RaceAmerica 5812EXR User manual

T-Link2 Wireless
SBD Timer
RaceAmerica Corporation
105 Bonaventura Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
[phone]
www.raceamerica.com
[email protected]
Copyright 2016 RaceAmerica Corporation
Rev A
Model 5812EXR

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RaceAmerica 5812 Wireless SBD Timer
Table of Contents
LIMITED WARRANTY .....................................................................................................................3
PRODUCT OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................4
PACKAGE COMPONENTS ..............................................................................................................4
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................................4
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS .........................................................................................................4
AVAILABLE OPTIONS......................................................................................................................4
SBD TIMER SETUP............................................................................................................................4
TYPICAL TRACK SETUP.................................................................................................................5
USING WIN LIGHTS .........................................................................................................................5
USING PC CAPTURE SOFTWARE.................................................................................................5
OPERATION........................................................................................................................................6
USING SPARE T-LINK2S ..................................................................................................................6
BATTERY CHARGE ..........................................................................................................................6
TECHNICAL DETAILS .....................................................................................................................7
Connection to a PC or Timer ........................................................................................................7
Data String Protocol ......................................................................................................................7
MAINTENANCE.................................................................................................................................7
SPARE PARTS .....................................................................................................................................7
SUPPORT AGREEMENTS................................................................................................................7
07/10/14

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RaceAmerica 5812 Wireless SBD Timer
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, modications, 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.,
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.

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RaceAmerica 5812 Wireless SBD Timer
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The Wireless SBD (Soap Box Derby) Timer re-
places track cables normally used to connect track
sensors to the timing system. Model 5812EXR
T-Link2 units report sensor trips to a PC which
will calculate differential times, elapsed times and
winning lane data.
The wireless T-Link2 units operate over a wide
range of conditions. Optimal conditions are line
of sight between sending and receiving units and
six feet of ground clearance. Range can exceed
one mile. High gain antennas can be utilized for
greater distances or noisy environments.
Diagnostics such as Beam alignment, RF signal
integrity, and T-Link2 Battery Level are available
from the PC software.
PACKAGE COMPONENTS
Each Wireless SBD package includes:
3 - 5812EXR T-Link2 Wireless SBD units
IDs ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘Z’
1 - IR Beam Emitter (5042)
2 - IR Track Sensors (5140)
2 - Sensor Cables -25ft (05-5825)
1- PC Cable - 25ft (06-TL02)
1 - Owners Manual
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
Data Capture or Race Management software to
collect, display and manage results.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Model 5812 T-Link2
Frequency 900MHz band
Internal Battery 12VDC
T-Port Connections
ID ‘A’ Lane 1 Finish
ID ‘B’ Lane 2 Finish
ID ‘C’ Start Sensor
ID ‘Z’ PC
Connection Type RJ-45 Modular
Max Operating Range -20ºF to 120ºF
Battery Life 24 hours
AVAILABLE OPTIONS
5891A T-Link2 Battery Charger
3221W Win Lights
3221S Win Light Stands
05-5826 Win Light/Sensor Cable (2 req)
ET Start package
3120A AXWare Derby Data Capture S/W
3120B AXWare Derby Race Mgnt S/W
3120C AXWare Derby AASBD S/W
6070T1 Blow mold case (holds 2 T-Links)
6038P - Printer (connects to PC)
7540 Foam Stands (for emitters & sensors)
06-58AX Spare Recongure Jumper Kit
SBD SETUP
Each SBD T-Link2 unit is congured with a
unique ID code and a wireless optimizer code.
These codes are listed on the identity label located
on the bottom of the T-Link2 unit. Valid T-Link2
ID codes are ‘A’ and ‘B’ for Finish positions,
‘C’ for optional Start ET sensor and ‘Z’ for PC
interfaces. The wireless optimizer code is also
listed on the identity label. The optimizer code
identies wireless communications optimization
and compatibility with other T-Link2 units. See
layout diagram for full setup.
Install the antennas on all T-Link2 units in an
upright position. Hold the upper portion of the
antenna while tightening the knurled area on the
bottom portion of the antenna.
NOTE: The Beam Emitter/Track Sensors
operate on line of sight from four to fty feet apart.
Positioning the infra red beams about six inches
off the ground will minimize false trips.
Power on ID Z and observe the LED illuminates
alternating between red and green, then illuminates
red if the battery charge level is below 30% of
full charge or green if charge is above 30% of
full charge. If the battery charge is at minimum

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RaceAmerica 5812 Wireless SBD Timer
TYPICAL SBD TRACK SETUP
charge, the T-Link2 will power off even if the
power switch is ON. If ID Z is the only T-Link2
powered on, the LED will quick ash red each time
it transmits. When other T-Link2s are powered on,
the LED will ash green when a wireless signal
is received. During normal operation, the LED
on each T-Link2 will ash red during transmit
and ash green each time signal is received from
another T-Link2.
The wireless SBD Timer requires a PC with
data capture or race management software to
publish the race results.
USING WIN LIGHTS
Optional Win Lights can be connected to T-
Link2 Wireless units ID’A’and ID ‘B’ using cable
part number 05-5826.
When the Win Lights are not indicating a
winning lane they are continuously waiting for
the rst beam to be blocked. Once a nish is
detected, the Win Light for that lane will ash
for 10 seconds, then clear automatically and
return to idle state waiting for the next beam to
be blocked.
USING PC SOFTWARE
Locate the T-Link2 unit identied as ID ‘Z’.
Locate the T-Port connector on the back of the T-
Link2 unit. Connect this T-Port to a 9-pin serial
PC port using the 06-TL02 data communications
cable. Power on ID ‘Z’and observe the right LED
illuminates and blinks off, then on very quickly
appearing as a icker. If ID ‘Z’ is the only T-Link2
powered on, no other LEDs will illuminate. When
other T-Links are powered on, the center LED
will ash when a wireless signal is received from
another T-Link2 unit. The left LED will ash very
quickly indicating ID ‘Z’is receiving a good signal
Figure 1 - T-Link Wireless SBD Layout

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RaceAmerica 5812 Wireless SBD Timer
from other T-Links.
Install the PC Software, congure the software
for the PC COM port receiving the data; use the
software ‘Help’ sections as required.
OPERATION
When the SBD Timer is set up and aligned
with T-Links, it is time to race. The system allows
ten seconds (10 sec) after the rst nish to allow
the second racer to nish before reseing. Upon
completion of the race, the winning lane and
differential and/or ET will display on the PC (XX.
XXX) an/or the LED Display.
After each race, the timer is locked out for
ten seconds to allow dirt and dust to settle.
USING SPARE T-LINKS
T-Link2 identier codes are preset at the
factory. Using an external Reconfig Jumper
provided with the backup T-Link2 unit, a T-Link’s
ID code can be changed enabling a single backup
unit to replace any unit with the same optimizer
code. With the 5812EXR T-Link, a spare ID ‘Z’
unit can be recongured as an ID ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’
unit. To temporarily change the ID code of a T-
Link2 unit, power the unit off. Select the Recong
Jumper with the desired ID code and install into
the T-Port of the T-Link2 unit to be recongured.
Power on the T-Link2 unit. The left LED will ash
three short times to conrm the T-Link2 unit has
been recongured to the new ID code. Unplug
the Recong Jumper and connect any cables to
the T-Link2 unit for normal use. Do not power
off the T-Link2 unit after a new ID code has been
assigned. The change of ID is temporary. When
the T-Link2 unit is powered off, the ID code will
revert back to the preset ID shown on the bottom
of the T-Link2 unit.
BATTERY CHARGE
Charge the batteries using the external charger
unit provided by RaceAmerica. All functional
electronics are disabled during battery recharge
to avoid damage. Typically battery charging will
take 2 hours. The charger indicator LED will turn
from red to green when charging is complete.
Power
Blink RED/GREEN - Power ON
RF Receive Status
Blink GREEN - Receive
Blink RED - Transmit
Align Status
Solid RED - Not aligned
ID Code
e.g. ‘Z’
Optimizer Code
e.g. C17
Figure 2 - T-Link2 power and external connections

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RaceAmerica 5812 Wireless SBD Timer
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Connection to a PC or Timer:
The T-Port is a RJ45 connector with 8
conductors. Viewing the T-Port, pin 1 is on the left
side and pin 8 is on the right side of the connector.
For RS232 serial data communications, pin two is
ground and pin one is data sent from the T-Link2
unit. All other pins should not be connected to
avoid damage to the T-Link2 unit.
Data String Protocol:
Data strings are sent from the ID Z T-Link2
unit to provide timing timestamps from each
track sensor, battery charge level in each T-Link2
unit, and RF Data Integrity level of the wireless
communications between the T-Link2 units. The
data strings are always terminated by a ‘carriage
return’ (cr) character and are 11 characters in total
length.
<id> is the ID code of the T-Link2 - A thru G
and
Z are valid
<timestamp> is a 9-digit number for timing use
<error code> is a single digit number explained
under Error Codes
<rev level> is a 3-digit number of the Revision
Code of the T-Link
<batC> is a single digit number of the Battery
Charge Level of a T-Link2 unit
<rfC> is a single digit number of the RF
Integrity Level of a T-Link2 unit
<id> <timestamp> cr
ZB <batA><batB><batC> 000 <batZ> cr
ZW 00 <rfA><rfB><rfC> 0000 cr
<id> E <error code> 0000000 cr
<id> R <rev level> 00000 cr
All error messages are real time during
normal operation with different levels of urgency.
Errors E1, E3, and E5 indicate local interference
effecting the wireless communications or loss of
signal. These are error messages to alert the user
of intermittent interference and do not effect the
accuracy of the timing system unless the error codes
continue for more than 10 seconds of operation.
Errors E2 and E4 also indicate local interference
effecting the wireless communications or loss of
signal unless these error codes are preceded by 10
seconds of continuous error codes.
MAINTENANCE
To insure uninterrupted operation on race day,
it is suggested to keep track of battery usage hours
so as to have fully charged batteries. To maintain
the highest level of timing accuracy and minimize
false trips, annual preventive maintenance and
calibration should be performed on all system
track sensors and beam emitter units.
SPARE PARTS
Further to minimize race program interruptions,
RaceAmerica recommends some spare parts. A
spare emitter/sensor pair should be available in the
event of an unfortunate accident during a program.
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, and
Annual Preventive Maintenance on all system
track sensors and beam emitter units. Contact
RaceAmerica for more information and pricing
of Support Agreements.

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RaceAmerica 5812 Wireless SBD Timer
REVISION HISTORY
07/14 - Initial release