Alfano M4 User manual

1
M4 / M4GPS
A1003 + A1011 / A1003 + A1012
Complete Manual (EN)
This manual is adapted to Firmware V1.12

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M4 / M4GP
Introduction 3
Installation 3
Power supply 4
Batteries 4
Switc ON / Switc OFF 5
Welcome page 5
Navigation and modifications in t e menus / options 6
Setup Menu 6
Power off 7
Bluetooth 7
Track 7
et up Hour/Date 7
Driver 8
LED 8
Display 8
Update the connected sensors 8
BOX, check sensors connected 9
GP check (only for pack M4GP ) 10
Running time meters 10
Peak 10
RPM 11
peed, peed by transmission (only for M4) 11
Graphic settings 11
Frequency of sampling 11
Unit 12
Language 12
Parameters by default 12
GP « ON/OF F » (only for pack M4GP ) 12
Update 13
Management of Tracks 13
Create a Track 14
A) Magnetic Track / Infrared 14
B) GP Track 15
C) Magnetic + GP Track 17
Import tracks from anot er M4/M4GPS, via Bluetoot 19
To start a timing session 20
DATA 20
elect the track to be analyzed 20
Best 21
Data 21
RPM section 22
Graphic analysis 23
Theoretical Times 23
Data erasing 23
Meter of running time 24
Bluetoot and racing display 24
Data download 27
Firmware Update 27
Various 28
Memory 28
GPS 28
GP signal 28
Number of satellites 28
Date & hour 28
Warranty conditions 29
Products Modifications 29
Damages and responsabilities 29
Disposal 29

3
Introduction
The pack M4 contains a display model ADM (medium) and a box ABX4.
The pack M4GP has the same display but a box ABX4GP , this box is integrated with a GP
module that obtains the speed, track mapping and GP timing.
These boxes have 4 connectors :
1) Timing : magnetic/infrared green connector
2) Temperature (T1) / Lambda red connector
3) RPM (HighandLow tension PRW) yellow connector
4) BU (to connect the display) black connector
The pack M4/M4GP is delivered with a magnetic sensor ref.A1301, a RPM engine sensor
ref.A1601, a BU cable ref.A3101 allowing the connection between the box and its display,
box support fittings, the batteries and an U B Bluetooth adapter for the download of your
data and system firmware update.
The transfer of data to the computer is made via the integrated Bluetooth module.
Installation
CORRECT
The BOX must be fixed below the Nassau
panel like this drawing
NOT CORRECT
The BOX cannot be installed on the floor!
Important information
- Insert the male connector all the way before tightening the nut.
- Use a sparkplug or an anti-interference sparkplug boot equipped with a 5 Ohms
minimum resistance for an optimal system performance.
- The installation is finished; re-start the system so it can recognize the connected sensors.
- Use a Torx X20 screwdriver to tighten the battery cap.

4
Power supply
The M4/M4GP is equipped with 2 batteries AA 1,5V type. On the welcome page, you can
check the batteries’ life. When the power becomes too weak, a message appears.
When this message displays, M4/M4GP
goes automatically off after 10 seconds.
Remark :
Always check the batteries’ life before beginning a long session. The consumption and speed
of discharge depend on the quality and type of batteries, that’s why it is strongly
recommended to always check the batteries’ life icon on the welcome page. The GP
module of the M4GP , the intensity of the backlight and the LED brightness intensity
decrease the life of batteries.
Note: t e GPS module requires +/- 40% of t e system’s total energy to
function.
Batteries
The technology applied to our new systems requires larger battery consumption;battery
quality is crucial ! There are 3 major types of AA batteries on the market.
Salines :
Salines are rarely used, t ey only ave about a t ird of t e energy of Alkaline batteries.
Alkalines :
Alkaline batteries are t e best option.
Rec argeable:
Very good option, but t e qualities from a brand to anot er are important. A bad brand
loses its energy even wit no use at about 1% a day. Furt ermore, t ese batteries ave a
memory effect, if you rec arge a battery w ic is alf full w ile in use, you will not be able
to use more t an alf of t e stored energy, and t e ot er alf will be lost. T ere are very
good rec argeable batteries t at even wit no use only losses 12% during a w ole year
and t ey don’t ave a memory effect, you can t us use all t e energy, t ese batteries were
used in our new systems wit complete success.
Recommended examples of brands : SANYO Enellope XX and t e UNIROSS Hydro, t ey are
more expensive but will give a lot of satisfaction; you can rec arge t em minimum 500
times. T ey are used in Professional p otograp y.

5
witch ON / witch OFF
To power on the M4/M4GP , briefly press the lower-right button. Press the same button for
2 seconds if you want to start the M4/M4GP with the backlight.
To power off theM4/M4GP , hold the lower-right button for two seconds while in the
welcome page.
Welcome page
Once powered on, the M4/M4GP displays a welcome page with several icons. This window
is the main display of the M4/M4GP . It is from this window that you can activate
Bluetooth, select race mode display and access all the menus for the customization and the
visualization of the recorded data.
If a temperature sensor is connected to the
M4/M4GP , the screen will automatically
show the temperature T1 after 10 seconds
of inactivity in the welcome page. A brief
pressure on one of the 4 buttons allows you
to return to the welcome page.
DATA menu
(Button 1)
Bluetooth
Activated
Memory
space
Battery life
ETUP menu
(Button 3) Back light active
Bluetooth activation
+ racing display menu
(Button 4)
Engine Meter Menu
(Button 2)

6
Navigation and modifications in the menus / options
The most used icons in the display M4/M4GP
-Left buttons and arrows towards the left and right allows navigation from a menu to
another.
-Left buttons and arrows upward and downward allows navigation from one option to
another, to modify numerical and alphabetical values, and in some menus, holding
the button down allows for faster scrolling.
-The “OK” button confirms a selection, and directs you to the next menu option.
-The lower-right button allows you to return to the previous menu option.
etup Menu
The“ etup” menu allows for configuration of your M4/M4GP .
Remark : the icons « GP check » and « GP ON/OFF » only appear on M4GP

7
Power off
Allows to switch off the M4/M4GP
Press «OK»
Bluetooth
Displays the Bluetooth parameters
The name (example: ALFANO-1133), the Pin
code/Windows access key (example : 5689)
and a personalcode that can be modified to
protect your data upon connection.
Note : theName and Pin cannot modified,
they are unique for every device.
Track
Track
( ee chapter « Management of Tracks »)
et up Hour/Date
Allows to set :
The date, the hour, the time zone (M4GP )
and the format of these.
For the M4GP , the date and the hour are
given by satellites in GMT; good signal from
satellites is required. (GP may not work
inside closed buildings)

8
Driver
Create up to 3 driver names. The chosen
driver will be associated with the timing
session.
To choose driver
elect the driver with left arrows, then
press «OK».
To modify the name
elect the name you want to modify and
press «OK» for 3 seconds, then use left
arrows and « OK » to edit the new name.
LED
Choose when you want the LEDs to turn on:
Use the left arrows to modify the values
RPM / LAMBDA
3 groups of 3 LEDs above are dedicated to
them
TEMPERATURE (T1)
2 LEDs, one to the left and one to the right,
are dedicated to it
Display
Configure:
-The contrast of the screen
-The LEDs brightness
-The time of automatic extinction
-The activation and brightness of the
backlight.
Update the connected sensors
IMPORTANT
M4 and M4GP updates the sensors
connected on every port.
This menu updates the sensors without
switching off the device.

9
Press «OK» : once updated, «OK» is
displayed.
Note : During any modification of sensors
connected to the box, whether it is new,
replacement, or a disconnection, it is
necessary to proceed to an update.
M4GP M4 BOX, sensor functionality check
Allows you to check the connected sensors
one by one, to make sure they are
functioning correctly. Use left arrows to
navigate from one sensor to the other.
Type of sensor and ALFANO part number
are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
a) To test the magnetic sensor : cross a
magnet near the sensor; «OK» must
be displayed.
b) Temperature : Warm the sensor; the
temperature must rise.
c) RPM : tart the engine, a value
displays,
d) adjust the coefficient of
multiplication to match the type of
engine(ex : two stroke or four
stroke)

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GP check (only for pack M4GP )
Allows you to visualize:
- The intensity of the satellite signals
- The GP coordinates
- The GP date and hour
- The altitude in meters
Running time meters
Two available meters, the first one
accumulates the total time; the second
accumulates the total distance.
The latter is not visible on M4.
Press « OK » for one second to reset the
selected meter.
Peak
Peak allows you modify the amount of time
certain information will be displayed on the
screen at the end of each lap.
The Peak «Lap Time» allowsthe
accomplished time of the previous lap to be
fixed on the screen
etting :
- Lap time : from 1 to 60 sec. or fixed.
- RPM : from 0 to 60 sec.
- peed : from 0 to 60 sec.
- Temperature T1 : from 0 to 60 sec.
Note : the value 0 = Peak not active

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RPM
This menu is a direct access allowing
configuring the RPM.
Note : This menu is identical to the one that
is in the menu BOX
peed. (M4GP GP must be « OFF »)
peed by transmission.
This option allows to obtain the speed by
the calculation of the rotation speed of the
engine (RPM) divided by the coefficient of
the transmission.
Note : This method is useful on vehicles for
direct transmission without gearbox.
Graphic setting
Allows to modify the range of the bars-
graphs from 0.5 seconds till 10 seconds to
analyze the data in the menu DATA.
Frequency of sampling
Allows to select the frequency of data
recording:
- 10 hertz ->every 100 ms
- 5 hertz ->every 200 ms
- 2 hertz ->every 500 ms
- 0 hertz ->only lap times and partial times
(adapted for long-distance races)
Note : Observe the remaining duration and
the available total time; these will depend
on the chosen frequency.

12
Unit
Allows to select the units :
Imperial (Mph) or Metric (Km/h)
For the speed and the distance
Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).
For the temperature
Language
Language selection.
Parameters by default
Restores the factory parameters.
Press 3 seconds on «OK» to launch the
procedure.
ATTENTION
This procedure also erases the tracks and
data recorded.
GP « ON/OFF »
Allows the deactivation of the GP module.
If in certain circumstances, the GP is not
necessary, you can deactivate it to save
batteries.
Press « OK » on icon « GP OFF », the
device starts without activating the GP
module.

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Press « OK »on icon« GP ON », the device
starts with GP module activated.
Note : T e GPS module requires around 40
% of t e system total energy to function.
Update
Activates and displays the Bluetooth
parameters to make a FIRMWARE update
using a Windows computer provided with
Bluetooth peripheral.
ATTENTION: some computers have some
difficulty with Bluetooth connection, in this
case, it's better to use the U B-Bluetooth
adapter supplied with the system.
(Details on chapter « Update »).
Track Management
« Choose »
Allows you to select an existing track from
the menu.
« New »
Allows creation of a new track (detailed
below).
« Modify Name »
Allows you to modify the name of an
existing track.
« Delete »
Allows deletion of an existing track.
« end »
Allows you to send an existing track via
Bluetooth to another M4/M4GP .
« Receive »
Allows you to receive, via Bluetooth, a track
from another M4/M4GP .

14
Creating a Track
Important: for proper visualization and data recording it is necessary, before using the
device in a race, to configure the track layout. The track layout will be saved with a name of
your choice for future use.
A) Creation of a track wit magnetic strip or infrared transmitter
Trackname
Press «OK» to edit the name of the new
track (maximum 11 characters), you can use
26 letters of the alphabet, figures and
spaces.
Timing type
In the menu « CHRONO » choose the type
of sensor used for timing.
- Magnetic
- Infrared
- GP
- Magnetic + GP
Number of partials
In the menu « NUMBER », indicate the
number of magnetic strips or infrared
transmitters installed on the track.
You are limited to 3.
tarting point
If the track possesses more than 1 magnetic
strip or more than 1 infrared transmitter.
In the menu « TART », select the magnetic
strip or the infrared transmitter where you
would like timing to commence.
Obscurity

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« OB CURITY »
This option was created to avoid the risk of
recording false lap times.
elect how many seconds you would like
the M4/M4GP to “ignore” signals from
extra magnetic strip(s) or infrared
transmitters (beacons) after having
received the impulse from the start/end
magnetic strip/infrared transmitter
(beacon).
This time, consequently, has to be less than
the time it takes to complete a full lap, so it
doesn’t ignore your start/end magnetic
strip/infrared transmitter (beacon) point as
well.
Then, confirm with « OK » to enclose and
record the track in your database.
B) Createa track wit GPS (only wit M4GPS)
IMPORTANT : For the option of magnetic + GP or only GP , it’s necessary to go out on track
and record the GP coordinates for configuration of the track layout.
How to create a track using GP :
After editing the name,
In the menu « CHRONO », select : « GP »,
Then, select « Rec. Position GP »,
Then, press on « OK » to prepare the device
for the recording of the GP coordinates.
In case of the absence of the GP signal, the
information « Wait for GP ignal » displays
in the screen. In this case, go back to the
homepage and wait to receive the GP
signal. The number of satellites has to be at
least 6, then, redo the programming.
How to record the GP positions on the track:

16
Run at more than 20Km/hour.
TARTING point
Press «OK» at the moment wished to
record the GP point of departure. The
figure 1 replaces the figure 0.
PARTIAL
Possibility of recording the GP coordinates
of 2 points to create up to 3 splits by
pressing the button « OK ». In every
recorded position, the figure increases.
END
Once the number 3 appears, you have set
your starting point and 2 points for partials.
Just drive until your lap ends, the M4GP
automatically recognizes the departure line;
the device ends the programming, saves the
track in its database and immediately starts
a session with race display.
C) Creation of a track wit magnetic strip + GPS (Only wit M4GPS)

17
Note:
The combination magnetic strip + GP are possible if the track possesses one or two
magnetic strip(s) because the GP , in this case, will be useful only to fill the number of
missing partial(s). Example : if the track possesses 1 magnetic strip, the system can add 2
GP positions to obtain a total of 3 partials in the lap.
The magnetic strip will be the only reference for starting up the device and by consequence
the lap timing.
IMPORTANT : For the option of magnetic + GP or only GP , it’s necessary to go out on track
and record the GP coordinates for configuration of the track layout.
Procedure to create a track MAG + GP :
After editing the name,
In the menu « CHRONO », select MAG+GP .
In the menu « NUMBER », configure the
number of magnetic strips installed on the
track.
In the menu « TART », configure the
magnetic strip which will serve to start the
device.
In the menu « OB CURITY », configure the
obscurity time (explained above).
Then, press the button corresponding to
the lower-left arrow, « Rec. Position GP »
appears as selected.
Then, press on «OK» to prepare the device
for the recording of the GP positions on
the track.
In case of the absence of the GP signal, the
information « Wait for GP ignal » displays
on the screen. In that case, go back to the
welcome page and wait for the reception of
a GP signal. The number of satellites has
to be at least 6, then, redo the
programming.
Procedure to record magnetic strips and to record GP positions on the track

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Run at more than 20Km/hour.
TARTING point
The recording starts in presence of the
magnetic strip of departure. The figure 1
replaces the figure 0.
PARTIAL
Two cases are possible :
First case : the track possesses 1 magnetic
strip; in this case, it is possible to get 2 GP
positions. In every recorded position, the
figure increases.
econd case : the track possesses 2
magnetic strips; in this case, it is possible to
get a single GP position.
END
When the lap ends, the M4GP
automatically recognizes the departure line;
the device ends the programming, saves it
in its database and immediately starts a
session with race display.
IMPORTANT : in case the track possesses a
single magnetic strip, you are not obliged to
get 2 GP points; in this case, the track will
only have 2partials.
IMPORTANT : if the lap ends without having
acquired GP positions, the system does
not enclose the configuration of the track.
In this case, continue to run and redo a lap
of the track to program at least one GP
position.

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Import tracks from another M4/M4GP , via Bluetooth
Procedure :
Device 1 receives the track, Device 2 sends the track
Device 1 : select « Receive » in the
menu« tracks ». The device is waiting for
connection.
Device 2 : select « end » in the menu
« tracks ». The device is in search for
peripheral.
Device 2 found several M4/M4GP and asks
for a specific connection with the « Device
1» called ALFANO-2055.
Device 1 accepts the connection with
« Device 2 ».
Device 2 chooses the track among those
recorded in its memory and confirms with
«OK».
Device 1 accepts the sent track.

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Device 1 indicates : uccessful Transfer.
Note : tracks transferred between devices
by Bluetooth become identified by a small
icon
To start a timing session
Confirm the track shown in the welcome page. If wrong, select the adequate track in the
menu « tracks », then return to the welcome page and run on the track, the device
automatically starts a session from the detection of its starting point.
DATA
elect the track to be analyzed
Note :
The recorded data is listed by track for a logical coherence of analysis.
First select the track to be analyzed.
Tracks are displayed on a list with the date
of the last session recorded.
« ACTIVE » is the track selected by default.
Best