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RAC-100 and 200 User’s Manual

Automatic Calibration Procedure

In order to accurately measure distance, your RAC-100/200 must know the
exact distance that the vehicle will travel based on pulses from the vehicle's
transmission. The calibration number is the automatic calculation that rep-
resents the number of pulses received over a set distance.  This number, once
calculated, will remain accurate for any instrument requiring a calibration
factor until a change to the vehicle occurs, such as  different size tires put
on the vehicle, tire wear, air added to the tires, etc. At that time, you must
re-calibrate.

In order to calculate the calibration number for
your particular vehicle, you must first establish a
calibration course. The length of the course can
be any known distance more than 500 feet  —
1000 feet is ideal. In general, a shorter more pre-
cise course is better than a longer imprecise

course. Your course should be straight and accurate, so take the time to
measure the course using a 100' tape. Mark the beginning and ending points
so they can be seen from inside your vehicle. Remember, the course length
can be any accurate distance over 500 feet, so for convenience you could
use a telephone pole or other marker as reference point.

Step 1      Slide the ON/OFF switch to ON. Your DMI will perform a brief

Self Test. The current Calibration Number will be displayed for
approximately three seconds, then [C.H   0.000] will appear
with the decimal between the C & H flashing.

Step 2 Align your vehicle to the marker at the beginning of the course

using a reference point on or in the vehicle, such as a window
post, door handle, your shoulder, etc.

Step 3 Press the UNIT key to select feet. The FEET LED will come on

and [ 0 ] will be displayed.

Step 4  Press the CAL key.  [CL     0] will show up. The instrument is

asking for the Course Length. Key in the length of your
calibration course in feet using the numeric keypad and press
the ENTER key. [C.H     0]  is again on the display. Press the
C-HOLD key, C.H will go off.

Your RAC 100/200
must be calibrated in
order to accurately
measure distance.

3-2

Summary of Contents for RAC-100

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Page 2: ...y also contact us by fax at 1 215 491 4889 or by e mail at sales jamartech com For more information on our products or for the latest news in product development visit our web site at www jamartech com For support information specific to the RAC 100 or 200 go to www jamartech com RACSupport htm Address any correspondence to JAMAR Technologies Inc 151 Keith Valley Road Horsham PA 19044 1411 Volume ...

Page 3: ... Calibration Procedure 3 6 Key Functions Operating Procedures 4 1 Key Functions RAC 100 4 2 Procedures RAC 100 4 5 Interval Distance 4 5 Distance Pulse Output DPO 4 5 Key Functions RAC 200 4 7 Procedures RAC 200 4 8 Memory Store 4 8 Memory View 4 9 Memory Clear 4 11 Printing and Serial Port RS 232 Output 4 12 Wireless Infra Red Remote Option 4 15 Troubleshooting 5 1 Error Codes 5 2 Frequently Aske...

Page 4: ...RAC 100 and 200 User s Manual This page was intentionally left blank iv ...

Page 5: ...1 1 Chapter 1 Introduction to the RAC 100 and 200 Chapter 1 Introduction ...

Page 6: ...gned with features to provide you with a versatile and functional instrument that can be learned in a very short time The RAC 200 contains all of the features of the RAC 100 with the addition of memory storage and data output This allows for saving of information for later download to a computer or printer The RS 232 port used for down loading can also be used to control the unit in a real time mo...

Page 7: ...inimal The MDS is not just an improvement over other electronic interface type sensors First and foremost its proprietary circuitry allows more accurate slow speed measurements by sensing signals as low as 10 Mv from the vehicle speed sensor Second it is designed to be mounted under the vehicle dashboard rather than under the hood as with other interface sensors This gets the MDS out of a severe h...

Page 8: ...rement with your vehicle Once your DMI has been calibrated you should perform a test measurement over a known distance This will ensure that the instrument has been cali brated correctly To do a test measurement drive to your starting point and stop Turn on the DMI and wait until C H is shown on the right side of the display and zero is shown on the left side Next press the C Hold count hold butto...

Page 9: ...Chapter 2 Installation 2 1 Chapter 2 Installation ...

Page 10: ...not install wires near any object that could cause stray pulses to be picked up such as the alternator spark plugs or engine coil Do not install the wires or sensor near any objects that will get hot such as the manifold The installation wires or sensor can melt if they are too close to a heat source Do not install wires near any objects that could vibrate and cut the wires Tire pressure should be...

Page 11: ... using the rear ABS signal On General Motors pick up trucks the best place is the VSS at the transmission On many vehicles both trucks and autos you can go to the cruise control signal or to the vehicle ECU which is often located under the dashboard Your localAuto Truck dealer can usually tell you where the VSS can be located on your vehicle If you need additional assistance contact JAMAR 3 Route ...

Page 12: ...d instrument location This will usually be routed between the doorpost and the dash board Make sure the cable will not be pinched when closing the door If the instrument is going to be mounted to the front of the dashboard you may want to bring the cable straight up the front of the dash There is adequate cable length to allow mount ing the DMI in any desired location inside the vehicle Plug the c...

Page 13: ...witch on the front of the MDS as shown in Figure 2 5 Although your particular vehicle may vary generally Chrysler and Ford vehicles use a 4 to 1 ratio position 4 on the switch while General Motors vehicles use a 16 to 1 ratio position 16 on the switch To adjust the ratio use a small screwdriver to rotate the switch until the slot in the switch points to the desired ratio Note that when the switch ...

Page 14: ...heVSS located on top of the rear end housing instead of at the transmission It will nor mally be a 2 wire output small gauge wire Connect the red and black wires of the long 20 VSS cable to the wires from the vehicle s speed sensor Crimp on tap splice connectors are supplied for convenience on initial installation However we recommend removing the tap splice connectors and reconnecting using wire ...

Page 15: ...ment remember it should be within easy reach and the display should be visible without obstructions After mounting the RAC plug the black cable from the MDS into the DMI You may want to consider allowing enough slack in the cable to permit a passenger to hold operate the RAC if necessary Regardless of the mount ing location velcro strips are provided for quick easy mounting removal of your RAC Onc...

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Page 17: ...Chapter 3 Calibration 3 1 Chapter 3 Calibration ...

Page 18: ...aight and accurate so take the time to measure the course using a 100 tape Mark the beginning and ending points so they can be seen from inside your vehicle Remember the course length can be any accurate distance over 500 feet so for convenience you could use a telephone pole or other marker as reference point Step1 SlidetheON OFFswitchtoON YourDMIwillperformabrief SelfTest ThecurrentCalibrationNu...

Page 19: ... on the DMI You should rerun the calibration course to verify the calibration for your vehicle Press C HOLD prior to measuring If this is the first time you have calibrated a DMI you may want to run the course a couple of times to prac tice being properly aligned when starting and stopping at the course mark ers The calibration number used should be between 500 and 1 200 If your calibration number...

Page 20: ... it did count If the DMI did count everything from the MDS up to the DMI is okay and the problem is most likely either a poor connection at the vehicle s speed sensor or the connection is not at the correct loca tion to get the vehicle speed signal The speed sensor output is generally at the transmission or the rear differential If you are unsure about being attached to the correct output disconne...

Page 21: ...or five times Note that when the switch is turned clockwise until it stops it is at the Test position The DMI should register The count shown does not mat ter just as long as the DMI did register a count If it did count the cable from the MDS to the DMI and the instrument itself are OK If the DMI did not count the problem is most likely a bad cable to the DMI or the DMI itself is bad If available ...

Page 22: ...etermined and recorded Step 1 Slide the ON OFF switch to ON The RAC 100 200 will complete a brief Self Test the current calibration number will be displayed with a three second tone then C H 0 000 will appear Step 2 Press the CAL key CL 0 000 will be displayed DO NOT key in a calibration course length just press the ENTER key CF along with the current calibration number will be dis played Step 3 T...

Page 23: ...Chapter 4 Key Functions Operating Procedures 4 1 Chapter 4 Key Functions Operating Procedures ...

Page 24: ...the decimal between C and H flashing If Speed is also being displayed C H is not shown The speed drops to 0 but the decimal is flashing If C H is displayed the DMI will not count Press C Hold and C H will go off The DMI will now count as you drive Pressing this key will stop the display from counting while internally the DMI will continue to accumulate distance Once pressed dH is displayed on the ...

Page 25: ...3 To change the distance display to read the value just keyed in press ENTER A If you just want to add the value to the current distance press the ADD key B To subtract the value from the current dis tance press the SUB key This key allows you to select whether to display your Speed or elapsed Time Step 1 Pressing the T S key one time will show the Speed of your vehicle in the two far left digits ...

Page 26: ...function is to turn off the tone when using the Distance Pulse Output This key resets the distance or time to zero 0 For added convenience CLEAR can be used on the run while measur ing This feature will allow you to establish a zero starting point without having to stop your vehicle in traffic or in the center of a busy intersection ThiskeyinstructstheDMItoacceptthepreviouslykeyedvalue on the disp...

Page 27: ...lay will then show the distance from B to C Continue pressing the 2 key at each reference point and the distance between each reference point will be displayed C to D D to E E to F etc There is no limit as to the number of times you can use the 2 key to display the interval distance between points of interest Step 3 To EXIT the Interval Distance mode press the 3 key The display is now the total di...

Page 28: ...llisecond pulse duration is usually adequate for sending pulses to a laptop computer and will not create a problem at normal highway speeds If you are using DPO capability for a long period of time the tone heard with each output pulse can become somewhat unnerving To activate the DPO signal without tone Step 1 Select the desired unit of measurement Step 2 Press the DPO key Step 3 Key in the desir...

Page 29: ...ormation in memory Refer to the Memory Store procedure on page 4 8 for more detailed information This key can be used to view the information for any of the memory locations 0 to 999 that have been stored in the DMI Refer to the Memory View procedure on page 4 9 for more detailed information This key is used to clear the memory of the RAC 200 Refer to the Memory Clear procedure on page 4 11 for mo...

Page 30: ...tion shown press ENTER To start at a different location than that shown key in that memory location then press ENTER CAUTION If you decide to start at Location 0 you will overwrite any data stored in subsequent memory locations Step 3 The two digits to the left of the distance displayed identify the numeric code number Using a numeric code 0 99 your are able to identify the events you wish to inve...

Page 31: ...shing indicating Count Hold or Display Hold Memory View This feature allows you to view survey information that has been stored in the memory of the RAC 200 To view this information use the following steps Step 1 The RAC 200 must be in COUNT HOLD to view the memory Once this is done select the desired unit of measurement us ing the UNIT key then press the VIEW key Step 2 Loc 0 will be displayed At...

Page 32: ...ed Using the ADD and SUB keys you are now able to step forward or back ward through the memory locations Remember that if you selected to see only a specific code as you step forward or backward through the memory you will see only the locations with that specific code number such as all the locations with 45 mph speed signs Step 5 To see the SPEED and elapsed TIME associated with each event press...

Page 33: ...p 2 Press the ENTER key while ErASE is displayed The display will step through all of the memory locations 0 999 which takes about eleven seconds When completed ALL memory lo cations will be erased and the display will return to Count Hold If after pressing the ERSE key you decide against clearing the memory lo cations do not press the ENTER key just press any other key An error code E 0 will appe...

Page 34: ...er to the WinRAC manual for information on how to retrieve data from the RAC 200 2 Into an independent software program The data from the RAC 200 can be output to any communications program that has been configured properly to read the serial port Refer to the appendix for more infor mation on the RAC 200 s RS 232 format 3 Directly to a printer Data can be output directly to a printer such as the ...

Page 35: ...der showing Date Survey ID and identifiers for event unit of measurement time and unit of speed To collect data press the C HOLD key to release Count Hold As you see an event ahead of you key in the appropri ate code number which will be shown on the two far left dig its When you reach the event press the ENTER key This is the same procedure as described in the Memory Store section on page 4 8 The...

Page 36: ...d starting location then press ENTER Step 3 CodE 0 will then appear To output ALL used memory lo cations press ENTER To output just those locations with a specific code number key in the desired code then press EN TER Step 4 dt mm dd yy will then be displayed with the last date used You can keep this date the same or key in the current date press ENTER Step 5 id will appear If you wish to use an I...

Page 37: ... supplied with the remote that will allow you to attach the remote to the dashboard of the vehicle within easy reach To use the remote pull it off the mounting location point it towards the DMI and press the desired function keys The remote control is powered by a standard 9 volt battery To gain access to the battery for replacement remove the two 2 screws on the back of the remote control unplug ...

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Page 39: ...Chapter 5 Troubleshooting 5 1 Chapter 5 Troubleshooting ...

Page 40: ...his will be displayed if you select an invalid Print function Any print request other than 5 6 7 or 8 will be considered invalid This code tells you that the last memory location 999 has been used Any further entries into memory will overwrite what had previouslybeenstoredinmemorylocation999 Priortocontinuing you should dump the memory to the printer or via the RS 232 output to your computer Erase...

Page 41: ...ormation on how to enter a number 2 Ensure that you are attached to the speed sensor output It is gen erally at the transmission or the rear differential If you are unsure about being attached to the correct output disconnect the plug and move the vehicle If the speedometer does not function you have chosen the cor rect plug wires 3 Perform a Sensor Test Locate the Sensor Test button on the front ...

Page 42: ...be tween the Tap and Test positions four or five times Note that when the switch is turned clockwise until it stops it is at the Test position The DMI should register The count shown does not matter just as long as the DMI did register a count If it did count the cable from the MDS to the DMI and the instrument itself are OK If the DMI did not count the problem is most likely a bad cable to the DM...

Page 43: ... to make sure they are tight and at the correct locations 2 There may be a problem with the telephone jack on the power signal cable Check to make sure the contacts are not bent 3 Check the fuse between the MDS and the battery If the internal filament is broken the fuse has been blown Q My DMI counts in increments of 2 5 10 etc What s wrong A Your calibration number is too high The calibration num...

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Page 45: ...Appendix A 1 Appendix ...

Page 46: ...or Input Pin 3 Red DPO Pin 4 Black Signal Ground RS 232 Output Connector Pin 1 Blue Not Used Pin 2 Yellow Ground Pin 3 Green RS 232 In Pin 4 Red RS 232 Out Pin 5 Black Not Used Pin 6 White Not Used RS 232 Output Format Baud bps 300 to 19200 Start Bits 1 Data Bits 8 Stop Bits 1 Parity None 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 A 2 ...

Page 47: ... DISPLAY HOLD Freezes display without loss of distance count PRE DISTANCE Capability of starting at known distance orAdd Subtract de sired distance value from current distance display INTERVAL DISTANCE Display of Distance Interval between events DISTANCE PULSE OUTPUT 0 5 VDC low going high user selectable in terval and duration SENSOR ERROR DETECTION Checks for sensor error due to vehicle s dynami...

Page 48: ...survey and turn off the printer when it is not in use Step 1 Make sure the POWER switch on both the DPU 414 and the RAC 200 are in the OFF position Step 2 Using the interface cable provided plug the snap in or 9 pin connector into the DATA port on the RAC 200 and the 25 pin D type connector into the top receptacle on the back of the DPU 414 printer Two screws on the connector can be tightened to e...

Page 49: ...tep 1 Using your thumb pull the paper holder toward the back of the Printer Fig A 1 Step 2 Lift the cover upwards Step 3 Turn power switch ON Step 4 Cut or fold the paper into an inverted V Fig A 2 Step 5 Place the paper roll onto the inside of the cover Step 6 Push the top of the paper into the inlet and feed it by hand un til you can see the top of the paper from the paper cutter Step 7 Press an...

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Page 51: ...Glossary G 1 Glossary ...

Page 52: ...on received over a set distance This number should be as near to 0 500 1 200 as possible and is necessary for the DMI to count Page 3 2 CLR Clear black button on the DMI that resets the distance or time to zero Page 4 4 C Hold Count Hold red button on the DMI which stops the compu tation of distance pulses Page 4 2 D Hold Display Hold red button on the DMI which stops the display but allows the DM...

Page 53: ...to print data Page 4 7 pulses signals generated by a vehicle which when conditioned through a sensor are read by the DMI to calculate distance traveled Page 1 3 pulse rate the frequency at which pulses are sent to the DMI They can vary from 4 000 to more than 100 000 per mile Page 1 3 P Dist Pre Distance yellow button on the DMI it allows you to enter a known distance into the DMI Page 4 3 RAC Roa...

Page 54: ...ed time or speed Page 4 3 unit gray button on the DMI it selects the desired unit of measurement from miles to feet to meters Page 4 3 View yellow button on the RAC 200 it is used for the memory view procedure Page 4 7 WinRAC software available from JAMAR for use with the RAC 200 The program can analyze data downloaded from the RAC 200 as well as collect data in a real time mode Page 4 12 G 4 ...

Page 55: ...G 5 Notes ...

Page 56: ...RAC 100 and 200 User s Manual G 6 ...

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