RaceAmerica 5820 User manual

T-Link Wireless
SBD Timer
RaceAmerica Corporation
P.O. Box 3469
Santa Clara, CA 95055-3469
[phone]
http://www.raceamerica.com
[email protected]
Copyright 2011 RaceAmerica Corporation
Rev B
Model 5820
The Leader in Event Critical Timing Electronics

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RaceAmerica 5820 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-LINKS ....................................................................................................................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
06/20/11

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RaceAmerica 5820 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, 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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RaceAmerica 5820 Wireless SBD Timer
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The Wireless SBD (Soap Box Derby) Timer
replaces track cables normally used to connect
track sensors to the timing system. Model 5820
T-Link units report sensor trips to a PC which can
calculate Differential times, elapsed times and
winning lane data.
The wireless T-Link 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-Link Battery Level are available
from the PC software.
PACKAGE COMPONENTS
Each Wireless SBD package includes:
3 - 5820C T-Link 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 5820 T-Link
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
5890A T-Link 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 Reconfigure Jumper Kit
SBD SETUP
Each SBD T-Link unit is configured 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-Link unit. Valid T-Link
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
identifies wireless communications optimization
and compatibility with other T-Link units. See
layout diagram for full setup.
Install the antennas on all T-Link 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 fifty feet apart.
Positioning the infra red beams about six inches
off the ground will minimize false trips.
Power on the Bean Emitter(s), then the T-Links.
The right LED will illuminate immediately. If the
sensor is not aligned with the beam emitter, the
left LED will be ON; when the sensor is aligned,
the left LED will blink at a regular interval (the

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RaceAmerica 5820 Wireless SBD Timer
TYPICAL SBD TRACK SETUP
‘heart beat’) indicating proper operation. Most
software has an alignment function which can be
utilized for alignment status.
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-
Link 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 first beam to be blocked. Once a finish is
detected, the Win Light for that lane will flash
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-Link unit identified as ID ‘Z’.
Locate the T-Port connector on the back of the
T-Link 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 flicker. If ID ‘Z’ is the only T-Link
powered on, no other LEDs will illuminate. When
other T-Links are powered on, the center LED
will flash when a wireless signal is received from
another T-Link unit. The left LED will flash very
quickly indicating ID ‘Z’ is receiving a good signal
from other T-Links.
Install the PC Software, configure the software
for the PC COM port receiving the data; use the
software ‘Help’ sections as required.
Figure 1 - T-Link Wireless SBD Layout

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RaceAmerica 5820 Wireless SBD Timer
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 first finish to allow
the second racer to finish 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-Link identifier codes are preset at the
factory. Using an external Reconfig Jumper
provided with the backup T-link 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 5820C T-Link, a spare ID ‘Z’ unit
can be reconfigured as an ID ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’ unit.
To temporarily change the ID code of a T-Link
unit, power the unit off. Select the Reconfig
Jumper with the desired ID code and install into
the T-Port of the T-Link unit to be reconfigured.
Power on the T-Link unit. The left LED will flash
three short times to confirm the T-Link unit has
been reconfigured to the new ID code. Unplug
the Reconfig Jumper and connect any cables to
the T-Link unit for normal use. Do not power
off the T-Link unit after a new ID code has been
assigned. The change of ID is temporary. When
the T-Link unit is powered off, the ID code will
revert back to the preset ID shown on the bottom
of the T-Link 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 12 hours. The charger indicator LED will turn
from red to green when charging is complete.
Figure 2 - T-Link power and external connections
Power On/RF Transmit
ON - Power ON
Blink - Transmit
RF Receive Status
Blink - Receive
Align Status
Pulsing - Aligned
ON - NOT aligned

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RaceAmerica 5820 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-Link
unit. All other pins should not be connected to
avoid damage to the T-Link unit.
Data String Protocol:
Data strings are sent from the ID Z T-Link
unit to provide timing timestamps from each
track sensor, battery charge level in each T-Link
unit, and RF Data Integrity level of the wireless
communications between the T-Link 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-Link - 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-Link unit
<rfC> is a single digit number of the RF
Integrity Level of a T-Link 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 5820 Wireless SBD Timer
REVISION HISTORY
A - 05/07 - Initial release
B - 06/11 - CORRECT DATA STRINGS
C -