Hardware Packages

Features and Items included

Autocross

(Time Trial)

Package

NOT SOLD Separately

Included with Basic or PRO bundles.

• AXWRATS Autocross Timer
• 2 Sensors
• 2 Emitters
• AC/DC Adapter (with optional battery hookup power cord)
• 2-100ft timing wires (Cat5).
• Note: All AXWRATS Timers provide a port to connect directly to a RaceAmerica Digital Display (eliminating the need for an additional port on the PC).
• The timer has 4 connections: 1 start, 1 finish, 1 PC, and 1 for Display.
• An LED status light is provided that blinks to indicate that status (please see documentation for details).

Here is a picture of the connections:

 BASIC

Autocrossing package

 PRO

Autocrossing package

Lexan stand (for sensor and emitter). 'L' shaped. Can be positioned as 'L' or '/\' depending on needs.

Light Stands

These stands are not sold or produced by AXWare but are included here as an example of how to shield the lights from the elements for adverse conditions, and to protect the electronics as well. The gray electrical conduit boxes (2" LB box style) are easily obtained from Home Depot or Lowes.  These boxes are large enough to hold the emitters and sensor and keep them safe and free of severe water concerns.  The lids do not need to be screwed down but offer excellent weather protection.

The sensors and emitters can be Velcroed inside the box or simple wedged into the box using thick foam (they must not be able to move). Push the emitter and sensor as far forward (to the front hole).

For the sensor side, the timing cable is routed through the bottom hole and clipped into the sensor.  It is also recommended to wrap the timing cable around the based a couple of times, just in case it is hit by a car.  This will prevent the cable from ripping the sensor and causing other damage.   The conduits boxes are very touch and offer excellent impact resistance to be hit.

The conduit boxes are mounted on 2" PVC adapters (glued to the bottom hole) and are screwed to metal electrical connectors (2" - they come with clamps with are discarded).  The electrical connectors are mounted into a small metal tripod frame, the front of which can be adjusted up and down using a screw or bolt.  Aligning the lights side to side alignment is done by sighting down the screws in the top of the lid to the other side of the gate.  The up and down is adjusted by sighting along the top of the boxes from both sides of the gate.   

 RaceAmerica Infrared Sensors overcome the problems with sun light and alignment common with many photocell or low tech infrared solutions. They are purpose built for the racing applications and thus provide the necessary performance that exceeds off the shelf sensors and emitters. 

Other manufacturers use photocells which are very sensitive to sunlight and work poorly in bright sunlight. Others manufacturers also use more expensive laser powered beam emitters which generate a bright light to their low tech IR sensors. These seem to work if the sensors are shaded well from sunlight but often are intermittent when running a race event. While others purchase their sensors from outside sources, RaceAmerica's Infrared Sensors were designed by RaceAmerica back in 1991 and they have been perfecting them ever since. RA's sensors are designed to operate from total darkness to the brightest sunlight accomplished through a coded digital signal.

Note: off the shelf sensors are generally built for manufacturing purposes and thus may not have the proper latency, repeatability nor performance of these units.