alexis in greece Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 (edited) I finally decided to make the jump and use RC.I was sceptical but in the end it was really easy,i just used my home made harness connected to a desktops parallel port and everything worked just fine.But i have some (dump?) questions: -when setting up a track menu choice Basic guided track setup vanished after i added 2 new tracks, something i did wrong? -i understand that connecting parallel port harness to a usb->parallel cable is not possible to work or i am missing something ?And if i am not missing something the only way to go is the arduino one? -is it possible to import driver and car data from a text or excel file? -is there a way to copy/transfer/import data (drivers,cars,races,tracks) from one computer to another? Thanks in advance Edited February 3, 2016 by alexis in greece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 (edited) The only way to usb is via an interface board, Ardunio is the cheapest option. You cannot import from text or excell. I think you can copy from one PC to another, I just don' t remember. This link should help with copying. http://www.racecoordinator.net/faq.html There is also a thread on Slotforum about copying from PC to PC I only use expert setup so cannot help with the guide. Edited February 3, 2016 by kalbfellp Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazza Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 You can copy from one pc to another, it's all converted to the in house "jason file", but both or all the pc's have to have the exact information on them, ie the drivers names and nicknames must be exact for any information to be stored on the new pc. When set up right you can continue an event on different pc's just by transfering the jason file from one to the next, great for when you going from track to track in different locations I don't know if the new versions do but the earlier ones enabled you to put up results, via an excel sheet, onto the web Quote Quickly read this post before it is deleted or i turn grey again Gary http://www.facebook.com/Rallyproxy2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow_rusty Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 For copying the database between machines, you need to remember... 1. ALL config settings will be overwritten on the target machine. 2. ALL Drivers / Tracks / Races will be overwritten on the target machine. 3. Lap records / etc will be overwritten on the target machine. Now that that is out of the way, there are 2 locations for the database... Windows XP c:\documents and settings\all users\application data\race coordinator\RC.DB Windows Vista+ c:\program data\race coordinator\rc.db Note: you will need to be able to 'see' hidden files / folders to get into those folders. Quote Stolen from SlotsNZ Team ABC Team Leader (Ambitious, But Crap) Home Track Threads - Shadow's Semi-Permanent Layout & Another Rug Racer & Proud of It & Gymkhana Test Track Car Collection Thread - My Car Collection Charts / Diagrams - MJK Tyre Selector / Slot.it 4wd Gearing / PoliCar Rollout / Rollout Chart Generator / SCX 4wd Rollout / Track Wiring with Brake on Track Call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow_rusty Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 1-i understand that connecting parallel port harness to a usb->parallel cable is not possible to work or i am missing something ?And if i am not missing something the only way to go is the arduino one? 2-is it possible to import driver and car data from a text or excel file? 3-is there a way to copy/transfer/import data (drivers,cars,races,tracks) from one computer to another? Had a massive brain fart, and only answered one of the issues... 1 - USB -> Parrallel cables do NOT work for timing systems... Arduino is just 1 option for usb timing, and is generally the cheapest. The other main option is TrackMate USB. Whilst it's much more expensive, it is also compatable with other timing applications. 2 - Unless you are very familiar with editing SQLite databases, no, it's not possible. 3 - "As Above" Quote Stolen from SlotsNZ Team ABC Team Leader (Ambitious, But Crap) Home Track Threads - Shadow's Semi-Permanent Layout & Another Rug Racer & Proud of It & Gymkhana Test Track Car Collection Thread - My Car Collection Charts / Diagrams - MJK Tyre Selector / Slot.it 4wd Gearing / PoliCar Rollout / Rollout Chart Generator / SCX 4wd Rollout / Track Wiring with Brake on Track Call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caddo Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 I'd be interested in converting from Trackmate to Arduino in the future due to the lower cost, if/when my Trackmate module dies. How many track owners are actually using Arduino without ongoing problems? In my experience, Trackmate is trouble free and very user friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) 4 Ardunios running down here, no problems. Good quality USB cables with ferrite cores fitted. Trakmate interface do not usually have any problems UNLESS there is a wiring issue. We had 8 tracks using Trakmate since they became available,not one problem with the board. One of the guys in Launceston had a problem with the relay output BUT only because of voltage being fed into the relay connections! Main reason for changing to Ardunio is because of newer PC's. Edited February 4, 2016 by kalbfellp Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imugford Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Im using an ardunio with a deadstrip, no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caddo Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Thanks for the feedback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexis in greece Posted February 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Next question,Arduino uno is the one correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 You can use the Uno or if you need more outputs the Mega. Download RC and look at Track set up configure interface. Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow_rusty Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 I'd be interested in converting from Trackmate to Arduino in the future due to the lower cost, if/when my Trackmate module dies. How many track owners are actually using Arduino without ongoing problems? In my experience, Trackmate is trouble free and very user friendly. There are at least 7x tracks in Canberra using the Arduino setup, with little to no issues... It's only real Achilles heal I've seen, is the USB cable. I've had some PC / Arduino combinations that have 'rejected' at least 10 different makes/models of USB cables. But, I have yet to find one that I can't get to work reliably. Whilst I am a massive advocate of the Arduino setup, and have no personal experience with the trackmate system, I still think that the trackmate system is the superior hardware. That said, for their price point, the Arduino it a fantasticly awesome bit of gear. Quote Stolen from SlotsNZ Team ABC Team Leader (Ambitious, But Crap) Home Track Threads - Shadow's Semi-Permanent Layout & Another Rug Racer & Proud of It & Gymkhana Test Track Car Collection Thread - My Car Collection Charts / Diagrams - MJK Tyre Selector / Slot.it 4wd Gearing / PoliCar Rollout / Rollout Chart Generator / SCX 4wd Rollout / Track Wiring with Brake on Track Call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry J Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Rusty, do you have a link to the latest Arduino sketch? Quote Cheers, Garry J Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow_rusty Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Unfortunately not at hand, but if you have a recent version installed, you can find it in "program files\race coordinator\data" somewhere... (Not 100% sure on the path off of the top of my head...) Quote Stolen from SlotsNZ Team ABC Team Leader (Ambitious, But Crap) Home Track Threads - Shadow's Semi-Permanent Layout & Another Rug Racer & Proud of It & Gymkhana Test Track Car Collection Thread - My Car Collection Charts / Diagrams - MJK Tyre Selector / Slot.it 4wd Gearing / PoliCar Rollout / Rollout Chart Generator / SCX 4wd Rollout / Track Wiring with Brake on Track Call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 "program files\race coordinator\data" Ardunio \ Lap counter Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow_rusty Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Thanks Phil... Quote Stolen from SlotsNZ Team ABC Team Leader (Ambitious, But Crap) Home Track Threads - Shadow's Semi-Permanent Layout & Another Rug Racer & Proud of It & Gymkhana Test Track Car Collection Thread - My Car Collection Charts / Diagrams - MJK Tyre Selector / Slot.it 4wd Gearing / PoliCar Rollout / Rollout Chart Generator / SCX 4wd Rollout / Track Wiring with Brake on Track Call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow_rusty Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 (edited) Nearly forgot to mention... If you have a 64bit Operating System, you will need the following path instead... "C:\Program Files (x86)\Race Coordinator\data\arduino\lapCounter" Edited February 5, 2016 by shadow_rusty Quote Stolen from SlotsNZ Team ABC Team Leader (Ambitious, But Crap) Home Track Threads - Shadow's Semi-Permanent Layout & Another Rug Racer & Proud of It & Gymkhana Test Track Car Collection Thread - My Car Collection Charts / Diagrams - MJK Tyre Selector / Slot.it 4wd Gearing / PoliCar Rollout / Rollout Chart Generator / SCX 4wd Rollout / Track Wiring with Brake on Track Call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry J Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Thanks guys Quote Cheers, Garry J Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexis in greece Posted February 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 (edited) A couple of more questions -I have created a race and i want to change and/or verify cetain settings ,for example "heat hot starts" ,but they dont show in expert race setup , am i missing something or it is imposssible? -is it possible to have power on at start and off at heat end?I 've chosen hot starts but what i get is either both on or both off by manually switching on/off the relay. Relay is on pin #2 of parallel port Edited February 11, 2016 by alexis in greece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow_rusty Posted February 11, 2016 Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 Every setting from the wizard can be modified with the expert setup, but some are labelled differently, and some are in weird places... Which ones in particular are you looking for? The "Hot Start" setting is where you set the power during countdown. Unfortunately, with the current software, you will need to turn the power back on manually at the end of the heat once the drivers have changed lanes. Quote Stolen from SlotsNZ Team ABC Team Leader (Ambitious, But Crap) Home Track Threads - Shadow's Semi-Permanent Layout & Another Rug Racer & Proud of It & Gymkhana Test Track Car Collection Thread - My Car Collection Charts / Diagrams - MJK Tyre Selector / Slot.it 4wd Gearing / PoliCar Rollout / Rollout Chart Generator / SCX 4wd Rollout / Track Wiring with Brake on Track Call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexis in greece Posted February 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 I looked a again and found everything under scoring ,thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexis in greece Posted February 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 OK i decided to go the arduino way .When trying to configure the board I get the message:incorrect sketch version .please use 1.0.0.7.Then i noticed that the version included in the arduuino data folder is 1.0.0.8 .Where do i get 1.0.0.7 or what am i doing wrong?I have downloaded rc version 1.9.0.0 Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 You probably have the wrong port selected. When you upload the sketch to the board check what port the board is connected to. You need to select the correct port,to get the sketch to upload.the Ardunio software does not look for the port it must be manually selected. Some generic Ardunio boards require a driver to be installed to communicate with the board, Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexis in greece Posted February 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Probably this is not the issue as i test uploaded the sample sketch provided by arduino and it uploads on com4 (led blinks).Also rc sketch file uploads on com4.If i try another port upload is not completed and i get an error message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 That is good Alexis. The PC is seeing the board via the Ardunio software. Now does RC see the board on Com Port 4? There should be a communication Led showing in the configuration screen. By the way there is no 1.0.0.7 sketch, just make sure that the sketch you are using is the one that came from the download of RC. Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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