Nexus RACE BOX User manual

Installation and Operation Manual
RACE BOX
English

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Edition: Mar 2012
This manual is written for Nexus RaceBox 1.00

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1!Part specification ................................................................................................... 5!
2!Overview ................................................................................................................. 6!
2.1!Calculated Data..................................................................................................................7!
3!Installation .............................................................................................................. 8!
3.1!Mounting............................................................................................................................. 8!
3.2!Serial / FDX Cable..............................................................................................................9!
3.3!Pushbutton .........................................................................................................................9!
3.4!Buzzer ................................................................................................................................9!
3.5!Software Configuration..................................................................................................... 10!
3.6!Polar File ..........................................................................................................................10!
3.7!Configuration File .............................................................................................................11!
3.8!Startup.............................................................................................................................. 11!
3.9!Shutdown .........................................................................................................................12!
4!Race Box Features and Their Use ...................................................................... 12!
4.1!Data Logging .................................................................................................................... 12!
4.2!NXB Log........................................................................................................................... 13!
4.3!CSV Log........................................................................................................................... 13!
4.4!Target & Polar Boat Speed ..............................................................................................14!
4.4.1!Polar File ....................................................................................................15!
4.4.2!Choosing Whether TBS or PBS is Sent to the Nexus Network..................15!
4.4.3!Displaying TBS and PBS in Other Fields...................................................16!
4.5!Set Steer Memory ............................................................................................................ 17!
4.6!Man Overboard (MOB)..................................................................................................... 17!
4.7!Start Line Tactical Assistance ..........................................................................................17!
4.8!In Sequence Data vs Out Of Sequence Data ..................................................................18!
4.9!Configuring which data is sent to which fields..................................................................18!
4.10!Using the Race Box timer...............................................................................................20!
4.10.1!Starting the timer......................................................................................20!
4.10.2!Syncing the timer .....................................................................................20!
5!Interpreting the data. What does it all mean?.................................................... 22!
5.1!How does the Race Box choose its target? ..................................................................... 22!
5.2!How does the Race Box choose the path to the target?.................................................. 23!
5.3!Distance and time to line calculations .............................................................................. 23!
5.4!Perpendicular Mode .........................................................................................................24!
5.4.1!Starting examples ......................................................................................24!
5.4.2!Reach in, reach out start ............................................................................24!
5.4.3!The Vanderbilt start....................................................................................24!
5.4.4!Other starting strategies.............................................................................25!
5.4.5!Connecting a GPS Receiver ......................................................................25!
5.5!Other Configuration Options.............................................................................................26!
5.5.1!Bow Location and Boat Length ..................................................................26!
5.5.2!Position Data Source .................................................................................26!
5.6!Status Lights..................................................................................................................... 27!
5.7!Data Damping ..................................................................................................................27!
5.8!Error Conditions ...............................................................................................................28!
6!AVAILABLE DATA FIELDS .................................................................................. 28!
6.1.1!BIAS – Starting line bias ............................................................................28!
6.1.2!PBS - Polar Boat Speed.............................................................................28!
6.1.3!TBS - Target Boat Speed...........................................................................29!
6.1.4!TTL - Time to start line in seconds.............................................................29!
6.1.5!TTB - Time to Burn.....................................................................................29!

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6.1.6!MTL - Meters to start line........................................................................... 29!
6.1.7!FTL - Feet to start line ............................................................................... 29!
6.1.8!BL - Boat Lengths to start line ................................................................... 29!
6.1.9!OPT_A - The optimum apparent wind angle ............................................. 30!
6.1.10!OPT_T – The optimum true wind angle .................................................. 30!
7!Specifications .......................................................................................................39!
7.1!Technical specifications Compss Instrument................................................................... 39!
8!Warranty ................................................................................................................39!

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1 Part specification
___________________________________________________________
Items delivered with the Race Box
Qty Description
1 The Race Box
1 push button
1 buzzer
1 DB9 male to DB9 female serial cable
1 power cable
1 SD memory card
4 Mounting screws
1 This manual
Registering this product
Once you have checked that you have all the listed parts, please take time to fill in the
warranty document and return it to your national distributor.
By returning the warranty card, it will assist your distributor to give you prompt and
expert attention. Keep your proof of purchase. Your details will also be added to our
customer database so that you automatically receive new product catalogues when
they are released.
Warranty conditions see 8.

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2 Overview
Thank you for purchasing the Nexus Race Box!
The Nexus Race Box is a great addition to any Nexus instrument system with an FDX
server. Our Race Box can calculate both polar and target boat speed (PBS & TBS), log
your instrument data in both Nexus native binary NXB format and comma separated
values (CSV) format and assist your tactician in making the best start possible. From
time to time, firmware upgrades will be released for the Race Box, and these can easily
be installed. Instructions for upgrading the firmware will be provided with each update.
Information generated by the Race Box is sent to Nexus instruments in accordance with
the Race Box configuration. This will be discussed in detail later in this manual, but in
general, you can send Race Box data to any NX2 or NXR instruments. This includes
the NX2 Multi, the Multi XL, the NXR Multi and the larger NXR instruments.
The Race Box is powered by 12 volts DC, just as the Nexus server is. A standard, DB9
male to DB9 female straight through serial cable connects the Race Box to the Server
data port.
To get the most out of your Race Box, you'll want to have a Nexus buzzer installed on
your FDX server and a Nexus push button connected to the Race Box. The Race Box
will provide the SET STEER and MOB functions you're used to, so you won't need an
additional button. In fact, with the Race Box, all these functions and more are controlled
with a single button. You can reuse the button that is currently connected to your server
if you have one.
The Race Box requires that a standard SD memory card be installed. This card will
have your polar table and your configuration file, both of which are read when the Race
Box starts up. Your log files will also be stored on this card. After your racing, you can
easily remove the card and use any computer with an SD card reader to review your
data.
The Race Box has four, full duplex RS-422 connections for communication with NMEA
0183 and other devices. Future firmware updates will allow the connection of some
peripherals to these connectors. In the initial release, you can connect a NMEA 0183
GPS receiver to the Race Box. The Race Box will accept the RMC sentence up to 5
times per second, for high speed position, COG and COG updates.
The Race Box also has three colored lights which can be seen through the translucent
case. These lights, referred to as the “status lights” or “status LEDs,” will be explained
in detail later in this manual.
Finally, the Race Box has connections for MOB, SET STEER and a buzzer. These are
for future use and currently are left unconnected.
How does it do all that?

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Fundamentally, all the Race Box does is accept data from the Nexus server, do some
processing on it and then sends the results to the Nexus server to be published on the
Nexus network. For the most part, this data is just displayed to the crew. In Classic and
NX2 series instruments, three special data fields exist which can hold calculated data.
These are TBS, CAD and CFD. TBS is a special field, and it is used only for speed
targets (more on this later). The NXR series supports these and ten additional fields,
referred to as CUSTOM0 through CUSTOM9. With the Race Box, the crew can
configure what information gets sent to each of these fields, within certain limitations.
For example, if the Race Box is calculating “time to line (TTL),” we have to tell it which
field to display this information in. If we have only NX2 instruments, then the choices
are CAD and CFD. With the NXR, we have ten additional choices.
So the primary method of giving the crew data while sailing is simply displaying the data
on the instruments. There are logs kept which can be viewed after you're done sailing.
The status lights also offer some information.
Once connected, data is received into the Race Box from the Nexus server. This is
done automatically. Also, there is a button that is used to control the Race Box and also
the Nexus server. This is used to tell the Race Box where the starting line begins and
ends, as well as to control some other features.
Like any computer, the not-so-old saying applies: Garbage in, garbage out. To get the
best information from the Race Box requires that your Nexus system be well calibrated
and that the crew understand how it works and what the numbers it is presenting mean.
This manual will explain all that for you and, if you have questions, you can contact
Nexus support.
2.1 Calculated Data
For a list of data fields that the Race Box can calculate, please refer to Appendix 'A'.

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3 Installation
• The installation includes 5 major steps:
1. Read the installation and operation manual.
2. Plan where to install the RaceBox.
3. Run the cables.
4. Install the RaceBox.
5. Learn the functions and setting up your system.
Before you begin drilling ... think about how you can make the installation as neat
and simple as your boat will allow. Plan where to position the transducer and
instrument. Think about leaving space for additional instruments in the future.
•A few ”do nots” you should consider:
−Do not cut the cables too short. Allow extra cable length at the RaceBox so
it can be disconnected for inspection without having to disconnect all
attached cables.
−Do not run cables in the bilge, where water can appear.
−Do not run cables close to fluorescent light sources, engine or radio
transmitting equipment to avoid electrical disturbances.
−Do not rush, take your time. A neat installation is easy to accomplish.
• The following material is needed:
Wire cutters and strippers.
Small and large Philips and a small flat head screw driver.
Hole saw to cut a hole for the instrument back of 63 mm (2½").
2.8mm drill for the RaceBox mounting screws
Plastic cable ties
If you are doubtful about the installation, obtain the services of an experienced
technician.
Installation
3.1 Mounting
First, find a suitable mounting location for the Race Box. Any location suitable for the
Nexus Server should serve equally well for the Race Box. You will notice that, just like
the Nexus server, the Race Box only has openings on one side. Also like the server, the
Race Box should be mounted so that it's bottom is against a vertical surface and the
side with the wire openings is oriented downward. This is so that any water which may
inadvertently splash on to the box is more likely to run off the box instead of into it. The
Race Box need not be mounted in close proximity to the server if this is your
preference, as long as you can connect a serial cable between the Race Box and the
Server.
Once you have located a suitable mounting location, use the four supplied mounting

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screws to mount the Race Box. You will beed to remove the outer lid to expose the
mounting holes. Once the Race Box is mounted, leave the outer lid removed until the
installation procedure is complete.
12VDC Power
Next, hook up power leads to the Race Box. The Race Box is powered by 12 Volts DC
and requires as much as approximately 0.17 amperes of current under certain
conditions (but typically uses much less). Please see the diagram in figure yyy to locate
the 12VDC connection terminal. You may connect the Race Box to the same power
switch/breaker as your Nexus server if you like. However, if you think you will want to
change your polar table during a day of racing without having to reset the rest of your
Nexus instrument system, then you will want to provide the Race Box with a dedicated
switch.
3.2 Serial / FDX Cable
The next step is to connect the supplied serial cable between the Nexus Server and the
Race Box. Be sure to tighten the thumb screws on the cable so that neither end falls out
while sailing. If the supplied cable does not reach, you can use any standard DB9 male
to DB9 female “straight through” cable such as can be bought at any computer store
and many other stores.
3.3 Pushbutton
Connecting a push button to the Race Box is optional, but if you do not connect one you
will not be able to use the timer and start line tactical functions of the Race Box.
We have supplied a weatherproof push button, but any normally open type push button
can be used. To connect the button, please refer to the diagram in figure yyy to locate
the proper screw terminals. When tightening the screws, please be careful not to over
tighten. Just make the connection finger tight, then verify that a firm tug on the wire
does not pull it from the terminal. If a firm tug does cause the wire to pull out, then
reconnect a bit more tightly.
If you are connecting your button to the Race Box only, then it does not matter which
side of the button is connected to which screw terminal. However, if your button is also
connected to an instrument such as a steer pilot, be sure that the button wire that is
connected to the ground side of your instrument is also connected to the ground
(negative) button terminal on your Race Box. Ideally, the button should be connected
only to the Race Box.
3.4 Buzzer
We strongly recommend that when the start line timing features of the Race Box are
used, that you have a loud buzzer installed on your Nexus Server. The buzzer is used
to generate an audio conformation that certain commands to the Race Box were
accepted correctly.