Low cost lap-timer...interested?

[skelstar]

Hey guys,

Im not a racer but I AM an Electronics Engineer.

I kinda had the idea of building a very low cost/budget lap timer. What Im thinking is purely having a box with a simple display on your handlebars and a trigger located very near one of your handgrips. The idea (havent fully thought it through yet) is that you would pull the trigger as you go through the start/finish or a fixed point on the circuit. The display would tell you the elasped time since you last 'pulled the trigger'.

Questions:

Would anyone be interested in buying one? (very low cost, not looking to retire on this product).

Is there something that already does this?

Is it too simple, difficult to use? Remembering that it could be any fixed point on the circuit. You could even do the timing through a section of the course.

Thinking about hiring them out at trackdays/races too maybe...


What do people think? Enough interest may warrant further investigation.

[Sketchy_Racer]

yes i would be very interested!!!!

what sort of price would you be thinking??

[skelstar]

yes i would be very interested!!!!

what sort of price would you be thinking??
Havent really priced it yet. Wanna do some product spec first...see what the market wants. If it were just a trigger, circuit board and 4 digit display then it could be around $150 or something. But dont quote me on that (literally) :).

[SimJen]

Sounds good, lots of new bikes are coming out with similar things....except they use the starter button as the trigger (electronically disconnects once started).
A better idea would be a triggered timer using an infrared beacon or similar. Real ones aren't cheap to buy.
Or a cheap transmitter and pickup to wire into a PC for proper lap timing with individual bikes able to be picked up seperately just like the big tracks use (AMT i think).

[Sketchy_Racer]

yea thats all i want, is just something simple to let me know if i am acctually improving..

[wendigo]

What I'd be really interested in is if you could build a det counter?

[Marmoot]

Need to have a memory for at least 10 lap for analysis at later stage. I don't want to analyze my data while steaming full pace at 250+

[Sketchy_Racer]

hmmmm yes a memory could be a good idea as it would be a pain in the arse trying to read it at 200kph lol

[bugjuice]

my bike has one factory fitted :bleh:
only problem I find is that when you cross the line each time, you won't be able to get it smack bang on, so they're not totally accurate. But it is good for an indication of how you're doing. And it's often best to do it on a straight. Nothing worse than fumbling with buttons mid-corner!

What'd work better is if you could figure out a system where the 'brains' is on the track side, and the transponder is on the bike, and it just times you when you pass the point each time. Yes, they have this in racing already, but you can't buy them cheaply, and they're really cool..

[skelstar]

Sounds good, lots of new bikes are coming out with similar things....except they use the starter button as the trigger (electronically disconnects once started).
A better idea would be a triggered timer using an infrared beacon or similar. Real ones aren't cheap to buy.
Or a cheap transmitter and pickup to wire into a PC for proper lap timing with individual bikes able to be picked up seperately just like the big tracks use (AMT i think).
Yeah, I know thats what people would want but I want it to be VERY simple, which means not setting things up trackside etc. Dont want to support software on laptops and other technical issues. Im not going to be able to be at events with people to show them how to use it. Low stress for customers, low stress for me :).

[skelstar]

What I'd be really interested in is if you could build a det counter?
Detector counter? If so then check out the other reply. ta.

[skelstar]

What'd work better is if you could figure out a system where the 'brains' is on the track side, and the transponder is on the bike, and it just times you when you pass the point each time. Yes, they have this in racing already, but you can't buy them cheaply, and they're really cool..
That would be cool, but probably expensive and prone to environmental issues (ie is there a bike between you and your detector?).

This would def be for the novice making big gains. Or for the lads on the rimutakas :niceone:.

[skelstar]

Need to have a memory for at least 10 lap for analysis at later stage. I don't want to analyze my data while steaming full pace at 250+Chicken :).
I could have a memory, that would download afterwards through RS232. Not too difficult. Dont want to write software for computers though. Could just use a terminal program...or cycle through times on display. Real simple-like.

[bugjuice]

the coro loop? place it at Kopu :niceone:

using some low vol FM, it wouldn't have to be line of sight. but then it could fail it's accuracy. Even if it was line of sight, it'd be too hard to get a reading, cos the bike would be in a different position each time it passed. Do some intramanet search and see what systems are in use already, and just 'borrow' some ideas and make it cheaper

[Marmoot]

What'd work better is if you could figure out a system where the 'brains' is on the track side, and the transponder is on the bike, and it just times you when you pass the point each time.

You mean ACTUALLY having your missus on the track side to time you? :scratch:

And yeah, I was actually interested in instaling the sensor on SH22 if it's inexpensive and inconspicuous :blah:

[Drunken Monkey]

If you could do one with a beacon like the pro units, that would be better. They cost from around $400~450 up to $800~900. There was someone else interested in making them earlier, after I was asking about them:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=3597

[wendigo]

Detector counter? If so then check out the other reply. ta.

Sorry detonator counter. Have always been curious as to whats going on inside my engine. In hindsight, scratch that idea. It's not building the electonics that'd be the difficult part - its the fitting of it on the bike which would be a nightmare.

[Marmoot]

Chicken :).

don't blame me, I crashed twice before simply for daydreaming

[Marmoot]

Sorry detonator counter.

you're not part of Al-Qaeda are you?

[skelstar]

using some low vol FM, it wouldn't have to be line of sight. but then it could fail it's accuracy. Even if it was line of sight, it'd be too hard to get a reading, cos the bike would be in a different position each time it passed. Do some intramanet search and see what systems are in use already, and just 'borrow' some ideas and make it cheaper
True, multiple riders multiple channels too. Would have columnate/focus the signal but then that would be reasonably consistent each lap. Ill have search tonight...when I have time away from KB :).

[wendigo]

you're not part of Al-Qaeda are you?
Nah - being part irish, PIRA is the terrorist organisation of choice in my neck of the woods. Tiocfaidh ar la and all that bullshit...

[skelstar]

don't blame me, I crashed twice before simply for daydreaming
Daydreaming is what you do when you are not riding. I hope you were at least daydreaming about bikes...or boobies.:blip:

[Drunken Monkey]

It's normally an IR beacon and sensor.

[skelstar]

It's normally an IR beacon and sensor.
True...IR would be good.
Problems:
1. what about two bikes crossing the signal at the same time?
2. Is everyone capable of seting the thing up on their bike and trackside?
3. Environmental issues could = customer issues :). Nobody wants that, and if they do they want more money.

[Drunken Monkey]

True...IR would be good.
Problems:
1. what about two bikes crossing the signal at the same time?
2. Is everyone capable of seting the thing up on their bike and trackside?
3. Environmental issues could = customer issues :). Nobody wants that, and if they do they want more money.

Not too sure how they resolved the problems with item 1, but this is how pro timers work and I haven't heard of problems.

Yes. Sometimes you see a pile of senders at the side of the track. However I have also read that if a track has a sender built in, some brands can run off the track's sender. Also, if say one person buys a "rollcentre" receiver and sender, his mates only need to buy a "rollcentre" receiver. Same principle with "demon tweeks" and the other good brands as well.

...and as usual it will probably work out more expensive to make them than to buy units already on the market...

[Marmoot]

True...IR would be good.
Problems:
1. what about two bikes crossing the signal at the same time?


use x-ray or Gamma ray. They will solve this particular issues.
Of course then if we don't wear protection for the Testicular area we'll get children with 3 eyes at later dates. :violin:

The real answer for 100% accuracy would always point to the magnetic strip then?

But I guess IR sensors would be sufficient for trackday. Not often you get to pass side by side on racetrack on trackdays.

[skelstar]

use x-ray or Gamma ray. They will solve this particular issues.
Ha thats funny. I am an electronics engineer for nuclear scientists. Technically I am a radiation worker. :niceone:
It would solve one issue, but open a whole big can of worms (not testicle related).

[ManDownUnder]

Hey guys,

Im not a racer but I AM an Electronics Engineer.

I kinda had the idea of building a very low cost/budget lap timer. What Im thinking is purely having a box with a simple display on your handlebars and a trigger located very near one of your handgrips. The idea (havent fully thought it through yet) is that you would pull the trigger as you go through the start/finish or a fixed point on the circuit. The display would tell you the elasped time since you last 'pulled the trigger'.

Questions:

Would anyone be interested in buying one? (very low cost, not looking to retire on this product).

Is there something that already does this?

Is it too simple, difficult to use? Remembering that it could be any fixed point on the circuit. You could even do the timing through a section of the course.

Thinking about hiring them out at trackdays/races too maybe...


What do people think? Enough interest may warrant further investigation.

Great idea -not for me, but as a possible suggestion, have it triggered by something external - make it wickedly accurate. A strip of white tape on the road somehow triggering it?

[skelstar]

Great idea -not for me, but as a possible suggestion, have it triggered by something external - make it wickedly accurate. A strip of white tape on the road somehow triggering it?
Hmmm...not a bad idea. Would have to make sure it didnt trigger by passing over a white line, and I dont want to determine colours (ie yellow tape). The less environmental influences the better.
Thanks everyone for the feedback though. Keep it coming! :).

[Hoon]

I did a similar thing a couple years back and made a laptimer using a BS2 microcontroller plus 4x20 LCD and mounted a trigger button on my handle bars. It was very clumsy and limited but did the basics.

I now use one of these laptimer stopwatches (http://www.qualityitemsofmontana.com/Oregon%20Scientific/Oregon%20Scientific%20Sports_Fitness/Stopwatches/Oregon%20Scientific%20sl928m.htm) and wired up the lap button to my horn button and it velcros to the top of my triple clamp. It does a great job for a fraction of the price and is way more convenient. I did plan to connect up an IR sensor trigger + beacon but never bothered because it does an adequate job as it is.

So you might want to consider this before attempting to reinventing the wheel.

[skelstar]

I did a similar thing a couple years back and made a laptimer using a BS2 microcontroller plus 4x20 LCD and mounted a trigger button on my handle bars. It was very clumsy and limited but did the basics.

I now use one of these laptimer stopwatches (http://www.qualityitemsofmontana.com/Oregon%20Scientific/Oregon%20Scientific%20Sports_Fitness/Stopwatches/Oregon%20Scientific%20sl928m.htm) and wired up the lap button to my horn button and it velcros to the top of my triple clamp. It does a great job for a fraction of the price and is way more convenient. I did plan to connect up an IR sensor trigger + beacon but never bothered because it does an adequate job as it is.

So you might want to consider this before attempting to reinventing the wheel.
I think I did read your post about it (last year sometime?). I have a new implementation in the next post. Ta for the input.

[skelstar]

Heres the proposed system:
# Theres a FM transmitter on the side of the track, non bike specific. It transmits a pulse train. A certain frequency (maybe 1kHz).
# Theres a FM reciever on the bike that is tuned to the frequency the Txtr is transmitting at.
# The output of the rxvr is pre-amped into a microprocessor.
# Processor listens for 1khz pulse train in the signal from the radio. Very easy.
# Proc takes a lap time and sends to display for reading at convienient time.
# (not displayed) there will also be a button to start/stop. This allows a txtr to be placed on the end/start of a loop/route and you just have to start/stop it at one end (ie rimutakas/coro/22 etc).

Maybe we could have network around the country :).

[MrMelon]

Maybe we could have network around the country :).

Don't tell the govt that!

[ManDownUnder]

Hmmm...not a bad idea. Would have to make sure it didnt trigger by passing over a white line, and I dont want to determine colours (ie yellow tape). The less environmental influences the better.
Thanks everyone for the feedback though. Keep it coming! :).

yeah I wasd thinking that.

The challenges are:
1) It needs to be very place specific (i.e. not triggering "about there"
2) Wide enough to be reliably hit every time
3) Trigger/signal not lost in a crowd (i.e. riding across the line with 10 others doesn't frustrate the system)

4) (to broaden market appeal) usable in cars too.

Maybe a cable hung high across the road, and the receiver pointing up with shielding arranged so the cable/signal is only "visible" for 1/100th of a second?!?

[skelstar]

yeah I wasd thinking that.

The challenges are:
1) It needs to be very place specific (i.e. not triggering "about there"
2) Wide enough to be reliably hit every time
3) Trigger/signal not lost in a crowd (i.e. riding across the line with 10 others doesn't frustrate the system)

4) (to broaden market appeal) usable in cars too.

Maybe a cable hung high across the road, and the receiver pointing up with shielding arranged so the cable/signal is only "visible" for 1/100th of a second?!?
Valid points.
If the beam is VERY specific there could, in theory, be a chance the unit ont he bike could miss it. If the beam was NOT very specifc (wide cone beam) then the accuracy goes out. Be lets be honest...the difference in time when youre nutting across the start-finish line is going to be very small. At 100km/h youre covering about 27m/s. 10 metres is alot. 1 second aint. Again I stress that this is not for the rider thats try to shave 0.2 secs off his lap time.

The 10 bikes across the line thing will have to be tested. I imagine the 'beam' signal will be scattered/diffused a bit...less so with bikes.

Easily useable in cars.

Thanks.

[skelstar]

Forgot to mention. Doesnt matter if it triggers 5metres infront of the txtr mounting point...so long as it triggers 'about' the same point each lap. Stringing wires above the track would be trouble-some I think. I wont be there to do it...in theory.:)

[cowpoos]

the trigger will transmitt for how far??? it won't set bikes off across the track on a different part of it will it....


what really needs to happen..........


I reckon we just get a van full of dancing girls in skimpy bikini's to the track with stop watches...problem solved...:woohoo:

[skelstar]

the trigger will transmitt for how far??? it won't set bikes off across the track on a different part of it will it....
Woo...thats thinking that is. Maybe it will...to be tested.
Thats thinking man! Oh...and the girls dont need the distraction nor complexity of using stopwatches when they should be DANCING!!! :banana:

[Brian d marge]

Actually if you could modify the enduro computer that was talked about in the mx thread with a simple start stop button ( small and easy to reach with thumb )

The other thing I need is a simple data logger, you can buy electronic kits that store the info and play back through a rs232 port with soft ware available on the net,
Its the potentiometer thats the biter , cheapest one I found was 160 euro ...

You see I have acces to a shock dyno, but its all guess work untill I give hard evidence.

A modified enduro computer would be mostly used to let me know if I could carry on with another lap rather than stop for gas !!!!

Stephen

[Marmoot]

You mean ACTUALLY having your missus on the track side to time you? :scratch:

sorry to quote myself, but this alternative is byfar the cheapest. only cost $7 for a McD lunch for her.

[skelstar]

sorry to quote myself, but this alternative is byfar the cheapest. only cost $7 for a McD lunch for her.
Yeah but would that work day after day? :)...

[Marmoot]

Yeah but would that work day after day? :)...

only if you can give good satisfaction :whistle:

[Bert]

Chicken :).
I could have a memory, that would download afterwards through RS232. Not too difficult. Dont want to write software for computers though. Could just use a terminal program...or cycle through times on display. Real simple-like.

I might have the solution for you - software wise, as long as its a pic micro. software runs vb code and has its own screens that won't be to hard to mod to suit this application - and its free.
note some of the new pic's have built a-d converters, this could be useful for temperature logging.
A couple of us are playing with them at work at the moment.
transponder - what about a small yagi on track side sending a directional tone and a reciever on the bike that closes the circuit
PM me if you want a copy of the software.

[skelstar]

I might have the solution for you - software wise, as long as its a pic micro. software runs vb code and has its own screens that won't be to hard to mod to suit this application - and its free.
note some of the new pic's have built a-d converters, this could be useful for temperature logging.
A couple of us are playing with them at work at the moment.
transponder - what about a small yagi on track side sending a directional tone and a reciever on the bike that closes the circuit
PM me if you want a copy of the software.
I will probably use a PIC. A 16F876 if theyre still around. Im thinking of using some Jaycar FM bug type circuits and a hacked FM radio. Whats a 'yagi'...Ive not heard of this before. Is it an audible tone or ultra-sonic.
Thanks for the offer of the software but Ill be fine. Its going to be the fun bit :).

[Bert]

I will probably use a PIC. A 16F876 if theyre still around. Im thinking of using some Jaycar FM bug type circuits and a hacked FM radio. Whats a 'yagi'...Ive not heard of this before. Is it an audible tone or ultra-sonic.
Thanks for the offer of the software but Ill be fine. Its going to be the fun bit :).

opps - forward push aerial (work slang) - it would narrow down the transmitted beam.

I'm not sure if software writing is fun - your a twisted man, 16F876 are still around though they are getting a harder to find (though I'm cheep and only want to pay $5 for them not $11-$20).

[Marmoot]

(correct me if I'm wrong. it's been 7 years since I read Comms books)

Yagi is a T antennae/aerial that will transmit signal perpendicular to the antenna (hence it is relatively directional).

[skelstar]

(correct me if I'm wrong. it's been 7 years since I read Comms books)

Yagi is a T antennae/aerial that will transmit signal perpendicular to the antenna (hence it is relatively directional).
So did I inadvertantly draw a signal transmitted from a yagi style aerial? :)
I was just thinking of sticking the txtr in a metal tube. I have to talk to a workmate who is a radio engineer.

[brad]

Hey guys,

Im not a racer but I AM an Electronics Engineer.

I kinda had the idea of building a very low cost/budget lap timer. What Im thinking is purely having a box with a simple display on your handlebars and a trigger located very near one of your handgrips. The idea (havent fully thought it through yet) is that you would pull the trigger as you go through the start/finish or a fixed point on the circuit. The display would tell you the elasped time since you last 'pulled the trigger'.

Questions:

Would anyone be interested in buying one? (very low cost, not looking to retire on this product).

Is there something that already does this?

Is it too simple, difficult to use? Remembering that it could be any fixed point on the circuit. You could even do the timing through a section of the course.

Thinking about hiring them out at trackdays/races too maybe...


What do people think? Enough interest may warrant further investigation.
keen as to try or even test for ya,your original idea to keep it cheap and small is good let us no when you've got one working off the handle bars with a trigger sounds good

[SimJen]

You could have two transmitters 1/4 mile apart for timing :)

Or to make it real easy, use a big piece of string with an electric clock on the bike. The string has to be the exact length of the perfect race line of a single lap of the track.
Attach the string to the start line with a large stake and ride off on your perfect lap.
The string pulls the battery out when you have done exactly one lap.
I forsee some minor teething troubles with my solution but nothing a complete redesign won't iron out.

[skelstar]

Talked to my radio engineer mate at work and he reckons a FM transmitter is a bad idea. Reckons lasers, or a high-intensity LED (Luxeon Star $30) on the side of the track, and a photo-diode on the bike (pointing left) with a band-pass optical filter. Pulse train the LED signal so you can try and eliminate the ambient light.

Fuck it...might just do the trigger idea :).

[cowpoos]

Talked to my radio engineer mate at work and he reckons a FM transmitter is a bad idea. Reckons lasers, or a high-intensity LED (Luxeon Star $30) on the side of the track, and a photo-diode on the bike (pointing left) with a band-pass optical filter. Pulse train the LED signal so you can try and eliminate the ambient light.

Fuck it...might just do the trigger idea :).

what sort of transmitter do they use on clothing store tags?

[Bert]

Talked to my radio engineer mate at work and he reckons a FM transmitter is a bad idea. Reckons lasers, or a high-intensity LED (Luxeon Star $30) on the side of the track, and a photo-diode on the bike (pointing left) with a band-pass optical filter. Pulse train the LED signal so you can try and eliminate the ambient light.

Fuck it...might just do the trigger idea :).

the trigger is a great starting point. I might try that one myself.
If you are interested I'm currently tring out a set of j type thermocouples 1 is fitted to a large copper washer (mounted under my spark plug) to measure head temperature. and another 2 that are bolt mounted in the 1 in the intake and another on the header. a company in auckland makes them about $30. they seem to be very stable and linear and they will go to around 600 degrees happily. so logging them is very easy. (though I've got a CR500 campbell datalogger to play with) - why do this you may ask - because i can...

re the optical option - there are alot of guys in the states that use it for slot cars and/or remote control racing - same theory but they have up to ten units to one receiver. and use software to sort it out god knows how, but there is a couple of good web sites on how to build them cheap. i think i googled "lap timers cheap" and came up with about 10 sites.

[skelstar]

Bert: the unit recording the data and logging it will be on the bike, so you only have to have one transmitter. The unit on the side of the track is only a trigger source. I wont know what the times are or anything. Its a dumb unit.

The unit is primarily for seeing the time as you race. Bit of a distraction but hey. When the racer gets off the track, he can download the times by just plugging the unit into rs232. Spits the simply formatted data out to a terminal program.

Ta for the input.

[Bert]

Bert: the unit recording the data and logging it will be on the bike, so you only have to have one transmitter. The unit on the side of the track is only a trigger source. I wont know what the times are or anything. Its a dumb unit.

The unit is primarily for seeing the time as you race. Bit of a distraction but hey. When the racer gets off the track, he can download the times by just plugging the unit into rs232. Spits the simply formatted data out to a terminal program.

Ta for the input.

sorry my brain is one step ahead of the hand, where i was going with that was using that type of set up in reverse.
If they can measure up to ten different units - why cant you measure 10 different point on one track with one unit on the bike and still have your over all laptime and a break down of track segments times on download ?
but it's just a though away.

[skelstar]

sorry my brain is one step ahead of the hand, where i was going with that was using that type of set up in reverse.
If they can measure up to ten different units - why cant you measure 10 different point on one track with one unit on the bike and still have your over all laptime and a break down of track segments times on download ?
but it's just a though away.
Yeah good call. Def a market for that. I think thats something a seasoned rider would want rather than a young budding/trackday rider. Buggered if I could remember what technique I was using in the second lap through turn 3 :).

Wonder if I can get this going for Trackday 3 in march? ....

[Racey Rider]

So a year down the road, Where are these Cheap Lap Timers?!
Why won't I be getting one in my Chirstmas Stocking this year?!

With all the Tect-o's on KB I can't believe we haven't been offered a <$100 lap timer yet.

[skelstar]

I seem to remember a distinct lack of interest.

...and couldn't couldnt be arsed.

[SwanTiger]

For $100 a session I'll time your laps.

[Racey Rider]

Fair enough. Maybe you allowed the thread to get too complicated with add on's.



I kinda had the idea of building a very low cost/budget lap timer. What Im thinking is purely having a box with a simple display on your handlebars and a trigger located very near one of your handgrips. Questions:

Would anyone be interested in buying one? (very low cost, not looking to retire on this product).

Is there something that already does this?


It seems Hoon had an option. But his link no longer works.

If I got 10 Kb'ers together to pay $100 each. Could a basic timer as above be made?
What are other people using?

Racey.

[notme]

Fair enough. Maybe you allowed the thread to get too complicated with add on's.



It seems Hoon had an option. But his link no longer works.

If I got 10 Kb'ers together to pay $100 each. Could a basic timer as above be made?
What are other people using?

Racey.

Dude,

I would do that for that money.....problem is that I would want to go back to some of the other ideas posted in this thread and make it all singing all dancing......

I think (after reading this thread that has resurfaced) that this idea has merit....will think about it over the weekend/xmas break.) I get paid to come up with solutions to problems like this, and have done many times in the past so I'm sure something can be done. :rockon:

[Racey Rider]

It can sing and dance as much as it wants
as long as it's affordable!

[sAsLEX]

Lights a bitch unless its from above as other riders could block your signal, and if its above you needs a wide beam to cover the track.

Could you not just have an emitter of some sort, FM radio sort of thing on the bike, then a data logger on the side of the track logging the signal strength as it should come through strongest only once a lap?!

[MattRSK]

I seem to remember a distinct lack of interest.

...and couldn't couldnt be arsed.

Far lazy!...

[Racey Rider]

I use an Alfano timer. Runs off a magnetic sensor which you attach to the bellypan and there's magnetic strips on every track except Puke which trigger the timer. (I've made a manual push-button for tracks without the magnetic strip).

You can connect a wire to a sparkplug lead to give you rpm, stores 100 laps, has 5 engine hour metres, you can add a joiner to your water hose to give you water temp and at tracks like manfield with 3 strips you can do split timing. Think it's about $600 and can get it from Kart shops. Real good investment coz you can tell yourself to get your A into G if you're doing shit times.

Magnetic would be good.

[TonyB]

Ah jeeze! I was getting all excited till RR came along a year later... wasn't paying attention to the date before that. Interesting to note how, in true KB fashion, skelstar offered something cheap and cheerful, and we all upped the ante untill it became too hard to make, too expensive to buy, and we all lost intrest.

while it'd be cool to have something automatic and accurate, theres probably a very good reason why they cost so much. Dunno what the Norf Island tracks are like, but 'puna and levels both have slowish sections where punching a button slightly before or after your marker would make stuff all difference to lap times.

I currently have no idea what my lap times are... except that they're bloody slow (hence I don't want to know :0 ). I'm at a point now where it would be useful to see how the lap times are progressing. so whos gonna make me a lap timer??

[skelstar]

Start finish line Manfeild, S/F line Taupo (if youre not trying to wheelie), Puke?

Its a no brainer.

The truth is I design electronic shit like this for a living. I have a few of my own projects Id like to do (heated handgrip controller for a start)...but can't even be arsed doing that either.

Maybe when it gets colder.

[Skunk]

Bugger... :(

[notme]

Start finish line Manfeild, S/F line Taupo (if youre not trying to wheelie), Puke?

Its a no brainer.

The truth is I design electronic shit like this for a living. I have a few of my own projects Id like to do (heated handgrip controller for a start)...but can't even be arsed doing that either.

Maybe when it gets colder.

Done one of dem....you want the design to play with?
What breed of engineer are ya Sklestar? i.e. power? (me) RF? embedded?

[sAsLEX]

embedded?

Just finished my degree in that field....

[skelstar]

Electronics. Some embedded stuff...very low signal stuff. Do some PCB CAD as well. Build intrumentation for scientists. +/-2kV PSU recently. Jack of all trades I guess.

[Cajun]

skelstar - If your really keen on this i am on my way to building the backend, my problem is figuing out the electric side(know enought to get myself in trouble, but not out again).

I am having to do a project to finsh my degree, and rather write some software for someone else i have no interest in, i was planning on doing something that interest me.

Software i am looking at, will have all nz tracks in them, and means you can store all your laps, and record other data that you would need (weather, tire information, all the nine yards)

[skelstar]

To be honest, esp since its summer, I really dont have the time.

Initially (I think its this in thread) I was just gonig to have a box with a display of some sort and a button that you would press each lap. You'd cross a known point in the track and push the button. You'd look down and it would show the elapsed time since the last button push. Simple.

No offence Cajun but the software wouldn't be the time consuming aspect of the project (pun unintentional). We have these wicked little devices by Cypress called pSoc Express which have GUI software language. Lots of fun.

I could whip a schematic for the design, I *could* even do the layout and maybe make a prototype board, but even that wouldn't be the most time consuming part. I don't know. I'm willing to help someone else do it I suppose.

[Racey Rider]

Thats fine, I wasn't expecting you to jump to my peck and call.
Was just bringing the topic up again to get people thinking about it and see 'Who' can do something for us over the next few months.

Allun has indicated an interest in possibly building something (will PM you soon). If he can work something out, asking you other knowledgeable types question along the way when needed, hopefully something will happen.

I will PM a few racers to make a list of who's in with some money.

Anyone else who knows what their talking about chip in with comments, and lets make it happen! (Cheaply remember)

[Coyote]

Can you put a death ray on it?

[Skunk]

Initially (I think its this in thread) I was just gonig to have a box with a display of some sort and a button that you would press each lap. You'd cross a known point in the track and push the button. You'd look down and it would show the elapsed time since the last button push. Simple.
That's all I need if someone who has the skills is keen...