Just purchased 4 lane artin lazy 8 track. I am having a blast and so are my kids . I want to get a SIMPLE lap counter timer but I don't want to spend $400 for a ds system and I do not like the artin lap count system.I was hoping to find a infared system that was 4 lane but I don't know what's involved in these computer timers (xtra track, dead strip do they work with artin)

Any thoughts would be appreciated
midlifer

Just purchased 4 lane artin lazy 8 track. I am having a blast and so are my kids . I want to get a SIMPLE lap counter timer but I don't want to spend $400 for a ds system and I do not like the artin lap count system.I was hoping to find a infared system that was 4 lane but I don't know what's involved in these computer timers (xtra track, dead strip do they work with artin)

Any thoughts would be appreciated
midlifer

I have little to no experience with Artin tracks, but I'm sure its like other tracks where you only have 2-lane track pieces that you have "stacked" together to create your 4-lane, correct? If that is the case, I just saw over at BRSHobbies this:

http://www.brshobbies.com/catalog.php/BRSHobbies/ct/pd29998/Artin_5722_Electronic_2_Lane_Lap_Counter

Very inexpensive and very simple, from the looks of it. Brian even shows how to setup a 4-lane layout.

Hope that is what you are looking for because everything else I saw was to use the computer setups, etc.

Hope this helps!
PD2:thumbsup:

Thanks so much for taking the time. I cannot fit those pieces in a figure 8 configuration. What if anything can you tell me about the computer scoring operations is there a basic version of that for a track? I have no tracks nearby to ask anyone so here I am.
Thanks again.

Hi,
You can get a freebe version at:
http://www.gregorybraun.com/LapTimer.html
Greg

I will try this and as long as I can't set my track on fire setting it up we'll be ok. Do you or anyone you know have this system and is it worth the 120 dollars for hardware?

Peace
IC

Midlifer are you referring LapTimer 2000?

Yes laptimer 2000. I realize the software is free but the hardware where should I buy it.

Greg sells kits, or you could build the interface yourself. You got a PC set up for it?

I have a couple of older computers... I'm lying all my computers are old I'm hoping one will run the software. Is there a installation of hardware guide for knuckleheads like me who have not the slightest clue as to what the hell I'm doing. Thanks for walking me through this like a two year old that's about my speed right now with this stuff.
Peace
JC

I have taken advantage of this free program. I used the also free "dead track" for counting. My setup was rude and crude and a little miscalculated but it did work even with soumd effects that almost matched my little oval. For better lap timing I should have gone with the lighted system especially if race is close. Same program but using the light sensing diodes (for my best choice of terms).

Are there any diagrams of how to set these timers up to a track then to your computer? Free dead track what is that.Is that at all related to my dead brain cells...please do not answer that. Is there anyone in particular I could call that might be able to walk me through once I recieve the hardware? I so want to get this going.

Peace
JC

Hi JC,

If you open LapTimer2000's help file, there is a diagram in the wiring section. It will require you to solder a few bits together, but the effort is worth the reward.

Cheers

Richard

Not to hijack this guys thread, but is there a free program for drag racing? I had the trackmate software a few years back, but have since lost the sensors (still have the software...)

I use the lap timer setup on my hometrack as well, and love it.

Do these light sensor bridges work with laptimer 2000 and do those require you to soder things to the track

Hi,

They sure do - when you're wiring up your track, the switches are just that, a switch across your track. Think of standing and turning on and off a light in a room, while your wife/kids switch a light on in a different room. You can use light sensors or reed switches and they are wired the same:

http://routedtrack.hobby-site.com/images/construct3_reeds.jpg

You don't need to solder to the track, however if you use light sensors you'll need a hole in the track for light to get through - reed switches will need to be glued to the underside of the track.

HTH!

Richard

Hi,

They sure do - when you're wiring up your track, the switches are just that, a switch across your track. Think of standing and turning on and off a light in a room, while your wife/kids switch a light on in a different room. You can use light sensors or reed switches and they are wired the same:

http://routedtrack.hobby-site.com/images/construct3_reeds.jpg

You don't need to solder to the track, however if you use light sensors you'll need a hole in the track for light to get through - reed switches will need to be glued to the underside of the track.

HTH!

Richard
TO BE BLUNT THE WIRING DIAGRAM MAY AS WELL OF BEEN IN CHINESE TO ME. I DO NOT HAVE A FRIGGIN CLUE WHEN IN COMES TO THAT STUFF. I WAS HOPING THAT A LIGHT BRIDGE WOULD JUST SHOOT DOWN THE BEAM OVER THE LANE AND THERE WOULD BE A CABLE FROM THE LIGHT BRIDGE TO THE COMPUTER WITHOUT DRILLING HOLES AND WIRING THE TRACK...BUT ALAS NO SUCH ANIMAL. I WILL FIGURE OUT SOMETHING. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP IWILL GET IT GOING DAMMIT!!

If I'm not mistaken, there is a light bridge for Scalextric, SCX, and maybe one or two others that works with their 2 lane and 4 lane track sets. But I have yet to see one for Artin. The question or thing to find out would be is the spacing and track width the same on the Artin as say Scalextric, SCX, or one of the others that is available? Because if so, I would not see why you could not just use one of those and hook it up the pre-wired setup from there. You may want to check that out. Just a thought.


PD2:thumbsup:

http://homepage.mac.com/pmarchand/Artin_Counter_track_piece.htm

http://www.homeracingworld.com/ultimateracer.htm

I have a question. The photo cells timing system Greg Braun site it says they should be placed between the rail and the slot on Artin track there is no room for an 1/8inch hole there if I place it just to the outside of the rail will that hurt anything it looks like it will miss the tires on most cars.

I put the sensors just outside the rail on my track and it works fine.

Best regards,
Brian

Oh Wise Ones!

First a note . I bought my little track through Brian at BRS. Good cat as far as I am concerned,any questions and problems that I had he was and is very helpful and quick to respond. Now back to my situation I am understanding more and more as I read and talk to more folks. Is Carlson still in business making sensor tracks I've tried a couple of times to reach him to no avail? What in the end I am trying to do is build a portable track to take to my kids school and scout stuff. How do I set individual power for each lane and the rest of the process involved in doing the portable track thing. I know many of you have them or have done this in the past any and all advice is welcome. Finding someone near Tampa who wants to deal with 1/32 scale or help out is a bit difficult so far.

Peace
JC

TO BE BLUNT THE WIRING DIAGRAM MAY AS WELL OF BEEN IN CHINESE TO ME. I DO NOT HAVE A FRIGGIN CLUE WHEN IN COMES TO THAT STUFF. I WAS HOPING THAT A LIGHT BRIDGE WOULD JUST SHOOT DOWN THE BEAM OVER THE LANE AND THERE WOULD BE A CABLE FROM THE LIGHT BRIDGE TO THE COMPUTER WITHOUT DRILLING HOLES AND WIRING THE TRACK...BUT ALAS NO SUCH ANIMAL. I WILL FIGURE OUT SOMETHING. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP IWILL GET IT GOING DAMMIT!!

To build a light bridge with the type of sensors you want to use (NPN output photoelectric diffuse type) is a bit costly. I built my own, see pic links, and use the free lap timer 2000 software to count. Works flawlessly and can be put anywhere. I found some sensors for relatively cheap @ $24 at this site - m2sensors.com - part #M2PES-D18NOC30D. They work great and are adjustable. The ones I personally used are from Banner Engineering Part#T8AN6D100. They cost about $70 a piece. If you build your own light bridge, you can set the height and spacing to fit your track exactly.

Inside bridge view
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/jjbridw/P1030789.jpg

Interface box views
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/jjbridw/P1030759.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/jjbridw/P1030763.jpg

Final product views
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/jjbridw/P1030845.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/jjbridw/P1030847.jpg

Just discovered Mr. Carlson is taking a break from building sensor tracks. It's all going to come together I just know it. Impressive light bridge thanks for the pics and info.
JC

Here is someone (not me) selling an Artin 6 lane timing track, built by Carlson:

http://homeracingworld.yuku.com/topic/6101

Thanks
I will try to reach him tomorrow. Still looking for portable track guidance.

Peace
Jc]