on board computer to TSD rallying

[trevorcalgary]

It seems to me that using an on-board pc for TSD rally timing would be a practical use. But when I look for software the only one I find is a discontinued package.... http://www.compurally.com/

Is anyone using an on-board system for TSD rallys ? If so, what software are you using ?

Trevor

[galvitron]

Do you need all of its features or just timing? What special sensors and switches are you using?

I am writing some simple software to get lap times and I'm sure it could be adapted for other uses. Only problem is I have a ways to go on it...

[trevorcalgary]

Hello Galvitron

Most of the features are related to timing. I'm not sure that there is enough commonality between track timing and rally timing to make it convenient for you ... :-(

Sensors.....
i suppose it would be possible to take reading from the ODB feed, or find the electronic speedometer feed.. I would be inclined to use something more like: http://www.rallylights.com/Terratrip/probes.htm or a Hall-effect sensor or http://www.rally.cc/alfasu.htm

[galvitron]

Well as far as I can tell the problem with rally timing is that it is not a circuit but a stage that ends in a different place then where it starts. To get truly accurate timing there has to be a way to instantaneously tell when you cross the finish line. Hence, the sensors.

Otherwise it is just a button to start/stop like a stopwatch. So with these sensors there would probably need to be some custom software written to interface with them. Definitely doable because they are probably simple signals. But since I don't have them I will be unable to incorporate them into my timing software since I can't test...

[trevorcalgary]

Galvitron....

there typically isn't anything in the car that gets a signal when the vehicle ends the stage (in either Special Stage or TSD rallies). The co-driver/navigator will either press stop and then when they receive their time at Stage control (a location a couple of hundred metres past the end of stage) they will compare the times. In most cases accuracy only needs to be to the second (unless it is WRC of course). Several timers would be good... total time on the rally. stage time. Also some clocks, particularly rally time (one clock held by the Rally Master is the official time, having the ability to punch this time in would be good).

let me work up a document of something similar...

Trevor

[galvitron]

Yeah let me know what features you need and when I get around to doing some more work on it I will build that in.

So far I can see:

- Stage time
- Total time

with both starting when you press start and both stopping when you press stop. But the stage time would go to 0 when a "New stage" button was pressed or something.

Also:

- Ability to go back and revise the stage time if the officials give you a different time.
- Printout/report of all times and info