by Kim Crosser on Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:06 pm
We all hope that was the problem.
In about 8 months, we will be hosting the 2007 Parade with (I have heard) 500+ Autocross participants in a single day. Imagine encountering these issues during that day...
I suggest that we need to address these "gremlins" permanently ASAP and be prepared for any and all issues next July. Addressing these now and testing in the AX events between now and July will help us avoid any unpleasant surprises then.
Suggestions:
1. Get a second laptop and have it as a backup (anyone remember the coffee incident?). Ideally, set them up with a LAN so that we can copy the info from one to the other in the trailer.
2. Build a second "black box", using shielded components, so it is less sensitive to RFI from power sources, etc.
3. Get shielded cable for all connections and redo the cables so they are RFI-resistant.
4. Have at least two complete sets of cables for the timing and mark all connection ends with cable tags so there is no confusion if we need to swap cables.
5. Make our start/stop boxes less sensitive to sunlight changes. Dick Schroeder and I were discussing this yesterday. What about using those two damaged "candle" cones in the trailer? Cut 4 "barrels", each about 6" long, glue some foam padding on one end of each and attach an elastic strap that would go around the boxes we put over the timing lights and reflectors (maybe with some small hardware - washers, bolts, etc., to hold the strap in place). These would be like camera or telescope light shields, and would virtually eliminate any stray light, especially late in the day when the sun is getting low. (Spray painting them flat black inside also helps cut down reflections.) Even if most of the gremlins were RFI issues, these couldn't hurt.
6. Think about getting some high-quality filtered power bars (i.e., Monster units). I don't know what kind of voltage regulation is built into the generator, but I can picture some spikes and valleys as other equipment (the air compressor) goes on and off, and the generator itself may be producing some noticeable RFI emissions.
I am willing to help with any and all of these.
Comments, suggestions?
2012 Panamera 4
2013 Cayenne
2008-2009 Treasurer