Products - Slot Cars - Lap Timer for DOS

Lap Timer for DOS :
  Overview Pictures Relay Option
  Manual Videos Dead Strip Option
  FAQ Troubleshooting Reed Switch Option
  Screen Shots Software Updates Ir LED Bridge Option

Relay Option

With the Relay Option the software can control the track power.  It will turn track power on at start of race and turn track power off at end of race.  It is important to have if you plan on doing lane rotation.    You can also add momentary on switches such as the Jumbo switch.  These switches would be used for 'track calls'.  For example if in a crash the car is difficult to retrieve you may wish to stop the race,  hitting the track call button will cut the power and stop the clock.  Hitting the button again resumes the race.  It is possible to install many of these switches, for example one at each drivers station.

The relay option plugs into  the PCs COM port normally used for connecting a mouse or an external modem.  Most PCs have two COM ports The COM port is normally a 25 pin or  9 pin male connector on the back of the computer.  Your computer may have one of each or two 9 pin connectors.  If the computer only has 9pin male connectors then an adaptor is required to go from 9pin to 25pin.

Installation of the Relay

The relay plugs into the COM port. The COM port is a serial port where you would normally connect a mouse or an external modem. It's usually a 9 or 25 pin male connector on the back of your PC. The relay option is shipped with a 25-pin connector. If you wish to plug it into a 9 pin serial port, you can use a 25 to 9 pin serial port adapter. This should be available at a PC dealer for a few dollars.  You can also order it with your relay option

The relay option cable has 4 wires.
The relay has 5 connections labeled 85,86,87a,87,30

Connect the Red wire to #85 on the Relay
Connect the Black wire to #86 on the Relay

#87a and #30 are the switch contacts to turn track power on and off.

Yellow and Green goes to COM and NO contacts on Jumbo Switch
See also Relay Installation Diagram

Relay Trouble-Shooting
  1. Try all the COM ports for Relay connected to:  in the installation settings.
  2. The best way to test the relay option is to use the Diagnostic mode (Option 'D' form main menu).  Use the letter 'T' to toggle track power, 
  3. If track power is off when it should be ON and On when it should be off then change the setting in Installation Settings
    Relay type : Normally Closed       (Normally Open)
  4. Test Relay Option Cable.  With relay option cable connected to the relay :  Red to #85   and Black to #86.  and  relay option cable disconnected from computer.   Listen for a click from relay when you plug in the Relay option dc adaptor,  if a click sound is heard then the relay option cable is defective.
  5.  To test the relay itself you can connect 9 or 12 volts to #85 and #86,  a click sound from the relay  should be heard when the connection is made.  Do not touch both wires when connecting power to the relay as you may feel a shock similar to a static shock.