This seems to be a DEAD subject arround here, there are a couple of guys making and selling these things and it seems that its such a plentifull market and people are making LOTS of money making them they do not want to share much information
__________________
+Peace be with you+
Carl Slaughter
Interestingly, Squat just announced a lap counter, but I haven't been able to find any more info on it (such as what technology it uses: freq, transponder, laser etc.).
Somebody get me a bunch of cheap lasers and I'll share all my experiences. Besides I think McIne posted a schematic for the switching part of the lap counter a while ago.
Well I have been doing some experimenting with IR Photo Transistors (The kind you can find at Radio Shack 276-145) and I have found that Laser Pointers will trigger them (Must have some IR freq in the beam) so I am going to use the simple circuit that connects 4 photo transistors to the joystick port (Buttons) and I can make a real cheep 4 car lap counter. If anyone is interested I will post some pics of it and what parts you need. And the software I am using.
__________________
+Peace be with you+
Carl Slaughter
I am interesteg about the software, you are using. I have told everything I use in my specs some time ago (sorry, about the pictures, haven't got camera). Now I am working in microcontroller based counter for 6 cars. I did a plugin for the free slotcar timing sotfware. It is fun project, but if you just want to race, it is not worth it. The parallel port solution works too and really cheap and quite good.
Well using a couple of laser pointers and a couple of Radio Shack Photo Transistors (276-145) and using the above program, hooking the lasers to the 5V source of the joystick port, I was able to make a working lap counter for about $50. It very simple I will post instructions shortly. You can see it on my webcam at:
Laser pointers can be obtained VERY cheap on ebay, like free, with shipping, but you gota look for those auctions... typicaly they are only 2.50... ... sometimes have to buy 5 or more.. but in this case you need 5 or more
Sorry, no .. In electronic stores laser modules cost about 20€/pcs but I managed to get few from spain for about 4€ a piece .. those look exactly like the ones in the akaKilroy's link. Those are easy to disasseble to a quite small laser-module.
I wonder how cheap laserpointers can you get from here, have you tried to find those ?
I tried that laptimer program and it was quite good. In my twisted mind I have liked the GLSFR (http://download.com.com/3000-2130-69...ml?legacy=cnet) software. It is for slotcars but I could do my own plugin to it (sadly www.glsfr.com doesn't work anymore) to support my timing system. I could use my parallel port photodiode/photoresistor circuit without any plugin.
I am running Windows XP and the parallel port version I am told do not work since they talk directly to the ports (Parallel and serial) and XP does not like that and does not allow that. That's why I am using the Joystick port. It can supply the 5V I need for the laser pointers as well. My track is wide enough for 4 cars, so 4 lanes is enough for me, same goes with the software. Its a very nice program and has a good set of features but I agree they need to add a couple more lanes to it.
I will have my web cam up again tonight (USA Central Standard Time) about 6:30PM IF anyone want to take a peek of my progress.
I will take some pictures as well and post them along with some instructions.
__________________
+Peace be with you+
Carl Slaughter
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