Safety Measure...

[MGallagher]

This is a link to something that was brought up and then haven't heard much of.

These are Stack lights that if done right could be a great safety measure at some of our larger races.

http://web2.automationdirect.com/adc...og/Stacklights

[Bill Huson]

Tried that . . .

Dennis Burke, a Region 4 stock/mod driver, attempted to build a floating safety light array ala NASCAR lights. I believe an engineer, son of Larry Spencer (also named Larry?) was in on the project. The main problem was delivering enough juice to power lights bright enough to be seen on our sunlit courses. Dennis did have a buoy tower of lights which proved to lack the intensity required to be easily seen on the race course. Second problem, scraping together enough cash to buy super lights and all the other electrical stuff needed to assemble the arrays. Plan was to trigger the various color lamps by radio signal. I seem to recall Mr. Spencer suggested a "heads up" type display that would show warning lights on the face plate of the driver's helmet.

Not sure where the project is now. Lack of R&D cash?

[Bill Huson]

RE previous post . . .

I did not mean to toss a wet towel on the idea, just reporting the efforts of Dennis and Mr. Spencer. I think functional course lights would be great. Or onboard warning signals, or both.

[ian]

While at the Worlds a few years ago, we used yellow flags, instead of blue and white, which is a pretty bad color combination for something you are supposed to see at a glance. The yellow flags where very obvious on the race course. I would like to bring yellow flags this weekend, for a trial, if interested.

[sam]

It just occurred to me that the strobes now used on police and other emergency vehicles are visible in bright daylight now. I would think that the cost of them would be coming down with the very high volume of them that is being produced. Small fairly inexpensive AGM batteries have pretty good power output. Maybe what was prohibitively expensive a few years ago is a bit less now.

[jsilvestri]

While at the Worlds a few years ago, we used yellow flags, instead of blue and white, which is a pretty bad color combination for something you are supposed to see at a glance. The yellow flags where very obvious on the race course. I would like to bring yellow flags this weekend, for a trial, if interested.

Ian, if memory serves me correctly, I remember someone telling me that the blue and white flag is used because people who are color blind can still detect the flag. All solid color flags look the same to those who are color blind, at least that is how I understand it. One thing we, TRORA, did a few years ago, thanks to the Masons, was have larger flags made. I do think they make a difference compared to the older smaller flags we used to use.

[ian]

That makes sense. How about yellow and hot pink? Those lousy color blind.......

[Bill Huson]

Pink???

That makes sense. How about yellow and hot pink? Those lousy color blind.......

Hmm . . . some of those *notes* on 31-E begin to make sense

Note: I believe AOF uses a yellow flag. Seems to work. But when I was flipping flags at the AOF Nationals in Rainbow City, AL many moons ago, AOF didn't use a RED flag. Black flag for emergencys. Ever try to spot a black flag on a backdrop of lush trees with an overcast sky? Not gonna happen. RED be good!

[kws]

i think the only way you can be sure to actually grab a drivers attention as opposed to the driver remembering to check for flags. I feel you would have to use the really bright strobes used on snow plows. not the old fashion revolving lites or led strobe. Those capacitor discharge strobes are what i would try. But yes power would be a big issue. It would probably take electric forklift batterys to run them all day

[MGallagher]

Those particular stacklights are strobe.

Some specs are as follows:

All electronic modules available in either 24 V or 120 VAC/ VDC
There are solutions for a wide range of industrial control applications.

Light modules have NEMA 4X outdoor rating
You don't have to worry about wet conditions or washdown.

Five module colors, including alarm, LED warning lights, and Xenon strobe light units
You can build custom light towers up to 6 modules high
NOTE: A Xenon emergency strobe light unit occupies two module slots in the assembly.

[sam]

The Xenon strobes only come in white and red from them. A stack of one red, one white and a base would be $305 plus shipping.

[Cameraboy]

It just occurred to me that the strobes now used on police and other emergency vehicles are visible in bright daylight now. I would think that the cost of them would be coming down with the very high volume of them that is being produced. Small fairly inexpensive AGM batteries have pretty good power output. Maybe what was prohibitively expensive a few years ago is a bit less now.

This type of lighting is going LED now. The problem is finding the right LEDs/lens cover to offset direct sunlight. We have a new LED starting clock that works great in overcast weather, but direct sunlight wipes it out. However, there are a number of vehicle and road signage setups using LED technology that don't suffer from direct sunlight. And LEDs work on 12 volt power. We're continuing to work the problem.

[les]

Wip

Bill,
The project is still alive. We did develop production intent radio gear and systems for the heads up / dashboard display, As well as ‘buoy’ electronics systems. The buoy-based lights are still on the expensive side. With state of the art LED arrays, both power and intensity are achievable with off the shelf components.
At some point, It comes down to priorities. The broadcast transmitter can be built for less than $350 (one required for each 1/2 mile of distance) The ‘heads up’ pieces are less than $150 per box. The LEDs per buoy cost $300/set/color. Bottom line, There is not a technical limitation.
Radios in outboard racing?, Well that’s another topic. And one that I will avoid (for the moment)

Larry Spencer

Attached photos
1. Switch box/signal processor, RC transmitter connected via trainer port, Onboard /in-dash components
2. RX, Signal processor, and LED in prototype helmet

[Bill Huson]

Cool stuff, Larry . . .

Tech problems solved. Money . . . ? I'm guessing a couple thousand to rig a course, plus $150 per driver for the heads up. I've been to a few races where the club charged a "fine" for destroying a buoy (fancy buoys, not yellow garbage bags). Imagine the fine for sinking the strobe array?

[BP125V]

This type of lighting is going LED now. The problem is finding the right LEDs/lens cover to offset direct sunlight. We have a new LED starting clock that works great in overcast weather, but direct sunlight wipes it out. However, there are a number of vehicle and road signage setups using LED technology that don't suffer from direct sunlight. And LEDs work on 12 volt power. We're continuing to work the problem.

Mike,

where did you get the clock from? how tall are the digits and how far away can you see them? what did it cost?

thanks,
Bill