Idea:
Build a Race Start Light System instead of saying “Ready, Set, Go”
Concept:
2 IR Detector’s connected to an Arduino Microcontroller listen for 10 pulses from a TV remote coming at 38khz to avoid sun light interference.
If 10 pulses are counted then the Arduino will blink the LED’s 3 times. This tells the racer that the TV remote signal has been received.
A short delay gives time to store the TV remote and to focus on the actual Race start.
The start sequence works similar to an F1 or German Touring Car start. The LED’s come on one at a time with a short delay and go all out at the same time which is the start of the race.
The Arduino resets after the start sequence and waits for 10 pulses again to start the next starting sequence.
Due to the fact that the IR LED’s are pulsed they can be “over driven” as far as current goes – which is the reason why a TV remote works from easily 20-30 feet away.
Video:
Items List: Continue Reading »
At first I thought I had it all figured out by using a laserpointer to trigger my lap timer and lap counter software.
BUT… turns out that my Rally car is “loosing paint” and the laser shines right through the body and triggers the software to count the car 2-3 times each time it comes by.
I also wanted to keep setup time to a very minimum and decided to built a mechanical contact that would simply trigger when the Continue Reading »
Lap Timer Software and Laser triggered Photo Transistor Timing Gate
“Going around in circles is a lot more fun when you keep time!”
Test setup using a Carerra Slotcar Track
Originally I considered programming my own lap timer. I researched several Javascript options and stumbled more or less by accident into several slotcar forums and sites. I grew up with a Carrera 140 Servo Slotcar track and just recently acquired a Carerra Go track for some family fun. Turns out the slotcar boys are really into precise timing and “why re-invent the wheel” when a genius like Gregory Braun over at hoslotcarracing.com already build a great piece of software.
In a nutshell the setup uses a standard Photo transistor connected to a Continue Reading »
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