RaceAmerica 5842AW User manual

T-Link3.0 Wireless
SBD Timer
RaceAmerica Corporation
105 Bonaventura Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
[phone]
www.raceamerica.com
[email protected]
Copyright 2021 RaceAmerica Corporation
Rev A
Model 5842AW/5842AZ

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RaceAmerica 5842 Wireless SBD Timer
Table of Contents
PRODUCT INFORMATION LINKS................................................................................................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
07/01/2021

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RaceAmerica 5842 Wireless SBD Timer
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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RaceAmerica 5842 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 5842
T-Link 3.0 units report sensor trips to a PC which
will calculate dierential times, elapsed times and
winning lane data.
The wireless T-Link 3.0 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 3.0 Battery Level are avail-
able from the PC software.
PACKAGE COMPONENTS
Each Wireless SBD package includes:
3 - 5842AW/AZ T-Link3.0 IDs ‘A’, ‘B’
1 - 4520USPD USB Wireless
1 - IR Beam Emitter (5042)
2 - IR Track Sensors (5140)
2 - Sensor Cables -25ft (05-5825)
1 - Owners Manual
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
Data Capture or Race Management software to
collect, display and manage results.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Model 5842 T-Link3.0
Frequency 900MHz band
USB Battery Pack 55-E670
T-Port Connections
ID ‘A’ Lane 1 Finish
ID ‘B’ Lane 2 Finish
ID ‘C’ Start Sensor
Connection Type RJ-45 Modular
Max Operating Range -20ºF to 120ºF
Battery Life 24 hours
AVAILABLE OPTIONS
6770 Wireless Win Lights
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)
SBD SETUP
Each SBD T-Link 3.0 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-Link 3.0 unit. Valid T-Link
3.0ID codes are ‘A’ and ‘B’ for Finish positions,
and ‘C’ for optional Start ET sensor. The wireless
optimizer code is also listed on the identity
label. The optimizer code identies wireless
communications optimization and compatibility
with other T-Link 3.0 units. See layout diagram
for full setup.
Install the antennas on all T-Link 3.0 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
o the ground will minimize false trips.
Plug in the 4520USPD USB cable into a USB
PC port. If the battery charge is at minimum
charge, the T-Link 3.0 will power o even if the
power switch is ON. If the 4520USPD is the only
unit powered on, the LED will quick ash red each
time it transmits. When other T3’s are powered on,
the LED will ash green when a wireless signal is
received. During normal operation, the LED on

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RaceAmerica 5842 Wireless SBD Timer
TYPICAL SBD TRACK SETUP
each T3 will ash red during transmit and ash
green each time signal is received from another
T-Link 3.0.
The wireless SBD Timer requires a PC with
data capture or race management software to
publish the race results.
USING WIN LIGHTS
Optional Wireless Win Lights can be connected
Wirelessly to the timing system and receive signals
from the 4520USPD unit.
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 4520USPD and connect the USB
cable and plug the other end into a USB PC port.
Windows should acknowledge the unit with a
tone and establish a COM port for use if teh
drivers installed properly. Install the PC Software,
configure 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
dierential and/or ET will display on the PC (XX.
XXX) an/or the LED Display.
Figure 1 - T-Link 3.0 Wireless SBD Layout

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RaceAmerica 5842 Wireless SBD Timer
After each race, the timer is locked out for
ten seconds to allow dirt and dust to settle.
USING SPARE T-LINKS
T-Link 3.0 identifier codes are preset at
the factory. Using an external Recong Jumper
provided with a backup T-Link 3.0 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 5842 T-Link, a
unit can be recongured as an ID ‘A’, ‘B’ or
‘C’ unit. To temporarily change the ID code of
a T-Link 3.0 unit, power the unit o. Select the
Recong Jumper with the desired ID code and
install into the T-Port of the T-Link 3.0 unit to be
recongured. Power on the T-Link3.0 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-Link 3.0 unit for normal use.
Do not power o the T-Link 3.0 unit after a new
ID code has been assigned. The change of ID is
temporary. When the T-Link 3.0 unit is powered
o, the ID code will revert back to the preset ID
shown on the bottom of the T-Link 3.0 unit.
BATTERY CHARGE
Charge the USB Battery Pack using the
an external USB charger unit. All functional
electronics are disabled during battery recharge to
avoid damage. Typically a full battery charging
will take 6-8 hours. The charger indicator LED
will turn from red to yelow to green when charging
is complete.
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
3.0unit. All other pins should not be connected to
avoid damage to the T-Link 3.0 unit.
Figure 2 - T-Link 3.0 power and external connections
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. ‘C’
Optimizer Code
e.g. C305

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RaceAmerica 5842 Wireless SBD Timer
Data String Protocol:
Data strings are sent from the 4520USPDunit
to provide timing timestamps from each track
sensor, battery charge level in each T-Link 3.0
unit, and RF Data Integrity level of the wireless
communications between the T-Link 3.0 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 3.0 - A thru G
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 dierent levels of urgency.
Errors E1, E3, and E5 indicate local interference
eecting the wireless communications or loss of
signal. These are error messages to alert the user
of intermittent interference and do not eect 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
eecting 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 5842 Wireless SBD Timer
REVISION HISTORY
07/14 - Initial release