MacFinish 2HS 500 manual
2.4.1.1 Start detector/start pistol
The start detector (as shown below) is a little blue aluminium box, which should be attached to the
barrel of the starting pistol. If the detector cannot be attached to the barrel, it must be positioned at
a maximum distance of 10 cm from the pistol’s barrel.
Photo: Start detector
Note:
TimeTronics also offers their customers a DOUBLE CHANNEL start detector, which is
completely compatible with the (older) single channel (=standard) start detector. This double
channel version has TWO build-in start sensors, and two electronic circuits, to avoid a timing
problem if suddenly their would be a breakdown of a sensor. If
one or both
of these sensors detect
a starting shot, a start is given to the MacFinish system. But how can YOU test that both sensors
and corresponding circuits are still working correctly, even after a number of years? If you plug such
a double channel start detector
DIRECTLY
IN THE START CONNECTION OF THE MACFINISH
INTERFACE BOX (so not in the 12-wire cable reel or connection box on the track !), and you give it a
large shock
to simulate a start, you should see that both red leds (on the MacFinish Interface) will
light up during a few seconds. If only one of the leds flash, then one of the sensors inside the start
detector is damaged.
Note:
If you
smoothly
knock on one side of the start detector, for example with a finger, then only
ONE of the leds will illuminate. You can even test which sensor is mounted on the top of the start
detector, and which one is mounted on the opposite side of the detector.
2.4.1.2 Manual Start Push Button
If no starting pistol is used, a manual start push button can initiate the timing process. The timing
accuracy will be without correct 'electronic timing', but with 'manual timing accuracy'.
Photo: Manual Start Push Button
2.4.1.3 Cable to switch of starting gate
It is also possible to use your own switch (a normally open-contact, with a closing contact when the
race is started) to get the MacFinish system started. Do NOT worry if other people tell you that a
normally closed contact is much better, to be able to test the start cable BEFORE the start of the
race. This is because we have included a 2K2 resistor in parallel to the start switch, so that the
MacFinish system can also test the start cable, and give a warning beep if the cable is BROKEN or if
the cable is SHORT CIRCUITED. Our method is therefore better than a start switch with normally
closed contact, which can only test a broken cable...!
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