Simple PhotoCell Timing System
(S.P.T.S.)
WHAT IS S.P.T.S?
S.P.T.S. is an electronic timing system for 1/32nd slot car racing.
It is meant for the "Do-It-Yourselfer".
We developed this product using the KISS principal (Keep It Simple Stupid).
If you have a home track and like playing with computers and simple electronics... this is for you!
The cost is negligible. You do the work and you supply the wires, computer, photocells etc. We supply the know how, the software and any advise you need along the way.
S.P.T.S. is intended for home track usage.
It can be used on one, two, three or four lane tracks.
SPTS is NOT intended for commercial tracks and we have no plans to provide either a six or eight lane version. (Although we will if you pay us enough money).
S.P.T.S works just as well for 1/24th and 1/64th scale (HO) tracks too.
The smaller, lightening fast HO scale cars require greater sensitivity from the PhotoCells, but our instructions show you how to measure and tune your timing system to handle virtually any car.
WHAT DO I NEED FOR A COMPUTER?
S.P.T.S. is designed to run on older IBM compatible computers. It runs best in DOS (no overhead) but will run in Windows. Our original track side machine was a 15 year old 8088 but Bryan now uses an 80486/33 and Art uses a 80386. Scuderia McEwen is proud to be on "the trailing edge of technology". You can use more powerful hardware but it seems to be a waste of power. You will need an LPT port (but I don't know of any computers that don't have one).
The old computers served us well, let's find a new use for them! Just about everyone we know has access to an old working computer that no one wants anymore. You can buy one at a used computer store for very little money.
ARE PHOTOCELLS HARD TO WORK WITH?
Absolutely not!! They are simple electronic components and you can do most of your testing with a multimeter. PhotoCells are inexpensive, durable and they can be obtained at any electronics store.
The following picture shows how easy it can be...
A simple testbed for experimenting with PhotoCells used in Scuderia McEwen's S.P.T.S. (Simple PhotoCell Timing System)
which provides us with amazing computer timing and scoring.
This picture demonstrates the simple technique for installation of the inexpensive PhotoCells.
HOW DO I GET S.P.T.S.?
We do not post the instructions on our web sites.
We don't want just anyone playing around with it and asking us silly questions.
We will send the instructions to serious slotters only.
Make sure you download the Demo version of ENZO or LEMANS and try it out.
If you are serious about trying this home project, then send us an email and tell us something about yourself and your track, including:
- Your name
- Your city and country
- Brief description of your home track
- Brief description of your (old) computer
Contact us at:
Bryan Brown - bryan.brown@personainternet.com
or
Art McEwen - amcewen2@cogeco.ca
Last Updated Jan18/2004
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