Lap Timer - Page 2

Steve · #16 10-20-2002, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Go0ty
but i had an idea, since most people might not have a spare lap top and all of that stuff to make a lap timer, I was thinking maybe there was a device or something for a TI-83 calculator that records time of a moving object somehow. I mean TI has craploads of tools to do tons of stuff, I tried looking on their site to see if they had a tool like that, but their site is pretty poorly organized and I couldn't really tell. anyone think there might be a device or something that they have for TI's that records time of something?

Not sure about a calculator, but my old IronMan Timex had a stopwatch, though I have no idea how to make a phototransistor talk to a Timex.

Ancient laptops or PC's aren't all that hard to find really cheap nowadays. I've seen the kind of PC horsepower I'm using on the curbside...people can't give these things away usually. I mean my laptop has 12MB of RAM...sheeesh.

Steve · #17 10-20-2002, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by go_zz_go
sorry i ment how many lap tops at once

I dunno...my guess is as many as you want, or at least until you blow a breaker.

go_zz_go · #18 10-20-2002, 01:00 AM

i think i confused ya iment it to be a joke refering to all the parts ones lying around here

Steve · #19 10-20-2002, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by go_zz_go
i think i confused ya iment it to be a joke refering to all the parts ones lying around here

Well then take one that has a fan RPM header on it, and make a ZipZap Dyno so we can use motherboard monitoring software to chart our Zip's perfomance! Remember, you heard it here first!

Go0ty · #20 10-20-2002, 01:15 AM

yeah i was just wondering cause in chemistry and physics classes we always do labs and crap and the school has a bunch of TI instruments used to measure and calculate god knows what, so i figured maybe, in their wide array of tools, TI made some sort of timer that could be used for a lap counter. just an idea.

go_zz_go · #21 10-20-2002, 01:16 AM

ohh good idea we could find out our true rpms of the motors oh think of the possibilitys

Steve · #22 10-20-2002, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by slugbugg
What if you had a fin mounted on the cars at various heights and had a lap counter set for each cars height.you could use the fin as a number plate also.I wonder if a small wire holding the fin up would trip the counter.

I've actually considered this, and the software allows for adjusting the amount of time an open switch takes before registering, so it might actually work.

lnx_author · #23 10-20-2002, 10:26 AM

- i like the concept (and even have several laptops with i could use), but this looks like too much work, too many cables, and too expensive for many zz folks...

- it would be great for a dedicated setup/track (although i guess if you use a notebook, portable as well)...

- thanks for posting/sharing the info!

- (but i'm still looking for/working on a *really* cheap lap counter)...

marc515192 · #24 10-20-2002, 11:40 AM

I plan to mount photo cells in the bottom of the track just have to make sure I cross in my respected lane.
However working on some diffrent ideas.

Steve · #25 10-20-2002, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lnx_author
- i like the concept (and even have several laptops with i could use), but this looks like too much work, too many cables, and too expensive for many zz folks...

- it would be great for a dedicated setup/track (although i guess if you use a notebook, portable as well)...

- thanks for posting/sharing the info!

- (but i'm still looking for/working on a *really* cheap lap counter)...

Its easier to build than dual cell mod, costs the same as a Bit, and has one cable. I'm pretty sure I've seen cheaper laser pointers...like $8.00 someplace, and if you don't use AC power, just use the battery they come with. Now you're looking at a grand total of $10...it doesn't get much cheaper than that.

marc515192 · #26 10-20-2002, 03:58 PM

I was reading on a slot car site/RC and saw the flag idea bu they used IR with the photo cells.

Maybe I'll try that

Steve · #27 10-20-2002, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marc515192
I was reading on a slot car site/RC and saw the flag idea bu they used IR with the photo cells.

Maybe I'll try that

I tried using an infra-red emitter first, but the range to the receiver was pretty bad, only about 5 inches max. I still used the infra-red transistor receiver so apparently lasers put out some infra-red light.

marc515192 · #28 10-20-2002, 07:18 PM

I was thinking maybe recessing the recievers in a wood tower (scale of course) so there more sensitive

Steve · #29 10-20-2002, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marc515192
I was thinking maybe recessing the recievers in a wood tower (scale of course) so there more sensitive

My problem wasn't so much the receivers as it was the emitter. I don't think it was emitting a very concentrated beam...I couldn't see it so I don't know for sure, but I put the recommended voltage through it and then some, and still was only able to get about 5 inches from the receiver. I'd be interested in finding something infra-red, cause with a laser, it's gonna look a little like my Zip is being scanned at the grocery store every lap! LOL!

DOH!, what if we made little tags with bar codes on them and hit them with a scangun each lap..that would differentiate between cars...hahaha..I might have issues.

lowerdfool · #30 10-21-2002, 09:05 AM

I like the dyno idea. . . lol good work on the lap counter as well.