pitsco W26634 User manual

User Guide
58668 V0513
Speed
Tracker
Warranty
Pitsco provides a one-year limited warranty against defects in manufacturing on all items purchased. In a warranty
situation, Pitsco will arrange for the return of defective items for evaluation. Qualified Pitsco staff will determine warranty
coverage and notify the customer. Items under warranty will be repaired or replaced at Pitsco’s discretion. Customers
will be billed for all costs associated with non-warranty items.
Cautionary and Warning Statements
• Thisequipmentisdesignedandintendedforeducationalpurposes only.
• Useonlyunderthedirectsupervisionofanadultwhohasreadandunderstoodtheinstructionsprovided
in this user guide.
• Readwarningsonpackagingandinmanualcarefully.
• Safetyglassesrequired.

2 Speed Tracker User Guide 58668 V0513
Safety
Teachersshouldprovideadequatesupervisionwhenleadingthisactivityintheclassroom.Asneeded,teachersshould
implementgeneralsafetyrequirements,includingbutnotlimitedtothefollowing:eyeprotection,maintaininga
safe distance from the racing area, proper ventilation, and instruction on the use of hand tools. Furthermore, teachers
shouldimplementthesafetyrequirementsrequiredbytheirdistrictand/orstateincombinationwiththesafety
requirementsmentionedinthisuserguide.Pitsco,Inc.isnotresponsibleforbodilyinjuryorpropertydamageresulting
from the misuse of its products or the teacher’s failure to implement proper safety measures within the classroom.
Materials Included
• 4sidepieces • Controlbox
• 4crosspieces • 25' detector assembly wire
• 2stringanchors • 25' emitter assembly wire
• 80'detectorassemblywire • Rollofmonofilamentline
• 80'emitterassemblywire • 12-voltpowerpack
Items Required (not included)
• Screweyes • Towel(Beachtowelsize)
• Rollofducttape • Scissors
• Aracingvehicle,suchasamousetrapcaroranelectricvehicle.(Pinewoodderbycarscanbetimedusingthe
SpeedTrackeraswell.CallPitscofordetails.)Note: CO2dragsterscanbeused,buttheSpeedTrackerdoesnot
include a launching device.
Constructing the Track
1. Findanareawithaatsurfacesuchasaschoolhallway,gymnasium,orcafeteriaoor.
Thesurfacemustbesmoothsoyourcarcanglideoverit.(Thickcarpetingmayprevent
yourcarfrommovingsmoothly.)TheSpeedTrackercanbesetuptohaveaspeedway
lengthupto80'.Ifyoupreferashorterraceway,theSpeedTrackercanbesetuptot
insidemostclassrooms.Note:DonotusetheSpeedTrackeroutside,assunlightwill
interferewiththeinfraredtimingdevice.Becauseofthis,solar-poweredvehiclesshould
not be used.
2. Locatethefoursidepiecesandthefourcrosspieces.Slidethenotchesoftwocross
piecesdownontotwosidepieces(Figure1).Repeatforthesecondgate.
3. Locatewherethestartandnishgateswillbeonthespeedway.Locatethestring
anchorsandsecurethemtotheoorabout4'fromtheoutsideofthegateareas.Using
ducttape,securetheanchortotheoor(Figure2).
4'
Figure 2
Figure 1

4. Eachstringanchorhasasmallpostprotrudingfromitscenter.Take
therollofmonolamentlineandtieasmallloopontothefreeendof
theline.Loopthelinearoundthemetalpostofthenishgate’sstring
anchorandwalktothestartgateend,lettingthelineunwindfromthe
rollasyougo.Abouttwofeetfromthestartgate’sstringanchor,cut
thelinewithscissors.Tiethisendofthelineintoaloopaswell(Figures
3a-c).
5. Afteryou’vechosenavehicle,locatetwoorthreescreweyesandinsert
themintothebottomsideofyourcar(Figure4).Insertthefreeendof
themonolamentlinethroughthescreweyes(Figure6)–besurethe
front of the car will point in the racing direction of the speedway. Set
down the car. Stretch the line and loop the end of it over the post on
thestartgate'sstringanchor(Figure5).Makesurethelinerunsdown
the center of the gates and that it is taut. If you are using a mousetrap car, have a partner hold it in place until you
arereadytostartracing.Rollupthetowelandlayitontopofthemonolamentlinebetweenthenishgateand
its string anchor to safely stop the vehicle.
Setting up the Timing System
1. Locatethe80'wires.Plugthesensorendsofeachwireintotheholesonthesidepiecesofthenishgate.Decide
whichholesyouwanttouse(thereareveoneachside)basedonhowtallyourvehicleis.Thetwosensorsmust
be directly across from one another to form an infrared beam. Choose holes that are low enough so your vehicle
will drive through the beam as it passes through the gates.
2. Therearefourwiresinyourkit,two80'wiresandtwo25'wires.Oneofthe80'andoneofthe25'wiresboth
haveredtipsaroundtheplugs.Theother80'and25'wireshavewhitetipsaroundtheplugs.Locatethecontrol
boxandnotethelabelsnexttothepluginlets.Thetoptwoinletsarelabeled“Emitter”andthebottomtwoare
labeled“Detector.”
Speed Tracker User Guide 58668 V0513 3
Figure 4 Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 3a
Figure 3c
Figure 3b

3. Plugthe80'wirewiththewhitetipintotherightsideEmitterinlet,andplug
the80'wirewiththeredtipintotheDetectorinletjustbelowit.Plugthe25'
wirewiththewhitetipintotheleftsideEmitterinlet,andplugthe25'wire
withtheredtipintotheDetectorinletjustbelowit(Figure7).
4. Plugoneendofthe12-voltpowerpackintoanelectricaloutlet,andplug
theotherendintothecontrolbox.Thereisaninletonthesideofthebox
forthisplug(Figure8).
5. Thewords“SpeedTracker”willautomaticallyappearonthescreenofthe
controlbox.HittheResetbuttonsothedisplayreads“0.0seconds.”The
controlboxisprogrammedtomeasurethenumberof
secondsittakesaracecartogetfromthestartgatetothe
nishgate.Whenthevehicledrivesthroughthestartand
nishgateinfraredbeams,itwillautomaticallyturnthe
controlboxtimeronando.
Changing the Timing System
Note: UsetheModebuttontochangethetimingmethod.
Thecontrolboxisprogrammedtogiveyoutheoptionof
measuring in seconds, feet per second, miles per hour, meters
persecond,andkilometersperhour.Followthesestepsto
changetimingmethods:
1. PressMode.Thescreenwillsay“SelectUnits.”
2. UsetheUpandDownkeystoselectaunit.
3. Waituntilthescreenasksforthe“P.G.(photogate)Distance.”*
4. UsetheUpandDownkeystoestimatethedistancebetweenthestartandnishgates.(Eachtimethesebuttons
arepressed,themeasurementchangesbyoneunit,suchasonemeteroronefoot.)
5. PressResetandgetyourvehiclereadytorace.
*Ifmeasuringavehicle’sspeedbysecondsalone,thereisnoneedtoenteraphotogatedistance.Ifmeasuringa
vehicle’sspeedinfeetpersecond,meterspersecond,milesperhour,orkilometersperhour,aphotogatedistance
must be entered.
Nowyou’rereadytoshowoyourbesttimewiththeSpeedTracker!Thesingle-lanestringanchorsaredesignedto
holdonlyonemonolamentlineatatime,soifyouwanttoraceothercars,youmustusetheSpeedTrackeroneat a
time and compare your fastest times.
Ifyou’regettingreadyforacompetition,theSpeedTrackerwilldisplayyourtimeforeachrun,soyoucanmodifythe
vehicle to travel faster each time.
4 Speed Tracker User Guide 58668 V0513
P.O. Box 1708 • Pittsburg, KS 66762
www.pitsco.com
Toll-Free Orders 800-835-0686
Figure 8
Figure 7