Hi Jesus,
I was thinking about building some startling lights using LEDs and wonderd if there is any way they can be tied into the count down on zround. If not could there be the possibility to include this in future builds?
Hi Jesus,
I was thinking about building some startling lights using LEDs and wonderd if there is any way they can be tied into the count down on zround. If not could there be the possibility to include this in future builds?
A simple and easy way to interface ZRound with the light board is an USB keyboard you could hack to send a key combination to ZRound when the race must be started. I have introduced the key combination "Ctrl-Q", it stands for "Quick Start" and it will start the race WITHOUT countdown, just begin to count.
A simple and easy way to interface ZRound with the light board is an USB keyboard you could hack to send a key combination to ZRound when the race must be started. I have introduced the key combination "Ctrl-Q", it stands for "Quick Start" and it will start the race WITHOUT countdown, just begin to count.
Is it enough?
Regards,
Jesús.
Hi Jesus,
I think it would be easier with an Arduino Uno or Mini.
First of all, an Arduino is cheap and very easy to find and program. Second, it has an USB connection. If you connect it to the PC you can command it with serial commands.
LED-cluster is nice, but isn't it a bit overkill? I think a single 5mm LED in a nice LED holder will do the job just as good. The advantage is that you can connect a single LED directly on the Arduino with a rersistor in series.
Now with the Arduino connected as a USB device you can do a lot of things, for example:
- Cancel the start
- Blink for yellow flag or race finish
- ...
It is just an idea. If you like I can build a 'prototype' and document it, would be great if you add the feature to your program.
I can do the electronics for sure, but I have to find some time first.
I'll talk to a couple of apprentices I have and see if this is a project they could be interested in tomorrow. Could be a good way to motivate them
Let me see if I can come up with something, and I'll let you know Nobrainer
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