USB as well.

Anyway, thanks again Al, I'm sure a lot of people will be keen to make your project; can't wait to get going !

Cheers

Si.

 

[Si.]

Hi Al

Yeah...only a few LED's ( well aimed !!! ).

I'll leave next years festive lights at the track to the mains !

I figure even with sectors, that's a maximum of only 6 LED's for 2-lane, should be OK.

I was having a look at 2nd hand netbooks today, for the 'roaming screen' idea.

One I looked at a while back was the Samsung NC10, I didn't get one, got a high tech-cell instead.
However.
They seem to be getting sold-on at present, & I reckon one could be cool for the MRW timing screen.
10" display & VGA skt.

If anyone reading this has any good ideas about cheapy net-books; drop in an idea !

I only looked for the Samsung NC10 'cos I looked at 'em a while back.
Seems like with 'mad bidding-frenzys' on Ebay, 2nd hand computers are EXPENSIVE, I'm surprised; maybe I'm a cheap skate.
We'll see, there's loads of NC10's coming up anyhow.

Cheers

Si.

Lt. Daniels, THE WIRE :-

"Dukin' the stats. is what's ruining this police department."

Couldn't agree more Lt.

 

[Si.]

Hi Sy

Yeah...I was really having a look around for something that would run Al's software, had USB & VGA.
I looked at some with 7" screens but felt this was too small; 10" would probably give me good data visibility in the layout room without an extension monitor.

I figured ANDROID devices we're out, as I don't think Al's software will work without a Windows OS.

I did see some 7" super cheap 'mini PC's' however, that run Windows CE.
Unfortunatly the screen seems too small & they had no VGA socket.

I've absolutely no idea what Windows CE is.
It seems to be on cell-phones and these 'mini PC's'.
It looks like Windows CE is for your average 'browsing & word proccesing' stuff.
I'm assuming typical XP or 7 programs are not compatible with it.

Any idea ?

The ANDROID devices do look cheap & attractive for timing.
But unless they are able to run Windows written software, I guess they're not usable ?
( unless of course the software is ANDROID written )

My other option is to use the VERY OLD laptop I am writting on now, which has XP Pro & all port types.
This PC is OLD though. The battery is dead, so it's wired to the mains permanently, & it only has USB 1.0 ( but this actualy works OK for my modern Fuji F31 camera & Motorola ATRIX cell-phone.
The speed is slow, but it works fine.
I guess if Al's data is all delt with by the MBED & it 'quees up' to go via USB to the computer, USB 1.0 may work OK.

Someone payed £135 inc. del. for a 2nd-hand 2 GB Samsung NC10 on Ebay last night.
Is that NUTS ?
Or is it worth that ?

Cheers

Si.

 

[Si.]

Hi Diesel

Yeah...that's what I figured as well...

...gone the way of parallel ports & Betamax !

Oh well I'm sure Bill made a bundle out of it, so I guess it worked for him !!!

Perhaps an office 'door stop' ?

That seems to be a popular use for the ever increasing amount of dud hardware around these days.

How much do you think a 2nd-hand Samsung NC10 with XP is worth ?

£135...surely not ?

Cheers

Si.

 

[Si.]

Hi Al

Yeah...that Windows CE just looks like another one of Bill's money-spinners.

I've been caught out on expensive Microsoft products that don't work before.

Not a second time though, I can tell you.

I think the Samsung NC10 looks a good bet to me.

I can probably score one for a ton, if I'm patient.

Cheers

Si.

 

[Si.]

Hi Al.

That sounds cool on the display rescaling.

I meant that kind of, with the question.

I guess the above rescaling leaves the top & bottom bars visible.
Whereas 'full screen mode' usualy means 'press Esc' to leave.

Anyhow sounds like the timing numbers will be pretty big.

Nice.

Cheers

Si.

 

[Si.]

Hi Al

If you need a beta-tester-builder for hardware...
...I would be pleased to build from basic schematic...
...no PCB required.

I have started to fiddle around here with ideas for IR triggers...
...based on a 'taken-apart' Scaley power-base.

The basic plan at the present...
...is the simple Op-Amp buffered trigger, on the 'Ultimate Racer 3' web-page...
...square-waves of a few Volts.

I figure your trigger compatability, must be along similar lines...
...is it ?

Cheers.

Si.

 

[Si.]

Hi Al

Hope you had a good Christmas hols !

Yeah...just thinking about the IR beams at present...
...not a vast amount of spare-time at the moment...
...but a little progress is better than none !

So...we've been lookin at the possibility of building the IR's into a converted Scaley-pwer-base, for the new track ( some way off yet ! ).

Catch yer soon Al.

Cheers.

Si.

Is your system good with square-waves of a couple of Volts ?

 

[Si.]

Hi Bernard

The Raspberry Pi's GPIO comes 'straight from the processor'.

Just interested to know what 'issues' were highlighted.

Some 'computer types' are VERY funny on things like this...

...& in my experience, often prefer a TOTALY impractical solution, to a simple problem...

...& almost seem reasured by knowing how obscure & un-understandable it is.

The Raspberry Pi, is cheap, small, self contained, extremely popular, programing is intended to be simple...

...along with HD video, sound & USB...

...it punches WELL ABOVE its weight.

Wierd OS's & hardware, that NASA might use; ain't practical for slot-car timing IMO.

Cheers

Si.

Hi Al ... hope it's going well.