Lap timer

[Cookie5ltr]

I’ve just installed the latest version of the lap timers.
also setting up the IR SENSORS, my pc doesn’t have a parallel port!!!
can I buy the usb to parallel port cable and it will work? Or what can I do plz!!! HELP NEEDED!!!
HELP
HELP
HELP
HELP!!!

[BigBadBuzz]

From what I have read on various slot car forums, many people have had problems getting a USB to Parallel converter cable to work. The suggestions tend to be either:

• Find an old computer with a real parallel port, or buy a plug-in card for your current computer that provides a real parallel port.
• Use a USB to serial adapter cable and follow the UR 3.0 directions for connecting to a serial port: http://www.uracerweb.org/english/hel...rcuit/com.html
• Use a more complex interface like a Phidget. But those are more money, and are overkill if all you want to do is count / time laps.

I hope this helps…

Regards,
BBB

[RichD]

I have a Trackmate interface unit that has a serial output, but my laptop computer only has USB inputs. I bought a serial to USB adaptor, that is not just a plain cable, it also includes some electronics and a software driver has to be installed for the computer to see it. Parallel to USB adapters are also available, but I have not seen a report of anyone getting one of those to work.
Besides the alternatives suggested in the previous post you could also use an Arduino board, software like Race Coordinator should work with those. A more expensive solution is to use the newer Trackmate interface unit that has a USB output. The Trackmate unit works with Trackmate, UR 3, Race Coordinator and SlotTrak software and has connections for track call buttons and track power relays.

[BigBadBuzz]

Cookie5ltr:

Did you get things working, and if so, with what interface? Let us know how it turned out!

BBB

[Pokitren]

From what I have read on various slot car forums, many people have had problems getting a USB to Parallel converter cable to work. The suggestions tend to be either:

• Find an old computer with a real parallel port, or buy a plug-in card for your current computer that provides a real parallel port.
• Use a USB to serial adapter cable and follow the UR 3.0 directions for connecting to a serial port: http://www.uracerweb.org/english/hel...rcuit/com.html
• Use a more complex interface like a Phidget. But those are more money, and are overkill if all you want to do is count / time laps.

I hope this helps…

Regards,
BBB

The connector solution is one of the most glitchy, as my friend's tests showed. In the end, he put a board with a parallel port - everything worked.