Digital Start Clocks

[Kristi Ellison]

I would like some feed back from those clubs who use digital start clocks.

How big are the digits?

How good is the visibility distance and brightness?

Is it easily portable, how big is the clock set up?

What kind of power do you need?

Is it a countdown or up?

Cost?

Complaints from drivers and/or users?

Kristi

[Composite Specialties]

Clocks

Region 4 had a nice digital clock, the Augustines and Bill Huson probably know more about it than anyone. They did use a generator to run it and it is very clear and easy to read with large digits.

[BP125V]

Digital

Marine Racing Club is interested in getting a digital clock, so if there are any other clubs out there that are interested as well maybe we can get a group rate.

Bill

[Andrew 4CE]

I put the group buy posting up last year... no one seemed interested.

As luck would have it, the guy who makes the digital clocks for model boat racing in most of north america lives 15 minutes away from me. He's made 26 of them so far I believe using gas station magnetic digits. I'm heading to his home tomorrow to discuss ideas of LED digits working with his software. He also makes timing systems for oval and straightway races.

I have a 36" tall test digit made already. It will be tested out for club approval on Nov 10th. We are hoping we can get a basic clock with three digits for about $1500 with automotive brake lights and about $700 with waterproof LED lights I've found. We'll test both lights out on the 10th and then go from there.

The clock I make will be light, waterproof, be able to float with added attachment.

Edit: To add... each digit panel I'm planning on being 2'x4'... three panels for minute and second count down. LED's facing the judges stand/camera also. 12V system.

[473M]

I have done some looking in to LED versions for MHRA. I have recived a few quotes that range from $700 to $4200. i am waiting on information now i will try and let every one know once i recive the new info. I was told that a 24 inch digit has a view range of 1000 ft. Now that is based off of land view not water so i am not sure as to how that will affect it.

[Kristi Ellison]

Andrew

Keep us posted on your progress please. I am looking for a 3 minute countdwon with good visibility and easy portability. Obviously needs to be weather proof. Need to be able to use a camara system with it. I have someone from the USTS working on an idea but if there is something out there that is already developed would make it easier.

[Matt Dagostino]

Digital Clocks................

It would be soooo great to mandate one day that all clock starts are DIGITAL...........The clocks are accurate and there is no guessing. Plus, isn't it time we stepped into the 21st century. Sweep hand clocks should have been put out to pasture years ago!

Matt (formally 20/20 vision)

[Kristi Ellison]

Matt

I agree with you I think most people have had bad experience with some of the older digital clocks that could not be seen from the course. It was so bad in Lakeland one year I put a clock in my boat so I might have a clue what was going on....maybe I should do that again
Anyway I think the technology has progressed enough that I would like to revisit digital clocks because your right guessing sucks! VCR's will also go away and I think it would be nice to be able to hook the camara's to the computer for play back and not worry about a TV on the judges stand.

[Dew1us]

Sweep hand clocks should have been put out to pasture years ago!

Matt (formally 20/20 vision)

AKA.. Captain "AARP" America

[BP125V]

camera

Krysti,

we use a video camera and TV-VCR set up along with a set of red and white LEDs that light up when the clock hits zero. the LEDs are visible in the field of view (starting line). We start recording on the VCR about 10 seconds before the start and turn it off after the last boat has crossed the line. The VCR has a frame by frame advance so it is easy to determine legal boats.

The LEDs are important as there is no "warm up" period like you have with an incandescant bulb. the lights are either on or off. The guy who built the LED box for us also built one for MHRA. Ours has red and white LEDs, MHRA has red, white, and blue. the idea behind the different colors is to add some redundancy and make sure at least some of the lights are visible regardless of ambient lighting conditions. He has a timer circuit built in so the LEDs remain on for 5 seconds after the clock hits zero.

this system would work fine with a digital clock, all you need is some sort of output be it 12V, or 110V when the clock hits zero.

Bill


PS Andrew - I'm also looking forward to hearing on your progress. I had a company that make commercial LED displays quote on a clock with (3) 40" tall digits with red LEDs for a visibility of 1/4 mile with shade around the display for $4000 +. obviously that is not going to cut it.

[BP125V]

oops

sorry for spelling your name wrong Kristi.

Bill

[Kristi Ellison]

Bill

That is very much the same as we use. The camara is mounted to the clock with the light in the frame for reference the light goes on at 10 seconds and we record until a few seconds after the start and then play back frame by frame. Our biggest problem is although the clock keeps very accurate time, it is very hard for some to figure out where they are in relation to zero the due to the slower up sweep, I guess the down sweep is faster and it is therefore proportional over the whole minute.
I have been talking to some guys at Daktronics and they can build whatever we want but it will cost a bit more then I am willing to spend.

[Bill Huson]

Region 4 digital clock . . .

Yep, like Captain America sez, the clock is accurate and easy to spot. I'll guess at the size, maybe 4' high and 8' long, about 1' thick. It uses mini-spots, LOTS of mnini-spots. A Honda 3500 watt for judge's stand power, does the clock and all the other electronic gizmos. We have 100' of huge gauge electric cord (6 ga.?) so the fairly quiet generator can be located far away from the scoring crew. Even then the constant engine noise is annoying at times. Timer can be set for 3 min or 2 min countdown. Has a signal output to trigger a start camera.

Downside. Clock takes up a lot of space. Clock has been known to blow over during one of those gusty-wind storms. Need a broom to sweep up the busted mini-spots when that happens, and a case of replacement lamps. The lamp arrary is sort of spring mounted but a hard knock-down will bust a few. Hint: Tie the clock down serious! The brain box gave us fits a few years back, had to send it in a few times for repair.

From a race committee viewpoint, the clock can be a PITA. From the racers view, the digital kicks butt! Kristi, keep names of the racers who want a digital and put them FIRST on the list for setup and teardown

[raceright]

Bill

That is very much the same as we use. The camara is mounted to the clock with the light in the frame for reference the light goes on at 10 seconds and we record until a few seconds after the start and then play back frame by frame. Our biggest problem is although the clock keeps very accurate time, it is very hard for some to figure out where they are in relation to zero the due to the slower up sweep, I guess the down sweep is faster and it is therefore proportional over the whole minute.
I have been talking to some guys at Daktronics and they can build whatever we want but it will cost a bit more then I am willing to spend.

Kristi
In the 80's we looked into this in Fla was to new and Idea we tried it at some
race cam't remember where Didn't go over to well,but believe they are better now and man I sure would be for anything to help.(you know why soon gun jumping will be my record for sure) It is very difficult to see clock in capsule boat pretty much only when driving at clock but viewing lite Numbers will probably help old fools like me. I will pledge $500.00 toward one for the U.S. Title Series

Pat

[Kristi Ellison]

Thanks Pat, I will take you up on that one . You guys are giving me excellent feedback. I want to hear Pros and Cons.