[Ninco2000]

hello, I had the following question, I have a nice analog Ninco track, and now I would like to use laptimer 2000. I have an RS232 port on the back of my PC, the point is what I don't understand is how this cable to connect/solder to my Ninco track.

I also have a Ninco Sprint lap timer, and there is a mini UTP cable?, is this possible to convert?

I would like to hear what my best (and perhaps simplest) options are. Kind regards, Robbin

[CMOTD]

You can't connect direct to track, you need a method of detecting laps installed first. 

This section of our manual should help. LINK

Scroll down to 'race management systems'.

The Ninco lap timer was a stand-alone item not designed to be connected to a computer but it might be possible to use the sensor tack on its own as a connection method.

[Ninco2000]

thanks for the answer and the manual, unfortunately it still didn't make me much wiser :( I would like to install something under the track that registers the cars and can pass this on to the PC. I just can't figure it out what to use for this, and how to connect it

[Scuderia_Turini]

Hello Ninco2000

Lap Timer 2000 has fallen out of use since computers stopped having serial and parallel ports.
The <Help> menu has the wiring diagram for using Infra-Red Diodes connected to the Serial port (either 9-pin or 25-pin).
You will need to provide an overhead light source and again there is a wiring diagram using infra-red LEDs. Simple arangement is to use a desk lamp placed above the sensors.

You need to be able to solder to connect the components to the 9-pin or 25-pin connector.

There was some trouble with Lap Timer 2000 not working, I'm not sure if it started working again.

If your computer has a 25-pin Parallel Port then it would be wise to use that with the Race Coordinator software. Lots of people use that so there tends to be a lot of support  for it on the slot-car forums.

   

[Ninco2000]

Scuderia_Turini, thanks for your answer, this already clarifies a lot, do you have any examples of what I need under the track to go to a 25 parallel port?

[Scuderia_Turini]

Hello Ninco2000,
I will sort out pictures of the track installation but meanwhile lets confirm what your computer has.

In the photo below (showing the rear of a computer), the connector in the red area is a Parallel port, some times known as a Printer Port. These are normally as shown with 25 small sockets.  A 25-way Serial Port has 25 pins.  (Apologies if you already know this stuff).  
You would need a "25-way D-type" connector with pins to plug in.


The two 9-pin connectors in the blue area are Serial Ports. You would need a "9-way D-Type" connector with 9 sockets to connect to one of these.  

Obviously you will need suitable cable to connect up with, preferably the type with a metal mesh shielding around it to reduce the risk of interference from the car motors.

Other questions:
Where in the world are you? I am in the UK.
What version Windows does your computer operate on?
How far from the track will the computer be?

Leo

   

[Ninco2000]

Hello and thank you very much for your answer and help,

on my pc that runs on windows 10 there is currently a connection with 9 of those pins (as can be seen in the blue section)

i am from the Netherlands, the computer is currently about 2.5m to 5m away from the track

i hope something can be done with this

kind regards,
Robbin

[Scuderia_Turini]

Hello Robbin,
Its very unlikely that a Windows 10 computer will have a serial port - please show a photo of what yours has. 

Windows 10 computers have USB ports and these cannot be used with Lap Timer 2000. You would need to use Race Coordinator with an Arduino interface between the computer and the tack sensor. 

Anyway here are photos of how the Infar-red photo-diodes are fitted under the track - facing upwards through a hole drilled in the track surface. Also a photo of an I-R Photo Diode (note how one leg is longer that the other as seen in the wiring diagram above.  For shielded cable I use Audio cables and these work very well.  You can see the "phono" type connectors at the track connection. 

Also desk lamp that I have used.

If you only need timing on one lane then you could use a smart-phone app such as Laptrax.  That works very well if you are a solo racer.
(https://youtu.be/6e-wH78tu0s)

Leo

   

   

   

   

[Ninco2000]

If all goes well, I have attached a photo of the back of my PC, the PC is a bit older but new enough to run Windows 10 :)

thank you very much for the photos, this already clarifies a lot, where you go for phono cables, should I go for a 9 pin cable?


and would there be anything possible to use the materials that are in the ninco sprint track?

[Scuderia_Turini]

Hello Robbin,
That makes sense now, the computer has been updated to Windows 10 but is old enough to have the serial port. Lap Timer 2000 was developed when Windows 95 was in fashion so you may have to set the software to run in "Compatibility Mode". Hopefully you know how to get the Properties for the EXE file and set as below.

You can test the basic functionality by setting the Ports to "Keyboard" and using <1> and <2> to simulate car going round. I just tried this on my Win 10 computer and it works ok.

If you get success with this then the next challenge is to get the parts and wire up the sensors as per the wiring diagram above (DB-9 Connector).

Do you have a soldering iron and relevant skills?

Leo