FarmTek Polaris User manual

Farm T ek
Sport Timing Specialists
Polaris
Motor Sports Timer
Operating
Instructions
FarmTek, Inc.
1000 North Hwy 8, Suite D (9 2) 429-094
Wylie, TX 5098 (800) 55-6529

FCC and Industry Canada Information
This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital de-
vice, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protec-
tion against harmful interference when the equip-
ment is operated in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may
cause harmful interference to radio communica-
tions. However, there is no guarantee that inter-
ference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, the user is encour-
aged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures: (1) Reorient or
relocate the receiving antenna. (2) Increase the
separation between the equipment and the receiv-
er. (3) Consult the dealer or radio/TV technician
for help.
CAUTION: Changes made or modifications not
expressly approved by the party responsible for
FCC compliance of this equipment could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Industry Canada
Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio
transmitter may only operate using an antenna of
a type and maximum (or lesser) gain approved for
the transmitter by Industry Canada. To reduce
potential radio interference to other users, the an-
tenna type and its gain should be so chosen that
the equivalent isotropically radiated power
(e.i.r.p.) is not more than that necessary for suc-
cessful communications.
This radio transmitter (IC: 3845A-MI043) has
been approved by Industry Canada to operate with
the antenna types listed below with the maximum
permissible gain and required antenna impedance
for each antenna type indicated. Antenna types
not included in this list, having a gain greater than
the maximum gain indicated for that type, are
strictly prohibited for use with this device.
¼ wave whip, max gain 2 dBi, 50 ohm
This device complies with Industry Canada li-
cense-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is sub-
ject to the following two conditions: (1) this de-
vice may not cause interference, and (2) this de-
vice must accept any interference, including inter-
ference that may cause undesired operation of the
device.
d'Industrie Canada
Conformément à la réglementation d'Industrie
Canada, le présent émetteur radio peut fonctionner
avec une antenne d'un type et d'un gain maximal
(ou inférieur) approuvé pour l'émetteur par
Industrie Canada. Dans le but de réduire les
risques de brouillage radioélectrique à l'intention
des autres utilisateurs, il faut choisir le type
d'antenne et son gain de sorte que la puissance
isotrope rayonnée équivalente (p.i.r.e.) ne dépasse
pas l'intensité nécessaire à l'établissement d'une
communication satisfaisante.
Le présent émetteur radio (IC: 3845A-MI043) de
modèle s'il fait partie du matériel de catégorie I) a
été approuvé par Industrie Canada pour
fonctionner avec les types d'antenne énumérés ci-
dessous et ayant un gain admissible maximal et
l'impédance requise pour chaque type d'antenne.
Les types d'antenne non inclus dans cette liste, ou
dont le gain est supérieur au gain maximal
indiqué, sont strictement interdits pour
l'exploitation de l'émetteur.
¼ whip d'onde, le gain max 2 dBi, 50 ohm
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR
d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio
exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée
aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l'appareil ne
doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l'utilisateur
de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage
radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est
susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.

© FarmTek, Inc.
POLARIS TIMER CONSOLE
Overview
Batteries
The Polaris timer console is powered by four AA
alkaline batteries. The timer runs 50 to 60 hours on
a new set of batteries. Always turn the timer off
before changing the batteries and always replace all
four batteries at the same time – do not mix old and
new batteries.
To check the battery level, follow these steps:
1) Press SETUP to access setup functions.
2) Press NEXT CHOICE until Check Battery
is displayed (just one or two presses).
3) Press ENTER to show remaining battery life.
4) Press SETUP to return to normal operation.
Keep in mind that when the console is first turned on
after being off for a while (e.g., overnight), the re-
ported battery level is artificially high for the first
half-hour or so of use.
When storing the timer for an extended period of
time, always remove the batteries.
Low Battery Warning
A low battery icon is flashed in the upper right cor-
ner of the Status Display when about 2 hours of
console battery life are left. Note that the battery
icon is also displayed whenever an electric eye has
a low battery. Check the console’s battery level as
described to see whether the console or the electric
eyes are the reason the icon is flashing.
Power On/Off
Turn the Polaris timer on and off using the slide
switch located at the upper right corner of the timer
console.
Connections
The Input jack is for connection of input devices
such as an optional bar code reader or numeric key-
pad. Do not plug an AC adapter from an older model
timer into the Input jack on this timer – it can cause
serious damage!
The Output jack is for connection of output devices
such as an optional scoreboard, printer or computer
interface cable.
The Horn jack provides audio output of the horn
sound to a PA system and control of the optional
external horn.

© FarmTek, Inc.
WIRELESS ELECTRIC EYES
Overview
Batteries
The electric eyes operate over 70 hours from a 9 volt
alkaline battery (use only alkaline batteries). The
Power lamp on the unit glows steadily while the
battery is good and flashes when the battery is low.
To help detect an eye with a low battery, the timer in
the announcer’s booth flashes a low battery icon in
the upper right corner of its Status Display when
any electric eye in use has a low battery.
The electric eyes operate at least two hours after the
first indication of low battery. Note: The two hour
period is from the first time the low battery light
begins flashing. If a unit with a low battery is turned
off and then later turned back on, the lamp may
glow steadily for some time before it starts flashing
again. This does not mean there are two more hours
of operation remaining at this point.
Once the Power lamp begins flashing, it is simplest
to just replace the battery during the next break in
your event – don’t worry about trying to use the last
few hours of the battery.
When storing the electric eyes for an extended peri-
od of time, always remove the batteries.
Care
The electric eyes are not waterproof. If you plan to
run in the rain, slip a thin sandwich bag over each
electric eye. Snap a rubber band over the bag to
hold the bag in place and to keep it taught over the
face of the eye where the beam shoots through.
When you arrive home, remove wet equipment
from the carrying case, remove batteries and leave
the battery compartment cover off each unit. Allow
the equipment to dry out thoroughly in a heated or
air conditioned environment for several days.
Do not remove the antennas. Even though the an-
tenna can be removed, doing so can cause prob-
lems.
Electric Eye ID Codes
Each electric eye is permanently programmed with a
unique electronic identification code. The ID code is
transmitted whenever the electric eye beam is bro-
ken. For a set of wireless electric eyes to work with
a particular timer console, the timer console must
know the ID code of the electric eyes being used.
If your timer ever loses it settings, or you use a dif-
ferent set of electric eyes or a different timer console
than usual, you must have the timer console learn
the ID code of the electric eyes:
Learning a ew ID Code
1) Set up the electric eyes with about ten feet be-
tween each other and at least ten feet from the
timer console. Make sure no other electric eyes
are on or could accidentally transmit while pro-
gramming in the intended electric eye.
2) On the timer console, press the SETUP button to
access the timer Setup options.
3) Press NEXT CHOICE until you see the appro-
priate “Set ID” message for the eye you are pro-
gramming (e.g., Set Eye #1 ID, Set Eye #2
ID, etc.).
4) When you are ready to break the electric eye
beam, press ENTER. The timer will tell you to
“break the beam now”.
5) Walk through the selected electric eye beam. As
soon as the beam is broken, the timer momentari-
ly displays the ID code for the eye.
That’s it! Repeat the procedure for other eyes as
needed.

© FarmTek, Inc.
Preparation for Use SPRINT/GENERAL (1)
The Sprint/General event can be used to time a wide variety of events. The most common is to time from Point
“A” to Point “B”. These instructions follow. The timer can also be configured to operate in a number of differ-
ent ways depending on your requirements. See Sprint/General (2) and (3) for more information.
1) Attach each electric eye to a tripod. Place Trans-
mitter/Receiver pairs facing each other to form
start/stop lines between the eyes. Adjust the tripod
height to ensure the beam is broken by the body
of the horse or vehicle.
2) Turn the electric eyes ON. The power indicator
lamp on each unit should glow steadily. If the in-
dicator is blinking, the battery is low and should
be replaced.
3) Align the electric eyes. The opposing electric eye
should be directly in-line when sighting down ei-
ther line on top of the electric eye (left to right
alignment), and when sighting down the crack on
the side of the eye (up and down alignment).
4) Turn on the timer console in the announcer's
booth. The power switch is located at the upper
right corner of the timer.
5) Walk through each electric eye beam to force the
eyes to send a message to the timer console. This
makes the timer console update its electric eye
alignment indicators (see below).
Checking Eye Alignment
The bottom right corner of the Status display shows
the alignment status of the electric eyes. When the
eyes are aligned, its number is displayed (1 or 2). If
not aligned, or if the beam is broken, “x” is shown.
Alignment Display Shows
Eyes aligned Eye #
1 2
Eye #2 not aligned
(or beam broken) Eye #
1 X
Important! When setting up the electric eyes, always take time to align the eyes as outlined above – even if the
timer indicates the eyes are aligned. This ensures a strong alignment instead of a possibly marginal alignment.

© FarmTek, Inc.
Timer Operation SPRINT/GENERAL (2)
1) When the electric eye beam across the start line is
broken, the timer automatically begins timing
from zero – there is no need to reset the timer.
2) When the electric eye beam across the finish line
is broken, the timer stops timing and shows the
final time. The timer is ready for the next run!
Useful Features
Manual Start/Stop
The START/STOP button starts and stops the timer
just as if the electric eye beam had been broken.
Accidental Beam Break
If the timer stops accidentally stops during the middle
of a run, the driver can still be accurately timed.
Pressing the RESTART button resumes timing as if
the timer had never been stopped. As long as
RESTART is pressed before the run is completed, the
time is not lost. (Note: The Polaris timer console
beeps whenever the beam is broken to alert you if the
timer happens to stop during the middle of a run.)
Locking Out The Electric Eyes
Some events require the driver to pass through the
beams several times during a run. For these events,
the eyes can be disabled during the run, then re-
enabled before the driver completes the run. To dis-
able the electric eyes, press the EYES OFF button.
" Off " is flashed over the electric eye alignment
display while the eyes are off. To re-enable the elec-
tric eyes, press the EYES ON button.
Previous Time Recall
Use the PREV and NEXT keys to scan back and
forth through previous times. The previous time
display is removed after about ten seconds, or by
pressing any other key. You may view a previous
time even while the timer is running.
Additional Eye Usage Options
In addition to starting the timer with Eye #1 and
stopping the timer with Eye #2, the timer provides
several other electric eye combinations as shown to
the right.
To select a different electric eye combination:
1) Press SETUP to access Setup options.
2) Press NEXT CHOICE once so Set Eye Usage
is displayed, then press ENTER.
3) Press NEXT CHOICE to scan through the availa-
ble eye combinations as shown to the right. Press
ENTER when the desired eye combination is dis-
played.
Note: An asterisk (*) is displayed next to the
currently active eye combination.
Timer Display Timer Action
Start #1, Stop #2Start with Eye #1, Stop
with Eye #2
Start #2, Stop #1Start with Eye #2, Stop
with Eye #1
Strt1/2 Stop2/1 Start with either eye, stop
with the opposite eye
Any Start/Stop Start with either eye, stop
with either eye
Breakout T mer Time difference between
steer and rider for roping.
Speed Gate Speed between Eye #1
and Eye #2
W nn ng Lane Start with either eye, stop
with the opposite eye,
indicate which eye started
the timer (winning lane)

© FarmTek, Inc.
Split Times SPRINT/GENERAL (3)
In addition to the various combinations of Eye #1 and
Eye #2 for starting and stopping the timer detailed on
the previous page, the timer can also work with up to
two more eyes for providing split times. As split
times occur, they are displayed on the bottom display
while the main time display continues to run. If a
scoreboard is connected, the split time is displayed
for an interval you can specify before the display
returns to showing the running time.
The split-time eyes are designated Eye #3 and Eye
#4. Options for controlling split time functions are in
the Split Times menu. To access the Split Times
menu, follow these steps:
1) Press SETUP to access Setup options.
2) Press PREV CHOICE until Spl t T mes is
displayed, then press ENTER.
You can then scroll through the Split Times options
by pressing the NEXT CHOICE key:
Timer Display Function
Set Eye #3 ID Program Eye #3 into
timer
Set Eye #4 ID Program Eye #4 into
timer
Pr nt T mes ON/OFF Controls whether split
times are printed on the
printer
Save T mes ON/OFF Controls whether split
times are saved in
memory
1 or 1+ Spl ts/Eye Allow just one or allow
multiple splits per eye
per run
Hold for 1/3/5/10s Choose the amount of
time a split time is dis-
played on the scoreboard
Advanced Features
Speed Gate (Speed Trap)
The “Speed Gate” option in the Eye Usage menu (see
previous page) can be used to display speed through a
speed trap. For best accuracy, the length of the trap
should be chosen based on the top speed expected
through the gate. Contact us for help in configuring
the timer for speed gate operation.
Multiple Eyes at Start and Finish
An optional 3
rd
or 4
th
set of electric eyes can be used
to provide two eyes at the start and/or finish lines.
This allows the timer to start with eye #1 or #3, and
to stop with eye #2 or #4 (for example).

© FarmTek, Inc.
Preparation for Use LAP TIMING (1)
1) Attach each electric eye to a quick-mount. Place
the eyes on opposite sides of the track to form a
start/stop line between them.
2) Turn the electric eyes ON. The power indicator
lamp on each unit should glow steadily. If the
lamp blinks, the low battery should be replaced.
3) Align the electric eyes. The electric eye on the
opposite side of the arena should be directly in-
line when sighting down either line on top of the
electric eye (left to right alignment), and when
sighting down the crack on the side of the eye (up
and down alignment).
4) Turn on the timer console in the announcer's
booth. The power switch is located at the upper
right corner of the timer.
5) The current event is shown on the Status display
on the timer console. If LAP TIMING is not dis-
played, select the Lap Timing event as follows:
a) Press SETUP to access setup functions.
b) Press ENTER to select a new event.
c) Press NEXT CHOICE until Lap T m ng is
displayed.
d) Press ENTER to select Lap Timing
6) Walk through the electric eye beam to force the
eyes to send a message to the timer console. This
makes the timer console update its electric eye
alignment indicator (see the next page).
Entering a Track Length
The timer can compute lap speed as well as lap time.
To compute speed, a track length must be entered.
Once the track length is entered, it is permanently
saved in the timer. You do not need to re-enter the
track length each time you use the timer, unless a
different track length is desired.
To set the track length follow these steps:
1) With the timer stopped, press the SETUP button
to access the timer's setup features.
2) Press NEXT CHOICE until the display shows
Press ENTER for Track Length.
3) Press ENTER to display the current track length.
4) If the displayed track length is OK, press the
ENTER button to keep the same value. Other-
wise, key in a new track length followed by the
ENTER key. (To correct a mistake, press and
hold down the CLEAR TIME button until the
track length value is cleared to zero).
Typical Track Se up

© FarmTek, Inc.
Checking Eye Alignment LAP TIMING (2)
The bottom right corner of the Status display shows
the alignment status of the electric eyes. When the
eyes are aligned, the eye number is displayed (“#1”).
If not aligned, or if the beam is broken, “x” is shown.
Alignment Display Shows
Eyes aligned Eye #
1
Not aligned (or
beam broken) Eye #
X
Important! When setting up the electric eyes, always take time to align the eyes as outlined above – even if the
timer indicates the eyes are aligned. This ensures a strong alignment instead of a possibly marginal alignment.
Timer Operation
1) Make sure the timer is stopped before the driver
starts his laps (press the START/STOP button to
stop the timer, if needed).
2) When the car breaks the beam at the start of the
first lap, the timer automatically begins timing
from zero.
3) As the car breaks the beam after each lap, the bot-
tom display shows the lap number, lap time, and
lap speed (if a track length has been entered).
Meanwhile, the main time display shows the run-
ning time of the new lap.
4) After the driver has completed all laps, press the
START/STOP button to stop timing of the current
driver. The timer is now ready for the next car.
By the way...
If the optional printer is connected, the lap time, lap
number and lap speed are printed after each lap.
If an optional scoreboard is connected, it shows the
running time as the lap is timed. When a lap is com-
pleted, the lap time remains on the display for about
five seconds, after which, it returns to showing the
running time of the new lap. (The amount of time the
previous lap remains displayed can be changed. Con-
tact FarmTek for assistance).
To avoid false triggers, the beam is ignored for about
two seconds after it is broken to allow dust and debris
to settle.
Useful Features
Accidental Manual Stop
If the timer is inadvertently stopped by pressing the
START/STOP button, the lap can still be accurately
timed by pressing the RESTART button. This re-
sumes timing as if the timer had never been stopped.
As long as RESTART is pressed before the lap is
completed, the time is not lost.
Locking Out The Electric Eyes
If the beam will be broken during a lap by other vehi-
cles, the timer can be forced to temporarily ignore the
electric eyes. To disable the electric eyes, press the
EYES OFF button. Off is flashed on the bottom
display while the eyes are off. To re-enable the elec-
tric eyes, press the EYES ON button.
Note: If other cars or personnel on the track during
lap timing is typical, then the timer can be set to au-
tomatically turn the eyes off after any beam break.
This way, the eyes remain disabled the majority of
the time – the timer operator re-enables the eyes by
pressing the EYES ON button only when the desired
car comes near the beam. Contact FarmTek for more
information.
Previous Time Recall
Use the PREV and NEXT keys to scan back and
forth through previous times. The previous time dis-
play is removed after about ten seconds, or by press-
ing any other key. You may view a previous time
even while the timer is running.

FarmTek, Inc.
1000 N Hwy 8, Ste D
Wylie, TX 5098
(9 2) 429-094
(800) 55-6529
On the web at http://farmtek.net
E-Mail: [e-mail]
©FarmTek, Inc.