The massive lag in data makes the Arc Pro difficult to extract any results out of.
I suspected a minimum lap time function and looks like I was right. This makes the loop impractical for testing.
I was hoping the second set of blade sensors could be left out to save time but it looks like they need to be installed.
In any case a drag strip for testing is now required. This needs to be custom built from MDF.
I’m currently achieving speeds of 8.8m/s using standard cars and guides before testing the new LED position using a modified car/guide/LED.
This is really what it’s about. Finding the limitations of a system and hopefully incorporate fixes or improvements in any related aftermarket projects or products to improve the overall experience.
So onward we go......
Rick
(This post was last modified: 19th-Feb-21, 10:42 PM by ScorpiusWireless.)
The biggest disappointment is the slow refresh times and architecture of how they integrated the blade (for use with analogue lapcounting) with phototransistor. They should have been totally independent of each other.
Reliance on app only disappointing as they could have simply added BT to C7042 powerbase. And reduced development costs by 70% and reduced tooling by 100%.
Use of BLE over classic Bluetooth a mistake also. The only benefit...auto pairing.
Agree on points 2 and 3.
So some massive issues there that could have been resolved at design stage and for identical costs.
Rick
(This post was last modified: 1st-Mar-21, 10:14 PM by ScorpiusWireless.)
Hi Guys,
The quest for more real estate and advanced (engineers term for board space) miniaturisation continues.
This is version 6.0
There’s also V7.0 I’m working on.
This is an extremely exciting project but with no guarantees with of hurdles to jump after this one. Even if it flops a lot would have been learnt and of course the fun factor along the way.
I think a clear guide with black just at the tip to trigger blade sensor is possible too to give Arc Pro the required time it needs before it sees the LED. But that requires hobbyist effort. But a possible option.
Off to have some more fun. I’m going to submit this to a John for an appraisal.
More soon.
(This post was last modified: 2nd-Mar-21, 01:19 AM by ScorpiusWireless.)
Hi Guys,
Some serious hurdles jumped so here’s some updates.
Starting to come together slowly. John is starting the actual circuitry now the physical design is complete.
So the project continues with 0.05mm tolerances required to get the job done.
Considerations today: defining the exact length of the slot on the decoder. Working out wether the decoder can actually be fitted and removed in real life. Experimentation with another LED. Sourcing parts. Antenna considerations. R1 track piece CAD drawings to prove clearance. The realisation that adding the LED, and the resultant shorter guide slot is paramount and that every 0.1 of space use efficiency was required to keep the dream alive.
The way it’s designed it’s IMPOSSIBLE for the LED to touch the rails, in any scenario or track system.
A bit of a scare it couldn’t be done, a brick wall, eventually a solution, followed by a well earned Bourbon ????
Designing a new product from scratch but trying to make one fit to so many criteria, and micro at that, is multiple times harder. Nothing has been easy on this project, as enjoyable as it is. In fact this is probably the most challenging yet rewarding projects for me ever since 2006.
Its very rare a blue sky idea actually comes to fruition. Could this actually work jn real life without drama? Lets see......
Rick
(This post was last modified: 8th-Mar-21, 10:15 AM by ScorpiusWireless.)
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