RaceAmerica 6650D User manual

Large Digital Display
Owner’s Manual
RaceAmerica Corporation
P.O. Box 3469
Santa Clara, CA 95055-3469
USA
[phone]
http://www.raceamerica.com
[email protected]
Copyright 2013 RACEAMERICA, Inc.
Rev J
The Leader in Event Critical Timing Electronics
Models 6650D/6450D
Code Rev H.4 and later

RaceAmerica Large Digital Display
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Table of Contents
LIMITED WARRANTY .....................................................................................................................3
PRODUCT OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................4
PACKAGE COMPONENTS ..............................................................................................................4
AVAILABLE OPTIONS ......................................................................................................................4
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS .........................................................................................................4
POWER REQUIREMENTS ..............................................................................................................5
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................5
WIRING DIAGRAM...........................................................................................................................5
PRODUCT SET-UP .............................................................................................................................6
STEP 1 - Configure the Display .....................................................................................................6
STEP 2 - Establish Data Interface .................................................................................................6
STEP 3 - Connect the Power ..........................................................................................................6
POWER-ON SELF-TEST ...................................................................................................................6
SCOREBOARD MOUNTING ...........................................................................................................7
DIP SWITCH SETTINGS ..................................................................................................................8
DIP SWITCH DEFINITIONS ..........................................................................................................10
DISPLAY UTILITY ...........................................................................................................................11
DISPLAY MAINTENANCE .............................................................................................................11
SPARE PARTS ...................................................................................................................................11
SUPPORT AGREEMENTS ..............................................................................................................11
DISPLAYABLE CHARACTERS .....................................................................................................12
01/08/13

RaceAmerica Large Digital Display
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LIMITED WARRANTY
To the original purchaser of this RaceAmerica product, RaceAmerica warrants it to be in good work-
ing order for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from RaceAmerica or an authorized
RaceAmerica distributor. Should this product malfunction during the warranty period, RaceAmerica
will, at its option, repair or replace it at no charge, provided the product has not been subjected to mis-
use, abuse, or alterations, modifications, and/or repairs not authorized by RaceAmerica.
Any product requiring Limited Warranty service during the warranty period should be returned
to RaceAmerica with proof of purchase. If return of merchandise is by mail, the customer agrees to
insure the product, prepay shipping charges , and ship the product to RaceAmerica, Inc., 280 Martin
Avenue Unit 1, Santa Clara, CA 95050.
ALL EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES FOR THIS PRODUCT ARE LIMITED IN
DURATION TO THE ABOVE NINETY DAY PERIOD.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL RACEAMERICA BE LIABLE TO THE USER FOR
DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS, OR OTHER INCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE,
SUCH PRODUCT.
THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE
OTHER RIGHTS WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
RACEAMERICA
Timing Systems

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PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The Model 6650/6450 Large Digital Displays
(hereafter referred to as 6X50) are microprocessor
controlled systems based upon the 7-segment
format display digit using the latest technology
Ultra-Bright LEDs. The display uses an RS422
serial link to receive data to be displayed. The
6X50 is capable of displaying numbers 0 through
9 and alpha letters A through Z with the exception
of K, M, and W. Selected punctuation marks are
also among the displayable character set listed in
the back of this manual. The 6X50 is designed
to connect to RaceAmerica timers, RaceAmerica
custom timers, personal computers running
race management software, and selected non-
RaceAmerica timers. Timer selection and data
format is selected through the DIP switch settings
located on the rear of the display. Because of the
long range viewing of this display, it can include
an internal wireless data link eliminating long
length cables.
NOTE: THIS PRODUCT USES ULTRA-
BRIGHT LED TECHNOLOGY. DUE TO THE
BRIGHTNESS LEVEL OF THIS DISPLAY,
CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN, AS WITH ANY
BRIGHT LIGHTING SOURCE,TO AVOID
PROLONGED VIEWING AT CLOSE RANGE
AND SHORT DISTANCES. AS WITH ANY
BRIGHT LIGHTING SOURCE, VISION MAY
BE AFFECTED SHORT TERM SIMILAR TO A
CAMERA FLASH.
PACKAGE COMPONENTS
1 - Large Digital Display comprises
6650D/6450D - Hard wired model
6650DW/6450DW - 900mhz Wireless model
6650DX/6450DX - 2.4ghz Wireless model
1 - Power Patch Cord
1 - Owner’s Manual
Model 6X50 Available Options:
07-3434 RS422 Data Cable
6501A 12V/2A AC Power Adapter (6650)
6524A 25V/2.5A AC Power Adapter (6450)
4520 Wireless RF Data Links - 900 Mhz
4620 Wireless RF Data Links - 2.4 Ghz
6601A Permanent installation kit (includes
AC Adapter and rear cover)
4500 - RS232 to RS422 Data Comm POD
07-4554-5 RS232 Data Cable (timer to POD)
6033A - PC Cable for output from PCs
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 6650
Display Type: 7-Segment
Digit Height: Fifteen Inch Tall
Number of digits: Five
Dimensions: 64”W x 22.25”H x 4”D
Mounting: 3/8-16 PEM nuts on back
Housing: Powder coated aluminum
View Filter: Red Transparent acrylic
View Range: 660’ in full sun
Data Display: 0.000 sec to 99.999 sec
0.00 sec to 999.99 sec
Power: 12VDC/2A
Data Comm: RS422 Serial
Weight: 45#/21Kg
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 6450
Display Type: 7-Segment
Digit Height: Twenty-four Inch Tall
Number of digits: Five
Dimensions: 98”W x 29”H x 4”D
Mounting: 3/8-16 PEM nuts on back
Housing: Powder coated aluminum
View Filter: Red Transparent acrylic
View Range: 1000’ in full sun
Data Display: 0.000 sec to 99.999 sec
0.00 sec to 999.99 sec

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POWER REQUIREMENTS
The 6650 Large Display can be powered
by a 12VDC automotive battery or any 12VDC
power source capable of 2.0 ampere current
load maximum. Average power consumption is
approximately 0.85 ampere. Maximum voltage
should never exceed 13.2VDC at the Power Input
Connector (NO chargers or running cars).
The 6450 Large Display is powered by a
25VDC/2.5A souce; AC adapters are available
from RaceAmerica.
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
Additional items required to operate the 6X50
Series Digital Display and options:
1 - 12VDC automotive battery (6650)
1 - 25VDC Power source (6450)
1 - Data cable or Wireless Link Units
The 6450 scoreboard should be mounted in
a structure for the five digits. This structure can
then be suspended or secured to the ground.
Other options:
AC power source for AC adapters
Model 6X50D
The Scoreboard connects to the Timer through
a RS422 Multidrop communication link as
follows:
Connect the cables as shown above.
WIRING DIAGRAM FOR TIMER TO SCOREBOARD
Figure 1 - Timer to scoreboard cabling
Models 6X50DW & 6X50DX
The Wireless Network Data Comm
Link units replace the Cable and
POD.

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PRODUCT SET-UP
The model 6X50 Large Digital Display is
designed to be mounted to a rigid strructure or
poles using the 3/8-16 PEM nuts on the back side
of the display. See Figure 2.
The model 6450 24” Large Display is
assembled as five individual digits. Assembly
bolts hold the individual digits together. See
Figure 3.
Assemble using the digit position labels
located on the top of each digit (segment is
identified by the inverse printing of its number). A
full unit will have segments one thru five assembled
from left to right, digits facing forward.
Connect the cable to the connector between
each two digits as they are assembled. A horizonal
and vertical frame structure is required to mount
the scoreboard (see figure 3).
The 6428 scoreboard should be mounted in
a structure for each five digits. This structure can
then be suspended or secured to the ground.
STEP 1 - Configure the Display
The 6X50 has two banks of DIP Switches
located on the backside of the display (Figures 4
& 5). They are used to match the communications
format and the display format to the data sent to
the display from the paricular timing system or
PC. To determine the correct switch settings,
read the DIP SWITCH SETTINGS section of
this manual. Switch settings have two positions,
ON and OFF. The ON position is indicated on the
DIP switch and is active when the switch button
is moved to the right side when viewed from
the back of the display. Switch 3 (bank S1) sets
the display format to either SSS.FF or SS.FFF
(Seconds.Fractions).
STEP 2 - Establish Data Interface
The 6X50 can receive date either via hard
wire (Model 6X50D) or via an internal wireless
data link (Model 6X50DW/6X50DX). See Figure
1.
For models 6X50D, an interface cable
contains an RJ45 modular connector on one end
of the cable and is connected to the display using
the RS422 SERIAL PORT connector on the back
of the display. When inserting this connector,
press inward until a click is heard to lock the cable
in place. If the cable remains loose and no click
is heard, carefully bend outward the locking tab
on the RJ45 connector approximately 45 degrees
from the connector body. Re-insert the cable into
the serial port until the click is heard and the cable
remains locked in place. To remove this cable,
pinch the locking tab against the body of the RJ45
connector and pull the connector out.
Depending upon the type of timer or PC
connected to the display, the other end of the cable
may contain an RJ45 connector for RaceAmerica
timing systems. In this case, either end of the
cable can be connected to the display or the
RaceAmerica timer. If connecting to a PC or
non-RaceAmerica timer, a 9-pin D-sub connector
will terminate the other end of the cable and
should be inserted into the serial communications
port to be used to send data to the display. The
Scoreboard requires RS422 format data input.
PODs and wireless links convert RS232 format
to RS422 format. This may require appropriate
PODs,wireless links and cabling.
Multiple displays or RS422 devices can be
daisy chained using the second RS422 port on the
back of the display.
For models 6X50DW/6X50DX, an Internal
Wireless Data Network is installed, simply install
the antenna on the display and connect a standalone
Wireless Data Transceiver at the data source.
STEP 3 - Connect the Power
Power is supplied to the display through
the 12VDC POWER INPUT (6650) or 25VDC
POWER INPUT (6450) connector located on
the rear of the display. Connecting power to the
display will start the power-up self-test mode.
POWER-ON SELF-TEST
When the 6X50 power source is connected,
the display begins an internal self-test and and
external visual check of the display elements.
The self-test begins by stepping through each

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Scoreboard Mounting
Mounting the scoreboard with posts at each end secured to horizontal
straps across the back. 3/8-16 bolts go into PEM nuts secured to the back
of the display.
Figure 2 - Hanging/Mounting options
segment of all five digits, one segment at a time
including the colon or decimal point which exist
to the right of each digit except the right-most
digit. The self-test continues by sequentially
illuminating each segment until all segments,
colons, and decimal points are on. The self-test
continues by drawing a square frame by sliding a
small square from left to right, then down and right
to left. The square then collapses and the revision
level of the code running in the microprocessor is
displayed. When the internal self-test and external
visual test is complete, [rEAdy ] scrolls in from
left to right and blanks out. The display is now
ready for use.
NOTE: IF SWITCH NUMBER 1 ON THE
LEFT BANK IS SET TO THE ‘OFF’ POSITION
DURING THE POWER-UP SELF-TEST, THE
DISPLAY WILL CONTINUOUSLY LOOP ON
THE SELF-TEST UNTIL SWITCH NUMBER 1
IS SET TO THE ‘ON’ POSITION.

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Figure 4 - 15” Scoreboard Cable connections and DIP Switches
Power In - 12VDC/2A
RS422/RS485 Data
DIP Switches Bank S2
DIP Switches Bank S1
Power In - 25VDC/2.5A
RS422/RS485 Data
DIP Switches Bank S2
DIP Switches Bank S1
Figure 5 - 24” Scoreboard Cable connections and DIP Switches
DIP SWITCH SETTINGS
6X50 Large Display models have two banks of
eight DIP switches (S1 (left-6650/lower-6450) and
S2 (right-6650/upper-6450)) located on the back of
the unit numbered from 1 to 8 and can be switched
ON or OFF. The ON position is indicated on the
switch itself. Each switch function and setting are
discussed below.

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Large Displays ship from the factory with the most
likely DIP switch settings for the display model.
DIP Switch Bank S1
DIP S1 SWITCH SETTINGS for
RACEAMERICA TIMER AC4 3800/3850
The 6X50 works with the Timer AC4
running F.xx.7 code (ss.fff, 3800, PC mode) and
all revisions of 3850 systems as displayed on the
Timer AC4 during power up, use the following
switch settings:
Switch Position
1 ON
2 ON
3 ON (ss.fff) or OFF (sss.ff)
4 ON
5 ON
6 OFF
7 ON
8 OFF
DIP S1 SWITCH SETTINGS for
RACEAMERICA S-TRAP 3230D
When connected to a RaceAmerica Model
3230 S-Trap Timing System, use the following
switch settings. Configuration of the printer and
serial port of the S-Trap system should not be
changed from its power up settings.
Switch Position
1 ON
2 ON
3 ON
4 ON
5 OFF
6 OFF
7 ON
8 OFF
DIP S1 SETTINGS for
CONNECTION TO PC’S, RACEAMERICA
TIMER MB 3210D, RACEAMERICA
LAPTIMERS 3900D/3905D and
Display Timers XX32E
When the 6X50 Large Display is connected to
a PC (or a 3800 AC4 in PC Mode) running race
management software capable of interfacing to
large displays using the Chronomix data string
format, use the following switch settings for
operation at 9600 baud and using a seconds format
(ss.fff):
Switch Position
1 ON
2 ON
3 ON
4 ON
5 ON
6 OFF
7 ON
8 OFF
DIP S1 SWITCH SETTINGS for
RACEAMERICA TIMER SBD 3220D
When the 6X50 is connected to a RaceAmerica
Timer SBD use the following switch settings for
proper operation. The 6X50 must be running H.2
or later revision of code (displayed during the
power up sequence) in order to display the LANE
NUMBER and ELAPSED TIME when connected
to the Large Display port on the console.
Switch Position
1 ON
2 ON
3 ON
4 OFF
5 OFF
6 OFF
7 ET lane 1 -ON or ET lane 2 -OFF
8 OFF

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DIP Switch Bank S2
The 6X50 model operates with RS422 data
input; RS232 format output from a timer or PC
will require a communications POD (4500) or
Wireless Link Unit (4X20A) to convert the data
format to RS422; call RaceAmerica for specific
requirements.
DIP S2 SWITCH SETTINGS
WIRELESS OR HARD WIRED DATA
INPUT
The 6X50 works with wireless or hard
wired RS422 data input; use the following switch
settings for the Right Bank :
Switch Wireless Wired
5 OFF ON
6 ON OFF
Leave all other S2 switches as configured from
the factory (1/2/7/8 OFF, 3/4 ON)
DIP SWITCH DEFINITIONS
The 6X50 can operate in different modes
dependent upon the device sending the information
and race results to be displayed. The 8 DIP
switches located on the back of the Large Display
(S1) are numbered from 1 to 8 and can be switched
ON or OFF. The ON position is indicated on the
switch itself. Each switch function and setting are
discussed below as well as recommended settings
when connected to RaceAmerica timing systems,
non-RaceAmerica timers, PC’s running race
management software for auotcross, and devices
conforming to established industry standard data
formats.
Display Hold Time - S1
Switch number 2 determines the length of
time to display the race results before clearing
the display. When race results are displayed,
the display will continue to display the results
for either 15 seconds for fast paced action or
120 seconds for large viewing audiences. If the
display is sent new race results prior to the 15 or
120 seconds expiring, the display will be updated
with the new results and the display hold time
timer is reset to 15 or 120 seconds.
Display Hold Time 2
15 seconds ON
120 seconds OFF
Data Sources - S1
Switches 4 and 5 are set to match the type of
timing system connected to the Large Display
in order for the Large Display to decode the
information to be displayed. The following table
is used to set the switches to select the type of data
source hardware:
Data Source Type 4 5
S-Trap 3230D ON OFF
Timer SBD 3220D OFF OFF
Timer AC4 3850D ON ON
Custom Timer 3204 ON ON
Timer MB 3210D ON ON
LapTimer 3900D/3905D ON ON
Display Timer XX32E ON ON
JA Circuits Timer ON ON
Chronomix Format ON ON
PC w/ AutoX/TS software ON ON
PC w/ AXware software ON ON
PC w/ GPSoftware ON ON
PC w/ Display Utility ON ON

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The 6X50 will display ONLY the left-most five
digits of text units sent from the utility and will
correctly display five numeric digits based on the
setting of DIP switch 8 (S1).
DISPLAY MAINTENANCE
The model 6X50 Large Digital Display does
not require any maintenance to maintain proper
operation. If the display is to be used in rainy
or wet conditions, it is suggested to protect the
back panel from direct moisture by shielding
the connection to power and the serial port.
RaceAmerica offers a Permanent Installation Kit
which includes a cover and AC Adapter.
To clean the red lens, use a non-abrasive
cleaner on a soft cloth. This will keep the
protective lens clean and maximize visibility and
clarity of the digits. If the red lens is soiled with
mud or dirt, gently remove the grit using water and
a soft cloth being careful not to press when wiping
to avoid scratching the red lens material.
SPARE PARTS
Further to minimize race program
interruptions, RaceAmerica recommends some
spare parts. While the Display may not shut
down the racing action, a spare emitter/sensor
pair and sensor cable should be available in the
event of an unfortunate accident during a program.
Related cables and PODs for the Display should be
considered. Contact RaceAmerica for availability
and pricing of spares items.
SUPPORT AGREEMENTS
Support agreements are available from
RaceAmerica providing Telephone Assistance on
technical issues and operational questions, repair
and/or replacement of hardware failures, Software
and Firmware updates and bug reporting. Contact
RaceAmerica for more information and pricing of
Support Agreements.
Diagnostic mode - S1
Switch number 1 enables and disables the
diagnostic capabilities of the Large Display.
When enabled, the Large Display receives data
and displays error codes when invalid data has
been received. The following table is used to set
switch number 1 to enable/disable the diagnostic
feature:
Diagnostic Mode 1
Disabled ON
Enabled OFF
NOTE: IF SWITCH NUMBER 1 (LEFT BANK)
IS SET TO THE ‘OFF’ POSITION DURING THE
POWER UP SELF-TEST, THE DISPLAY WILL
CONTINUOUSLY LOOP ON THE SELF-TEST
UNTIL SWITCH NUMBER 1 IS SET TO THE
‘ON’ POSITION.
Display Formats - S1
Switch number 3 sets the display format to
ss.fff format (where s is seconds and f is fractions
of a second or sss.ff format. The format is set to
match the format of the race results data sent to the
Large Display. The following table is used to set
the switches to select the desired display format
on the Large Display.
Display Format 3
ss.fff ON
sss.ff OFF
DISPLAY UTILITY
RaceAmerica offers a Windows based
Display Utility for download from it’s web site
(http://www.raceamerica.com) to handle some
of the special functions discussed here without
requiring knowledge of the specific character
command sets.
The utility allows several functions to be sent
from the PC to the display - a time of day clock, a
countdown timer, a six digit time, a combination
display of time and position summary and up
to six word sentences. This is also helpful for
troubleshooting.

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