RaceAmerica 6860D User manual

Large Digital Display
Owner’s Manual
RaceAmerica Corporation
105 Bonaventura Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
[phone]
www.raceamerica.com
[email protected]
Copyright 2023 RaceAmerica, Inc.
Rev D
Model 6860D, 6860DW, 6860DZ

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Table of Contents
PRODUCT INFIORMATION LINKS ..............................................................................................3
PRODUCT OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................4
PACKAGE COMPONENTS ..............................................................................................................4
POWER REQUIREMENTS...............................................................................................................4
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS .........................................................................................................4
PRODUCT SET-UP .............................................................................................................................5
STEP 1 - Congure the Display .....................................................................................................5
STEP 2 - Connect the Interface Cable ..........................................................................................5
STEP 3 - Connect the Power ..........................................................................................................5
POWER-ON SELF-TEST...................................................................................................................5
DIP SWITCH SETTINGS ..................................................................................................................6
DISPLAY UTILITY.............................................................................................................................7
DISPLAY MAINTENANCE...............................................................................................................7
SPARE PARTS .....................................................................................................................................7
SUPPORT AGREEMENTS................................................................................................................7
DISPLAYABLE CHARACTER SET.................................................................................................8
DISPLAY STAND ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS...........................................................................9

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PRODUCT INFORMATION LINKS
RaceAmerica Website www.raceamerica.com
RaceAmerica Online Store store.raceamerica.com
Raceamerica Online Forum www.raceamerica.com/forum
Product Warranty www.raceamerica.com/legal.html
Service & Repairs www.raceamerica.com/service.html
Technical Assistance www.raceamerica.com/techcall.html
Owner’s Manuals www.raceamerica.com/prodpdf.html
Mounting Diagrams www.raceamerica.com/mountpdf.html
Product Catalog www.raceamerica.com/catalog.html

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PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The Model 6860 Large Digital Displays
are microprocessor controlled systems based
upon the 7-segment format display digit using
the latest technology Ultra-Bright LEDs. The
display uses an RS232 hardwired serial link or
internal wireless to receive data to be displayed.
The serial link is congured for 9600 baud. The
6860 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 6860 is designed to
connect to RaceAmerica AC4 autocross 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. Data
connections can be via hard wire or via Wireless
Data Network Link units.
These displays are all available with
internal batteries/external chargers and wireless
communications for remote placement.
The wireless option requires a transmiter at
the data source and a receiver at the display. The
receiver can be internal (from factory) or external.
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
CAMERA FLASHES.
PACKAGE COMPONENTS
1 - Large Digital Display Unit
1 - Power Patch Cord
1 - Owner’s Manual
Model 6860 Available Options:
06-X100 RS232 Cable up to 100’
4520/4620 External Wireless Unit
‘W’ option - Internal Wireless 900MHz
‘BZ’ option - Internal Wireless 2.4GHz
6501A AC Power Adapter
6076B Carry Case
7606B Display Stand (40” tall)
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
Additional items required to operate the 6860
Series Digital Display and options:
1 - 12VDC automotive battery
Other options:
AC power source for AC adapters
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 6860
Display Type: 7-Segment
Digit Height: Eight Inch Tall
Number of digits: Six
Dimensions: 14-1/4” x 46-3/4” x 3”
Mounting: Top 1/4” Eyelets - 30” c
Housing: Powder coated steel
View Filter: Red Transparent acrylic
View Range: 320’ in full sun
POWER REQUIREMENTS
The Large Display can be powered by
a 12VDC automotive battery or any 12VDC
power source capable of 0.85 ampere current
load maximum. Average power consumption is
approximately 0.4 ampere. Maximum voltage
should never exceed 13.2VDC at the Power
Input Connector (NO chargers or running cars).

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used to send data to the display.
For internal wireless, simply install the
antenna on the display and connect the Wireless
Data Transceiver at the data source. Use DIP
switches 7/8 to switch between internal wireless
and hard-wire/external wireless.
STEP 3 - Connect the Power
Power can be supplied to the display from an
external 12V source (battery or AC Adapter) or
from an internal battery. If power is supplied to
the display externally, connect through the 12VDC
POWER INPUT connector located on the rear of
the display. Connecting power to the display will
set the display into a power-up self-test mode. If
the power source is an internal battery, turn on
the power using the switch on the bottom of the
display.
POWER-ON SELF-TEST
When the 6860 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
segment of all six 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. Lastly, the display will show all digits full
bright and minimum brightness (programatically
controlable from some PC software. Finally, the
display will blank out leaving only one or two
dim LEDs ON within the rst digit. The display
is now ready for use.
PRODUCT SET-UP
The model 6860 Large Digital Displays
are designed to hang free using the top eyelets
supplied with the display. A display stand is also
available from RaceAmerica to hang the display
at a good viewing level 40” above ground level.
STEP 1 - Congure the Display
The DIP Switches are located on the backside
of the display behind the removable cover. They
are used to match the communications format and
the display format to the data sent to the display
from the 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.
STEP 2 - Establish the Data Interface
The Display can receive data via a hard wired
cable or an internal wireless data link. The display
receives RS232 data at 9600 baud.
An interface cable contains a RJ45 modular
connector on one end of the cable and is connected
to the display using the 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 or 25-pin connector will
terminate the other end of the cable and should be
inserted into the serial communications port to be

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NOTE: IF SWITCH NUMBER 1 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.DIP SWITCH
SETTINGS
The 6860 can operate in dierent 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
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. The hold time and display format may
not apply to all timers.
Display Hold Time
Switch number 6 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 6
15 seconds ON
120 seconds OFF
Internal Hard Wired/External Wireless
Switches 7 and 8 determine the data source
for the display:
External Hard Wired
Switch Position
7 ON
8 OFF
Internal Wireless
Switch Position
7 OFF
8 ON
Data Sources
Switches 3, 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 3 4 5
Timer AC4 3800/3850 minimum revision
E.10.X (m.ss.f) ON ON ON
F.10.X (sss.f) OFF ON ON
E.0X.7 (m.ss.f)/PC OFF ON ON
F.0X.7 (sss.f)/PC ON ON ON
E.0X.7 (m.ss.f)/log/slip OFF OFF ON
E.0X.7 (sss.f)/log/slip ON OFF ON
S-Trap 3230 ON ON OFF
Timer SBD 3220
Dierential ON OFF OFF
Lane 1 ON OFF OFF
Lane 2 OFF OFF OFF
JA Circuits Timer ON ON ON
Chronomix Format ON ON ON
PC w/ AutoX/TS software ON ON ON
PC w/ AXware software ON ON ON
PC w/ GPSoftware ON ON ON
PC w/ Display Utility ON ON ON

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Diagnostic mode
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
Normal Operation ON
Enabled OFF
NOTE: IF SWITCH NUMBER 1 IS SET TO
‘OFF’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.
Factory Usee
Switch number 2 enables and disables the
factory diagnostic capabilities of the Large
Display.
DO NOT CHANGE THIS SWITCH
Factory Use 2
Factory Use ON
Normal Operation 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 specic character
command sets.
The utility allows several functions to be sent
from the PC to the display - a time of day clock, a
count-down timer, a six digit time, a combination
display of time and position summary and us
to six word sentences. This is also helpful for
troubleshooting.
DISPLAY MAINTENANCE
The model 6860 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.
To clean the red acrylic 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 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, related cables and PODs
for the Display should be in considered. Contact
RaceAmerica for availability and pricing.
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.

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A B C D E F G H I J
K L M N O P Q R S T
U V W X Y Z = | @
a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z < > ?
[ v ] ^ _ ‘ { } -
Uppercase LettersLowercase Letters

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This assembly instruction is intended for use with
six digit eight inch digital displays.
7606B Stand Kit Contents
2 - Suspension Stand Arms with ‘J’ hooks
1 - Pipe Flange
2 - 20 in pipe sections
1 - Pipe union
1 - Base Plate with Pipe Flange
2 - 1/4-20 bolts with wing nuts
Assembly
1) Assemble the suspension arms with the
pipe ange and 1/4-20 bolts at most extreme angle
setting. Orient ange and ‘J’ hooks down.
2) Connect the two pipe sections with the
coupling and screw into the base plate ange to
assemble the post.
3) Carefully screw the suspension arm
assembly onto the post. Align such that arms will
suspend the display over the center of the base
plate on the diagonal for maximum stability.
4) Hang the display on the ‘J’hooks; some
droop is normal; the display will swing in the wind.
Additional Stability - (if required)
1) Place a weight onto the base plate or
stake it into the ground
DISPLAY STAND ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Pipe Union
Base Plate
Assembled Suspension Stand
Pipe section
Suspension Arms
Flange and Arms
assembly detail