Solo Points 2 event April 7, 2012

[Erv]

I got the tripod today so we can mount the other reflector to it and hopefully solve our random no trips or double trips.

I am not sure it will, I believe the issue is the sun and how we have the lights set up. Because at a certain point in the day all we have to do is switch the sides and they work fine.

[Cholewa]

I am not sure it will, I believe the issue is the sun and how we have the lights set up. Because at a certain point in the day all we have to do is switch the sides and they work fine.

So what, we need a hood for the reflectors? That shouldn't be too hard to make out of construction paper

[claym]

A reflector from the hood? That will be interesting!

But I have seen places use plastic milk crates or similar to shade the lights (and sometimes the reflector sides).

[TouringBubble]

Swapping to tripod mounted reflectors could help. Basically, what happens in the evening is that the sun reaches a certain angle and reflects just right off of the cars in a way that mimics the IR signal from the light. So, if this happens, the light beam is not broken and the lights don't trip. This is why we can trip the lights successfully by hand but cars won't trip successfully. The cars may as well be mirrors when the sun is just right.

So, changing the angle of reflection could help. It seemed to be more reliable in testing, but not fool proof.

Also, people could bring dirty cars.

[fwman1]

Can't we just set up some sleeves to protect the lenses from spurious flashes of light. We're not bending that stuff you know. It sounds kinda cheezy, but it seems like a couple of toilet paper tubes/tissue boxes strategically duct taped in place should do the trick.

Rube Goldberg.

[rodhx]

I think Roger is on to something. That, or use our old reflectors in the crates. We didn't have these issues when those were being used. Simply set the old crates on something to get them to the height of the new light tripods.

[nicktcr]

Yeah the toilet paper rolls, or paper towel rolls, just spray painted black to look better could really work nicely...until it rains lol. But it's worth a shot!

[SamC]

Also, people could bring dirty cars.

I'll do my part.

[nicktcr]

Also, people could bring dirty cars.

Been doing this since day 1.

Haven't had a timing issue that I can remember.

[Cholewa]

So we just need to angle the light with the reflector instead of putting it at a perfectly perpendicular to the cars coming in.

Also take this into consideration when building the course and setting the lights/reflectors so that we can have them opposite of the direction they are giving us issues and not have to worry about an overzealous finisher taking out the expensive part.

[TouringBubble]

We can't angle the lights. That would move the finish depending on what side you were on. Not really ideal in terms of accurate timing.

And last event we tried to raise the boxed reflectors up by stacking. It helped, but did not solve the issue. I agree that we may need some type of shade for the light itself.

But, IMO, we have reflectors provided by TAG. You know, the people that designed the system. I'd rather use those than something rigged up in a milk crate just to set a base line and try to really solve this issue. Using the TAG reflectors also helps ease setup because they are the same height as the lights, meaning if attached correctly we only have to set the left/right positioning of the beam.

Someone mentioned that the old metal stands worked fine. But, they had issues when the surface was uneven or it was windy, and one of the clamps for the lights broke, so we had to change things. The tripods are much more sturdy on uneven asphalt, but it did change the alignment with the reflector boxes. Basically, we've swapped false trips in wind with no trips from reflections.

As a start, I suggest we set up the tripods with the TAG reflectors as planned. I will try to remember to grab some cheap plastic folders or something from WalMart tonight that we can use as a shade. We can hack them up and use gaff tape to attach for a test.

That okay for everyone?

As for the board not showing times for red cars ... I think it's just racist.

[claym]

We can't angle the lights. That would move the finish depending on what side you were on. Not really ideal in terms of accurate timing.

Actually, an angled finish has been used in this region and other regions with great success.


Say you have an angled finish where the left side of the finish gate trips the lights sooner than the right side. and the last feature before the finish makes you have a higher speed and pushes you towards the right side. It adds a technical feature to the course so people can decide whether to give up a little speed to trip lights earlier, or more speed and trip lights later (or a compromise in the middle). It is interesting to see different cars and drivers find the "sweet spot" for the finish.

I love the angle finish!

[JohnW8]

Are we clear tomorrow for the whole lot? I ask because there are cones set up and there's a"skid car" on site. They didn't double book did they?

[nicktcr]

Are we clear tomorrow for the whole lot? I ask because there are cones set up and there's a"skid car" on site. They didn't double book did they?

We booked. That's all we need to run the whole course, sukka!

But for serious, I thought I remembered someone asking this and hearing that we were all clear for the whole lot.

[e30Racer]

Are we clear tomorrow for the whole lot? I ask because there are cones set up and there's a"skid car" on site. They didn't double book did they?

Yes, we are clear for the whole lot. See u bright and early!!!!