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The first step in troubleshooting
is to determine whether the problem you are having is due to a defect in the
equipment, or a flaw in the way it is being operated. There are many things
that could go wrong with the equipment, such as failed components, dead batteries,
defective cables, defective start gate switch, improper computer set up, etc.
But the place to start troubleshooting
is to make sure you are following the Three Rules when operating your finish
line. Failure to follow these rules accounts for 86% of problem reports.
| Rule
1 |
Add Power
Last |
The
first thing the Judge or Transponder does when power is applied is to count the
number of lanes. If there is no illumination of the sensors, the number will be
zero, and your finish line will not work. Your illuminator assembly must be aligned
under the Judge and plugged in to the socket above the batteries. The light over
the Transponder must be shining down on all sensors. Only then, install the batteries.
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| Rule
2 |
Check
Your Start Switch |
The
start switch must be an open circuit when the gate is open, and a closed circuit
when the gate is closed. |
| Rule 3 |
Keep Your Gate Closed |
Open your gate
only to release the cars. You may wait until the cars cross the finish line if
you want to avoid vibrating the track. But don't wait until the end of the reset
cycle. The finish line is "hot" then, and is sensitive to gate transitions.
You risk starting a race you didn't intend to, and your racing results will get
out of sequence. |
Help! Sometimes things get out of sequence
during a derby, and the computer is reporting impossibly long times!
It is likely you closed the start gate when
the Judge was hot (green light flashing), and did not do it cleanly, accidentally
starting a race you didn't mean to. Always close the gate right
after the cars are away, certainly before the red display ends. During
this period, The Judge ignores the start switch. But after the green light
is flashing, The Judge is ready, and cannot distinguish between an oooops, a
switch bounce, or the start of a real race. The Judge issues a text warning
if it finds the start gate open, but derby software packages do not act on this
warning. You are allowed to close the gate at that point if you do it cleanly,
but on older Judges there is no way to be sure the timer didn't start.
If you have a J Series Judge, or a Transponder,
the green light will tell you the status of the timer, so you will know if it
is ready (winking) or busy (dark).
Help! My
Computer does not seem to be picking up the start signal from the start
gate switch.
If you are using a start gate that uses a hinged aluminum angle as the
peg bar (BestTrack or New Directions solenoid gates), it is likely that
your magnetic switch is not properly mounted. Keep in mind that the switch
actually operates when the distance between the magnet and switch is about
1.0 inch. A hinged aluminum angle does not allow enough displacement when
the gate opens to achieve this separation if you mount the magnetic switch
so that the elements are close together when the gate is closed.
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The solution is to
separate the elements by 5/8" to 3/4" (about the width of your finger
tip) when the gate is closed. Now, when the gate opens, the distance will
be about an inch and a quarter, and the Judge will pick up the time = zero
signal.
The photo at the left
shows the magnetic switch mounted on a BestTrack. Note that the two elements
are separated by a finger width when the gate is closed. The position of the
magnetic switch is easily adjustable by loosening the nut and sliding the
assembly.
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If you have an aluminum track, ground it.
A large chunk of metal isolated on a wooden or linoleum floor can build up considerable
electrostatic charge, especially in winter when the humidity is low. You know
how a spark can jump from your finger to the doorknob after walking across the
floor? Same thing, only the track is a lot bigger than a doorknob, and has a
lot more electrical capacity. If you plug your computer into electronic finish
lines or other items near the metal track, you could damage your computer with
one of those sparks. Secure a wire under one of the track's assembly screws,
and run it over to a metal electrical conduit or cold water pipe. Make a good
solid connection, not a tentative one.
Help! I can't seem to make communication between
the Judge and my computer. Is there a good way to tell whether the Judge or
cables are defective, or if my computer just not set up properly? Yes! Do
the Paper Clip Test.
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Why does this
work?
Click HERE
to find out
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Unpower the Judge. Select
a small paper clip, not the big size. Straighten it out, and bend it back on
itself with tips even and nearly touching. Unplug the serial cable at the computer
(or USB converter), and insert the paper clip tips in holes 2 and 3. Note numbering
system of top row of 5 begins at the upper right corner. Now power up the Judge,
and if you get a DOUBLE light show (instead of a single light show), it means
the Judge and computer cable connections are good.
Help! Everything appears
to work correctly, but once in a while the race management software picks up
some obviously erroneous results. If you are using 120 volts
near your track, make sure you are not laying the power cord along the modular
cable running from the Judge to the start gate. We have confirmed that there
is enough electrical field surrounding a common extension cord to corrupt the
data being transmitted to your computer.
Help! My illuminator
board does not light up! Right.
It is emitting infrared light. You cannot see the light, but that doesn't
mean it is not there. I get at least 20 calls per season about this. See
the note at the top of this page regarding the new illuminator diodes currently
being used.
Help! My Judge won't work outside!
See Sunlight
Max.
Help! The Judge won't detect the cars.
I can make it trigger only when I put my finger right against the sensors!
Your room is aglow
with natural light from windows, doors, or there are strong incandescent lights
shining on The Judge. Reduce the amount of natural or incandescent lighing,
and use florescent lighting instead.
Help! How do you suggest mounting the Junction
Board and magnetic switch on the metal Freedom Track? Here
is a location that works well, the top panel of the pylon. Make sure to install
those black plastic spacers. Otherwise the wiring will short out on the track.
Help! The red lights initially flash, but
then nothing works! The
power must be applied LAST. You must have the illuminator assembly
plugged in and the emitters aligned with the sensors directly above. The first
thing the Judge does when it gets power is to count the number of lanes in your
track. If you install the batteries before the illuminator assembly is connected
and aligned under the Judge, The Judge will think that your track has zero lanes,
and behave accordingly. Make sure your connections are all complete,
align the illuminators under the Judge, and THEN apply power.
Help! I can't make the microswitch work reliably
with my start gate! In
2001, I changed to a magnetic switch for the start gate, and this complaint
has gone away. The magnetic switch adjustment is not critical: sort
of like a hand grenade, close is good enough, and much more reliable.
For Judge owners with the old micro switch, you can find a magnetic switch at
Radio Shack. Or I could supply it, but with postage, it will be more.
Help! I removed the screws on the bottom,
just trying to... (you name it), and now things rattle around inside and I can't
make things tight again!
Removing the screws will not help you open up The Judge, if that is what you
were trying to do. Slip a butter knife under the end caps to cut the adhesive.
Remove end caps, and shake out the flat spring nuts. If you have lost
any, send $3 and a SASE. Using a tweezer or small needle nose pliers,
put the nuts back on the screws. Glue the end caps in place with GE Silicone
II. If you are curious as to what is inside The Judge, send $10 and a
SASE, and I will send you the complete schematic diagram. The microprocessor
code is proprietary. Attempting self repair or modifying your Judge will
be expensive: it will void your warranty.
Help! The last cub master wrote lane numbers
on the Judge with a permanent marker, and did a very sloppy job. Can it
be cleaned? Probably. During manufacture, I scrub
the plastic with Comet on a green Scotch Guard pad. If you lose the gold
label in the process, give me a call, and I will send you a new one.
Help! I cannot make computer contact with
The Judge, either in HyperTerminal or my derby software program. The
most common reason for this is that your computer has been configured to boot
up with the serial port already assigned to a Palm Pilot or similar device.
This prevents other programs from accessing the port. Look for the device
icon in the tray at the lower edge of your screen, right click, and close it.
Help! My computer has only USB ports, not
serial. Stop by your Best Buy or other computer store and get a USB-Serial
cable. We also offer this item at $19. This device makes your USB
computer think it has a serial port. Most Judge owners want to be at the
start line with their computer, and USB signals do not travel over long cables.
Serial messages easily travel on long cables, so this is most practical
format at this time.
Help! I lost my instructions, and need to
know the Serial Port settings in Hyperterminal. 9600 bits per second,
8 Data Bits, 1 Stop Bit, and No Parity.
Help! The GrandPrix Help
Menu has recently been altered to contain one or the other of the following
statements regarding the Judge: Since it refers to the Judge's reset display
"dancing lights" how can I know if there are any problems with the
new Transponder, which has no display?
| 2. No race results - If you are manually clicking
on the Ready Timer button before each heat, do not click that button if the
timer is going through its auto reset sequence (light dance). The timer may
get confused if it receives any commands from the software when it is doing
its auto reset. |
or
| Note on The JUDGE: The Judge timer has an automatic reset
sequence that will start about 20 seconds after a finish. Do not click on
the "Ready Timer" or "Rerun Heat" button while the timer
is doing its reset. This will lead to the Judge not being able to transmit
the next set of times. Either click on the "Ready Timer" button
before the auto reset sequence starts or wait until it is over |
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Neither statement is true.
There are 5226 Judges out there as of the end of 2012, and used with Hyperterminal,
RaceView, DerbyMaster and GPRM continually for 18 years. Any such problem would
have been discovered and corrected long ago. No customer has ever reported such
behavior. No changes have ever been made to the reset section of the firmware
versions. No Judge will fail to transmit accurate race results by simply
sending the reset command during the reset sequence (light dance). The operation
of a Judge or Transponder is best understood by looking at it directly in Hyperterminal.
We are working with this software supplier,
Lisano Enterprises to understand why these statements are appearing in their
otherwise great software, and expect to have this matter resolved soon.
Transponders manufactured after March 30, 2013
will offer an additional red LED next to the green timer
status LED, which will blink quickly six times just prior to reset as a final
reminder to close your gate. It will also demonstrate what Judge owners already
know: that reset commands are processed as follows:
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1. A reset command (GPRM calls it Ready Timer)
issued during the power-up or all subsequent reset sequences will result in
the command being stored until the end of the sequence and cause a second sequence
immediately after the first has completed. It will only store one. In other
words if you issued five commands, it would only cause one more complete reset
sequence.
2. A reset command issued at any other time
will cause an unconditional immediate reset sequence.
3. The Judge (any version) or the Transponder
will never fail to return accurate race results by a reset command issued at
any time.
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