Racepak V-NET V300 Instruction manual

1
RECORDING
Recording A Run 2
Telemetry (Monitoring In Real Time) 2
Uploading And Viewing Your Recording / Serial Cable 3
Uploading And Viewing Your Recording / Data Cartridge 4
SET UP
Setting The Screen Resolution 5
Setting The Year And Track Data On Sessions Page 6
Setting The Start Time 6
Setting The User Scale 7
Changing Name On Screen 7
Setting The Chart Colors 8
Changing Font Sizes 8
Setting The Screen Pane Sizes 9
Creating And Viewing Quick Graphs 10
Security Keys, Accessing 11
Security Keys, Adding 12
Adding New V-Net Sensors 13
USING
Viewing The Run Log Pages 14
Overlaying Run Files 15
Zoom In / Zoom Out On Screen View 16
Clearing The Graphs 17
Averaging 17
Copying A File To Disc 18
Finding / Viewing Old Run Files 19
RACEPAK’S GUIDE TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT USING YOUR V SERIES DATA RECORDER.
V-NET QUICK START MANUAL
This manual is for use with V50 / V300 / V500 / V600 data recorders.
If you are using a Racepak Pro II, Pro I, Pro IA, SC1000, 2K-3K, or 4K, you will require a different manual.

2
RECORDING A RUN
V300 / V500 / V600 RECORDERS
One of the first functions you will perform with your Racepak data recorder is to record a run. Unless your recorder has
been set up to automatically start recording off of a specific event, you will need to follow this sequence.
Step 1: Turn the power On to the recorder. This is accomplished by switching on the toggle switch that supplies 12
volt power to the recorder. The switch can be turned on at any time prior to the run, but should be done no less than a
minimum of ten seconds before you intend to press the ’Start Recording’ button. Turning the power on only arms the
recorder. It does not start the recording.
Step 2: When you want to actually start recording you must push the momentary enable button. There will be a
slight delay (approximately 3-4 seconds) before the recorder starts logging data, so plan accordingly. In most cases
the V Series recorders have far more memory than is required, so it is unnecessary to delay the start of your
recording until the last moment.
Some users request that their V Series recorder be configured to start recording off of a specific event, for example an
engine RPM that is attained during the burnout. If your recorder has been configured in this manner it will not be
necessary to push the enable button, but keep in mind the delay you will encounter between the time the activation
point is reached, and the actual start of the recording.
Step 3: To end the recording simply turn the power switch to Off.
The length of available recording time you have can vary depending on how much memory your recorder contains, the
number of sensors you are monitoring, and the sample rate that is assigned to each sensor. Due to the lengthy recording time
available with the V series recorders, Racepak sets a default time for the recorders to automatically stop recording. This is
usually set at 200 seconds. You have the option of changing the default stop time through your software.
TELEMETRY / MONITORING IN REAL TIME WITH V SERIES RECORDERS
The V series of data recorders have the ability to display monitored functions on the screen of your computer in real
time. You may view your data either on the graph screen or a screen that displays up to eight virtual gauges. Just as you have the
choice as to which channels to display on the graph, you can also select which recorded functions each of the gauges will dis-
play.
Step 1: Connect the onboard data recorder to your PC with the Racepak serial cable.
Step 2: Turn power ON to the data recorder.
Step 3: With the Racepak software open on your PC select the New Telemetry icon on the toolbar.
Step 4: If you have made any changes to your files a box will appear asking you if you want to Save the changes. Select
Yes or No. If you have not made any changes this box will not appear.
Step 5: The Selection Configuration box will appear. In this box select your configuration, for example: V300-1234
(a combination of your model of recorder and it’s serial number). Click OK.
Step 6: You will be asked for Session Information. Fill in any blank boxes and click NEXT.
Step 7: You will be asked for Run/Weather information. You can provide this information now or later. Click OK.
Step 8: The Save As box will appear and you will be asked if you want to save the file with the name provided. If you do
not wish to save the session click Cancel to proceed. If you wish to save the session with this name click Save. If you
want to save the session, but with another name, enter your own file name and then click Save.
Step 9: This is the time to start the car. Remember, there is no time limit when viewing data in real time, but your
software may have a default stop at 1000 seconds. This can be changed to provide unlimited real time viewing.
Step 10: You should now see the real time telemetry screen on your monitor. To start the program click on the Start
Data Acquisition icon. To start the real time session you will need to click on the channel button for each function that
you wish to view.
Step 11: To stop the real time session click on the Stop Data Acquisition icon (the red stop light just below the green
start light button on the toolbar), or click on the Telemetry pull down menu and select Stop.

3
UPLOADING AND VIEWING YOUR RECORDING
(SERIAL CABLE METHOD)
Once you have taken a recording you will want to see your data. The V series recorders can transfer their
recorded data to your computer by two methods, either direct connection with a serial cable, or by using a data cartridge. If
your system has been set up to use the serial cable follow the instructions outlined below
Step 1: Connect the onboard recorder to your PC using the serial cable. The power to the
onboard recorder must be off.
Step 2: Start the DataLink program on your PC.
Step 3: Turn the power ON to the onboard recorder.
Step 4: Select the NEW UPLOAD icon on the toolbar.
Step 5: The Select Configuration box will appear. Select configuration for your recorder. For example:
V300S-1001. This number is a combination of the type of recorder you have (V300S) and your recorder’s serial
number (a four digit number, such as 1001).
Step 6: Click OK.
Step 7: The system will now start uploading the data from the onboard recorder to the PC. When the transfer is
complete Click OK.
Step 8: The Session Selection box will now appear. Click on the appropriate selections in the Session box to
identify the run. If the proper track and year are not listed, type the correct information directly into the top of their
respective boxes.
Step 9: When finished select OK or NEXT.
Step 10: Depending on your configuration other selection boxes may appear. Fill in the information in those
boxes and select OK or NEXT.
Step 11: A File Save box will appear. Click SAVE.
Step 12: You are now ready to view the data from your recording. To illuminate the chart you must click on any
of the channel buttons at the top of the screen.

4
UPLOADING AND VIEWING YOUR RECORDING
(DATA CARTRIDGE METHOD)
Once you have taken a recording you will want to see your data. The V series recorders can transfer their
recorded data to your computer by two methods, either direct connection with a serial cable, or by using a data cartridge. If
your system has been set up to transfer the information using a data cartridge follow the instructions outlined below:
Step 1: Be sure that the power to the onboard recorder is Off.
Step 2: Plug your data cartridge into the onboard recorder.
Step 3: Turn the power ON to the data logger. The data cartridge LED will glow for several seconds and the go
out. After a few seconds the LED will begin to flash intermittently at a steady rate. This indicates that the data
has been transferred into the data cartridge.
Step 4: Turn the power Off to the data logger. Do not remove the cartridge before turning the power off.
Step 5: Remove the data cartridge from the onboard recorder.
Step 6: Plug the cartridge into the USB Reader that is attached to your PC.
Step 7: With the Racepak program open on your PC Select the NEW UPLOAD icon on the toolbar.
Step 8: The Select Configuration box will appear. Select configuration for your recorder. For example:
V300-1001. This number is a combination of the type of recorder you have (V300) and your recorder’s serial
number (a four digit number, such as 1001).
Step 9: Click OK.
Step 10: The system will now start uploading the data from the data cartridge to the PC. When the transfer is
complete Click OK.
Step 11: The Session Selection box will now appear. Click on the appropriate selections in the Session box
to identify the run. If the proper track and year are not listed, type the correct information directly into the top of their
respective boxes.
Step 12: When finished select OK or NEXT.
Step 13: Depending on your configuration other selection boxes may appear. Fill in the information in those
boxes and select OK or NEXT.
Step 14: A File Save box will appear. Click SAVE.
Step 15: You are now ready to view the data from your recording. To illuminate the graph chart you must click on
any of the channel buttons at the top of the screen.

5
SETTING THE SCREEN RESOLUTION
The Datalink program is capable of presenting large amounts of information on your computer screen. Due to the wide
variety of video cards, monitors, and your personal preferences, the default layout of the DataLink software may not be
optimum for your computer. In some cases the screen will not display the full picture. In this case it will be necessary to change
the Screen Resolution setting in your Windows Desktop. The Windows Desktop contains the default screen layout that is used
by all of your software, including DataLink, in determining how to display data on the video screen. It is not necessary to have
your DataLink program running when performing this task.
Step 1: Click the Start button on the task bar at the lower left corner of your screen.
Step 2: Select Settings.
Step 3: Select Active Desktop.
Step 4: Click on Customize My Desktop. The Display Properties dialog box will appear on the screen.
Step 5: Click on the Settings tab.
Step 6: On the Setting page locate the area labeled Screen Area. The slide bar in this area is used to adjust the
screen resolution.
Step 7: Click on the slide bar and move it left or right until the setting changes to a minimum of 1024 X 768
pixels. Larger monitors may be able to support higher resolutions, but small monitors may need a lower resolution to
display a full screen view.
Step 8: Click the OK button.
You may want to open other software programs you run on your computer to verify that the screen resolution you have
chosen still displays those programs properly.

6
SETTING THE YEAR AND TRACK DATA ON SESSION PAGE
When you upload a new run file the software can automatically fill in some of the information about the run for you.
Among these items are the year, the track at which you are running, the date of the run, and the time of the day. It will be
necessary when you make your first run of the meet to set up the configuration file to properly install this information on each
run you upload.
Step 1: Open the DataLink program on your PC.
Step 2: Select FILE and then OPEN Car Configuration from the menu at the top of the page. The Select
Configuration box will appear.
Step 3: In the Select Configuration box highlight your recorder (Example: V300S-1001, a combination of the model
of recorder you have and it’s serial number) and click OK. A screen will appear that looks like a regular run file
screen, except the file tab at the top of the page will show your configuration number with a blue wrench.
Step 4: Open the Session log page by clicking on the Organize Panes icon on the toolbar.
Step 5: Locate the Year: window on the Session page. From the selection below highlight the year you wish to
display on the new files. If the year is not included in the list click on the window at the top of the list and type in the
year. The new year will be added to the list.
Step 6: Locate the Track: window on the Session page. Highlight the track at which you are running. If the track is
not included on the list, click on the window at the top of the list and type in the name of the track. The new track name
will be added to the list for future use.
Step 7: At this time you may want to verify the information that will be placed in the Date and Time windows that are
adjacent to the Year and Track windows will be correct. This information is attained from your computer’s internal
clock and calendar. By double clicking on the time display in the lower right hand corner of your screen you will open
the Date/Time Properties box. In this box you can verify the current settings and make any necessary changes.
Step 8: Click Save.
Step 9: Close the car configuration file.
SETTING THE START TIME
The start time, or zero point, of the timeline can bet set to any position on the screen graph. By aligning the start time
with the actual beginning of your run you will be able to determine the elapsed time from the start of the run to any location you
place the screen cursor. The window at the upper left hand corner of the graph will display this information.
Before setting your start time you need to decide which event you will use to indicate the actual start of the run.
Different types of cars will use various indicators. A Pro Stock car may use the voltage signal from the two step ignition switch
that is triggered by the clutch pedal. A dragster with a centrifugal clutch may use the downward spike of the fuel pump
pressure. Cars with an automatic transmission and a transbrake may monitor the signal to the transbrake solenoid. Other cars
may use the first movement of the longitudinal G-meter or the first revolution of the drive shaft. Whichever event you elect to
use, in order to provide consistency, always set the start time off of that event.
Step 1: With the run file displayed on your screen, zoom in as far as you can on the area of the graph line you will
use to establish the start of the run.
Step 2: Place the screen cursor directly over the event that indicates the start of the run. You can use the right and
left arrow keys on your keyboard to nudge the cursor into the exact location.
Step 3: Left click on the Set Start Time icon.
Step 4: This will bring up the Confirm Data Start Time Change box. This box simply informs you that you are about to
change the start time of this file to the new indicated point on the timeline. Click OK button.
Step 5: Your screen will now return to it’s normal timeline size and the new zero point will be aligned with the start of
the run. To save this change click Save.
Your start time will now be shown at this position whenever you open this file unless you repeat this procedure and set
another new start time.

7
SETTING THE USER SCALE
The User Scale is the amount of recording time that is displayed across the screen. Generally Racepak will set this to
display from .5 seconds before the start of the run (-0.500), to 1.0 or 2.0 seconds beyond the typical elapsed time recorded by a
car such as your car. Viewing the data that was recorded before or after that portion of the recording requires using the arrow
icons to scroll forward or backward on the run. If you would like your screen to display a larger or smaller portion of the run you
can reset your User Scale to whatever time frame you desire by following the steps below:
Step 1: From the main menu bar at the top of the screen click on SETTINGS and then PREFERENCES. This will
bring up the Edit Preferences dialog box.
Step 2: From the Edit Preferences dialog box locate the User Scale Begin Time[s]: window. You can change the
starting time of the screen display by highlighting this window and typing in the new start time.
Step 3: Directly below the User Scale Begin Time is the User Scale End Time[s]: window. Highlight and type the
new end time in this window to reset the length of time displayed on the screen.
Step 4: Click the OK button.
ADDING YOUR NAME TO THE SCREEN GRAPH
While you are working in the Edit Preferences dialog box you might want to add your own name to the screen graph if
it hasn’t been done for you already. This is done in the same manner as you used to set the User Scale above.
Step 1: From the main menu bar at the top of the screen click on SETTINGS and then PREFERENCES. This will
bring up the Edit Preferences dialog box.
Step 2: From the Edit Preferences dialog box locate the User Title: window. You can change the name that appears
on the graph screen by highlighting the window and typing in the name you wish to appear.
Step 3: Click the OK button.

8
SETTING THE CHART COLORS
The colors that are used on the graph screen can be customized to suit your personal preferences. Depending on the
type of computer you use, and the environment where you use it, some combinations of colors can make it easier for you to
see the data on the screen. If you are in the habit of printing copies of the graph it can also be helpful to use a white
background screen, as it speeds up the printing process and uses less ink out of your printer.
Step 1: Open a run file.
Step 2: From the menu bar at the top of the screen select SETTINGS and then CHART COLORS.
This will bring up the Chart Color box. Note that the Chart Color box has three selection boxes: Foreground,
Background, and Avg. Cursor.
The Background selection controls the color of the graph background. White or black are most commonly used.
The Foreground selection sets the colors of the graph grid lines, plus the colors for the numbers on the timeline and
graph scale. Use a foreground color that provides the greatest contrast with the background color you chose.
The Average Cursor selection sets the colors of the dotted vertical lines that appear when you use the averaging
feature. If you are unfamiliar with this feature see: Using The Averaging Feature.
Step 3: Experimenting with different combinations is easy. Click on the color of your choice in each selection box.
To view how the colors will look on the graph click the OK button.
CHANGING FONT SIZES
Racepak users sometimes want to change the size of the print that appears on their screen. It is possible with the
customizable Datalink software program to increase or decrease the font sizes. Most software programs are defaulted to
display 12 point fonts. You have the option of choosing a font size between 8 points and 32 points in size, however we
have found that anything smaller than 11 points become difficult to read, and anything above 16 points starts using up
screen space unnecessarily.
Step 1: Open a run file.
Step 2: Select SETTINGS and then PREFERENCES at the top of the screen. This will bring up the Edit
Preferences box.
Step 3: At the bottom of the Edit Preference box are two scroll bars, one for Channel Font Size and the other for
Log Font Size. Move the scroll tabs on either scale to the desired font size to change the size of the
channel buttons or the text on the log pages.
Step 5: Click OK button and the change will immediately appear on the run file.

9
SETTING THE SCREEN PANE SIZES
The Racepak DataLink program you see on your computer monitor is actually composed of four screen panes.
Across the top of the screen is the pane containing the Run File tabs and the Channel Buttons. The middle portion of the
screen contains the graph pane. The pane at the bottom of the screen contains the tabs and the log pages associated with
the run file currently being displayed. Finally, on the left side of the screen is the icon toolbar. You have the ability to resize
the height of all of the pane sizes except the toolbar. You can even set up a selection of pane size combinations that allow
you to scroll from one combination to another by clicking on an icon.
TO SET THE INITIAL SCREEN PANE SIZE
Step 1: Open a run file. Then click on Settings and Screen Sequence Sizes at the top of the screen. This will
bring up the Edit Screen Size Sequence box.
Step 2: Note that the Edit Screen Sequence box has four columns: Enabled, Channel Size, Graph Size, and Log
Size. Click to delete all checkmarks in the Enabled column except the top row. This will allow you to work on
just the first screen sequence size that appears when you open a file.
Step 3: Change the Channel pane size by clicking on the Channel Size box in row one and typing in the new
pane size (Example, 18). The number you type will be the percentage of the screen you want to allot to the
Channel pane. Don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time. You can adjust this number later suit the number
of channel button your system contains.
Step 4: Change the Graph pane size by clicking on the Graph Size box in row one and typing in the new pane
size (example, 74). Notice that as you do this the number in the Log Size box will automatically change so the
total of the three boxes in the row will equal 100%.
Step 5: Click OK button.
Step 6: On the toolbar select the Organize Panes icon. When you click on this icon the screen panes will
change to the new sizes you have assigned to them.
SCROLLING TO DIFFERENT SCREEN PANE CONFIGURATIONS
Another feature of the programmable screen pane sizes is the ability to scroll from one set of screen pan sizes to
another while the file is open. For example, from your initial screen page configuration you may want to enlarge the Log
Pane size so you can view the full log page for whichever tab is selected. Rather than clicking on the bar above the log
page tabs and dragging it upward, which will reduce the graph pane and enlarge the log page pane, you can do this with a
single click of the mouse.
Step 1: Open a run file. Then click on Setting and Screen Sequence Sizes just as you did when setting the
initial screen pane sizes. This will again display the Edit Screen Size Sequence box.
Step 2: Enable row #2 on the Edit Screen Size Sequence box by clicking on the Enable Box for that row.
Step 3: Repeat steps 3 through 5 from above. Start by assigning the Channel Size box to 18% and the Graph
Size box to 14%. This will enlarge your Log Page pane to 68%.
Step #4: On the tool bar select the Organize Panes icon. When you repeatedly click on this icon the screen
panes will scroll back and forth between the sequences you have assigned on rows #1 and #2.
Using this procedure will allow you to assign up to eight different selections of screen pane size configurations.

10
CREATING & VIEWING QUICK GRAPHS
Almost everyone has their favorite set of channel graphs they look at first when viewing a newly uploaded file. Some
even want to have the graph lines from the various channels in specific colors. Rather than always needing to click on each of
the channels individually, and then scrolling through the color pallet on every channel, Racepak provides a method of bringing
your favorite combination onto the screen with ease. This is done with Quick Graphs, a program that allows you to set up
channel combinations that can be accessed with just a few clicks of your mouse.
CREATING QUICK GRAPHS
Step 1: Open any run file.
Step 2: Select the combination of channel graphs that you wish to display as a Quick Graph. You can
repeatedly click on each of the channel buttons you select to change the graph line to the color you want displayed.
For example, many people like their engine RPM to always be in red, and the drive shaft to be blue.
Step 3: Click on the Quick Graph icon on the toolbar. This is the icon with a picture of a green computer mouse and
a yellow sheet of paper. The Select/Type Quickgraph Name dialog box will appear on your screen.
Step 4: Click on the top window of the Select/Name Quickgraph Name box.
Step 5: Type in the name you want to assign to the selection of channels you have just chosen, for example:
ENG-DS-SLIP or Quick Graph #1.
Step 6: Click the SAVE button.
Your selection of channels will now be available under the name you assigned whenever you open the Quick Graph
selection. You can repeat this process to create as many quick graph combinations as you wish. To view the quick graphs on
any file you open follow the steps below:
VIEWING QUICK GRAPHS
Step 1: Open the run file. This can be either a newly recorded run file, or an existing file.
Step 2: Click on the Quick Graph icon. The Select/Type Quickgraph Name dialog box will appear.
Step 3: Select and highlight the Quick Graph you want to display. Your selection will appear in the window at the
top of the Quick Graph selection list.
Step 4: Click on the LOAD button. The channel graphs for the Quick Graph selection will now be displayed on your
graph screen in the colors you assigned.
You can add other channels to those on your graph by clicking on their individual channel buttons, but returning to the
Quick Graph box and choosing another selection of Quick Graphs will erase all of the channels currently on display.