How to build a Doorbell-beam timing system for DH/Enduro racing??

[nigelhicks]

Hey guys

 

for our regional DH events i would like to try and get a remote timing system set up ... CHEAP ....

 

I need to try figure out how we can use a doorbell-style beam to do timing - must be a way to use a CHEAP beam like those doorbells that the shops often use and hook it up to a computer with an excel spreadsheet that recognises a time when the beam is broken ... then that works out your time ... dont know if you can get it to 100s of a second though???

 

Anyone with any ideas? Keen to try and set something up

There must some IT gurus on here who could whip up a program for me quickly.

 

Thanks

Nige

[jimmy hardtail]

Are you gonna have a beam at the start and the finish or only the finish? Cos the problem would be to link the start line to the pc. If its only at the finish then just bastardise your keyboard so that one of the keys is activated by the beam

 

The best system has to be freelap timing poles, but the cost is high and everyone needs a freelap watch

 

I have been thinking about a sensormatic type system for a while now. When I work it out ill let you know!

[geecee]

eish, guessing we should have had our in depth discussion here

[Grebel]

We are still working on a "cheap" option. Trying to figure out a way to link the start and finish without using cables.... I am sure as jimmy pointed out, If you use a beam linked to your laptop you could trigger a signal at the bottom, but the problem is at the start and the manual release... There is too much room for error to time to 100's of a second. To get it accurate to that level, you need a trigger at the top as well as a trigger at the bottom (ID with RF ID tags would link the rider to the time but that is costly.

 

Don't they use wires for the WC? I am sure I saw cables at cascades....

[nigelhicks]

We are still working on a "cheap" option. Trying to figure out a way to link the start and finish without using cables.... I am sure as jimmy pointed out, If you use a beam linked to your laptop you could trigger a signal at the bottom, but the problem is at the start and the manual release... There is too much room for error to time to 100's of a second. To get it accurate to that level, you need a trigger at the top as well as a trigger at the bottom (ID with RF ID tags would link the rider to the time but that is costly.

 

Don't they use wires for the WC? I am sure I saw cables at cascades....

 

Ya they use Cables for the world cup - and its a MISSION to lay 4km worth of cabling for a race, not to mention pricey and not time effective.

[Grebel]

Ya they use Cables for the world cup - and its a MISSION to lay 4km worth of cabling for a race, not to mention pricey and not time effective.

 

Maybe they know something we are still to find out... Our luck, you lay the cables the day before to come back the next day and the cables have been stolen and sold as scrap!

 

I will keep you posted on our progress with the system.