DIY Timing System

[RobbyObby]

Hey all,
I am currently designing a timing system for our team to use during testing. The reason for building my own system is simply the sheer cost of off the shelf systems, which often run upwards of $500. Has anyone designed a similar system before that would like to give some insight?
Timing for autocross and acceleration are the most important so setting it up for lap times isnt a big concern although if possible it would be nice to include the possibiliy.
I am currently planning on using IR photogate sensors linked up to a digital lcd screen or a digital stopwatch to show times. I found a kit made by Kemo Electronics and sold in the UK (http://w w w .brocott.co.uk/electronic-diy-kits/timer-lighting-kits/infrared-stop-watch-kit-p-502.html) but i dont know whether it'll be easier/cheaper to design my own kit or integrate something like this. I am definitely electronically declined so this will be more of a learning experience for me than anything else.
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks.

[RobbyObby]

Hey all,
I am currently designing a timing system for our team to use during testing. The reason for building my own system is simply the sheer cost of off the shelf systems, which often run upwards of $500. Has anyone designed a similar system before that would like to give some insight?
Timing for autocross and acceleration are the most important so setting it up for lap times isnt a big concern although if possible it would be nice to include the possibiliy.
I am currently planning on using IR photogate sensors linked up to a digital lcd screen or a digital stopwatch to show times. I found a kit made by Kemo Electronics and sold in the UK (http://w w w .brocott.co.uk/electronic-diy-kits/timer-lighting-kits/infrared-stop-watch-kit-p-502.html) but i dont know whether it'll be easier/cheaper to design my own kit or integrate something like this. I am definitely electronically declined so this will be more of a learning experience for me than anything else.
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks.

[Pennyman]

Robbie,

Maybe you can post your progress and document it for the other people interested. I'm sure there are some other teams out there that could benefit from learning about assembling their own timing system.

[TMichaels]

Hey,
I built a timing system two years ago. The only thing you need is a micro-controller, a crystal, a small lcd, light gates, a housing and some chicken feed.
A tuned crystal sourcing a micro-controller is accurate enough to time FS cars. The micro-controller just needs to take the triggers from the light gates and to calculate the laptimes. These can then be displayed on a small LCD.
A very easy solution would be to buy an LCD-Stopwatch and to wire the light-gate to the start/stop- or sector-time-buttons.
The kit in the link also looks like a feasible solution if you are not into electronics.
If you want to learn something without getting into trouble with pcb layouts etc. have a look at Arduino-Boards.

Regards,

Tobias

[Luniz]

We are using a Timing device that consists of two light gates hooked up to a serial (RS232) port on a laptop. We have a VBA script that logs the laptimes and stores them as a *.csv file which makes the whole thing very convenient. It features three different presets, one for endu/autocross, one for skidpad (it can calculate the lateral g's as well...) and one for acceleration using the second light gate as well.

If you are into this solution I could try and convince the programmer to give me the sourcecode for that thing. The original version wouldn't be of much use since it is in German only ;-)

[RobbyObby]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The biggest reason i wanted to get this kit was for the exact reason you mentioned: I dont know enough about electronics and this is a good stepping stone project for me. I actually ordered this kit today so when it comes Ill update this post with my progress.

This system is generally only gonna be used for acceleration and autocross timing but I am also working with another team member on a system connecting photogates to a digital stopwatch to record lap times for endurance.