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Overview:
Timestoppers come in four models: the T-III, the T-IV series, the TS100 series, and TS200 series.
The T-III is our lowest cost Timestopper (now available at a close-out price). It is a judge of finishing order (i.e. place positions) on two or three-lane tracks. It’s sensors are only used at your finish line.
The T-IV series is our newest low-cost Timestopper. It is also a judge of finishing order. It can be ordered to accomodate anywhere from 1 to 5 lanes, and it displays place results for every lane. It’s sensors are only used at your finish line.
The TS100 series and TS200 series additionally capture lane times, and can be ordered to accomodate anywhere from 1 to 5 lanes. They may be used with a computer, so they come equipped to work with a variety of race-management software on your computer. A computer-cable and software are options that can be purchased separately below. A unique feature of the TS200 series Timestopper is that it can be used out-of-doors in full sunlight and requires no overhead lighting at the finish line.
Unlike competing products that use slower-acting and less precise micro-switches at either the start-gate or finish-line of a race, all Timestoppers use only precise light-activated sensors.
All of our products are in stock. Add to Cart buttons for each of these products are provided below, alongside links to documentation pages. At the bottom of this page is a View Cart button to complete your order using PayPal’s Secure Online Payment services and to select a shipping method. Or contact us at Intelligent Automation by using the mailing address, phone number, or email address given beneath the “View Cart” button near the bottom. Call or email for arrangements to ship outside the continental USA.
Detailed Descriptions and Ordering:
Timestoppers are highly accurate electronic timing systems designed for Pinewood Derby races, where they serve as track timers, also known as lane timers or race timers. They are also used in science experiments and in races of other names such as Awana Grand Prix, Shape N Race, Kub Kar Rally, and races by Royal Rangers, Christian Service Brigade, and Royal Ambassador. Since 1982, Scouts have used Intelligent Automation's Timestopper timers and judges to not only assure successful and efficient race events, but to quantify subtle design enhancements to their cars (or other vehicles). By using Timestopper timers to repeatedly test car speed for faster race times from a track's start gate to its finish line, Scouts discover the winning secrets of Pinewood Derby car design, care and maintenance. [Since 1982, "Timestopper" and "Timestoppers" have been Intelligent Automation's trademark names for its line of Pinewood Derby timers and Pinewood Derby judges, also known as Pinewood timers and Pinewood judges.]
Timestoppers come in four basic models: the T-III, the T-IV series, the TS100 series, and the TS200 series. The T-III and T-IV are finish line judging system. The T-III is for either a two or three lane track. The T-IV series Timestoppers can be ordered for either a two, three, four, or five lane track. The TS100 and TS200 series Timestoppers can be ordered for either a one, two, three, four, or five lane track. The TS100 and TS200 are both race timers and judging systems combined, and come complete with a computer-serial-interface (RS-232) for use with our recommended race-management software, such as GrandPrix Race Manager by GrandPrix Software Central, or even with a simple terminal program. The T-III, T-IV, and TS100 require user-provided illumination over the finish line, whereas the TS200 does not. All Timestoppers use photosensors. The Timestopper TS200 (Pat. No. 7,285,035) is the first to introduce the use of feather-light collision blocks placed over photosensors on the finish line where they function as precision timestopping sensors. All units require the installation of sensors on the track; refer to the their documentation links provided below. All sensors and sensor cables are included. Timestopper Pinewood Derby timers and finish line judges are backed by a 90 day warranty from the factory.
All Timestoppers are housed in a durable, hand-holdable, plastic control case complete with a display and a power switch. Each of the T-IV, TS100, and TS200 units also includes a pushbutton for resetting and for cycling its display. Both Timestopper T-III and T-IV cases are shown below (not to scale).
On a T-III case, a pair of green and yellow LEDs for each lane indicate the place results of a race. On a T-IV series case, the display uses an LED for each lane, each of which is given a different flash rate to indicate place results.
On the TS100 and TS200 series cases, the display is an LCD type. The display of a TS100 or TS200 indicates with a moving dash that a race is in progress and then, as shown below in close-ups of the display window, indicates the elapsed time and placement for each lane. The front panel pushbutton of a TS100 or TS200 is used to sequence the displaying of 1st, 2nd ... 5th place lane results (up to the number of lanes as purchased). Each push displays the place position and elapsed time for another lane. Races are timed with a TS100 or TS200 to millisecond accuracy. Holding this pushbutton down longer resets the timer for the next race. When using race-management software, available from 3-rd parties, it is not necessary to use the front panel pushbutton. The TS-100 and TS-200 Timestoppers include an RS-232 serial connector but not an RS-232 cable.
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| T-III case (has display of LEDs) |
T-IV case (showing display of LEDs for 5 lane unit) |
TS100 or TS200 display showing "2nd place, lane 2" |
TS100 or TS200 display showing elapsed time of 2.828 seconds |
- T-III Timestopper judges the first, second, and third place order that cars cross the finish line in each race on your three lane track. Overall winners across many races may be chosen by running multiple heats, with winners of prior heats racing in later heats. It can also be used on a two-lane track for determining first and second place. A photosensor is installed in each lane of the track at the finish line where a passing car will interrupt light from your overhead lighting. The unit is powered by a single 9 volt battery (not included).
(See T-III documentation.)
- 3 Lanes $85 (close-out sale price)
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- T-IV Timestopper judges the order that cars cross the finish line in each race on your track, and can be ordered for tracks with from two to five lanes. Overall winners across many races may be chosen by running multiple heats, with winners of prior heats racing in later heats. A photosensor is installed in each lane of the track at the finish line where a passing car will interrupt light from your overhead lighting. The unit is powered by a single 9 volt battery (not included).
(See T-IV documentation.)
- TS100 Timestopper determines the place order as well as the time each car takes from the start line to the finish line in a given race. Overall winners across many races may be chosen by identifying the car with the best race time(s). A photosensor is used to sense the opening of your track's start gate, to determines the start of each race. As with a T-III or T-IV Timestopper, a photosensor is also installed in each lane of the track at the finish line where a passing car will interrupt light from your overhead lighting. A TS100 and can be ordered for tracks with from one to five lanes. A computer serial interface (RS-232) is standard, but the RS-232 cable listed below should be ordered if ordering software. A 110-volt wall transformer power unit is also included.
(See TS100 documentation.)
- TS200 Timestopper (Pat. No. 7,285,035) determines the place order as well as the individual racing time of each car in a given race from the start line to the finish line. As with a TS100 Timestopper, overall winners across many races may be chosen by identifying the car with the best race time(s). As with a TS100 Timestopper, a photosensor that senses the opening of your track's start gate determines the start of each race. Unique to the TS200 Timestopper, special timestopping collision blocks are placed at the finish line, one in each lane. Each collision block sits over a special photosensor installed in an associated lane of the track. As each car crosses the finish line, it strikes a collision block and propels the block off of the finish line. These propelled collision blocks add a level of excitement not provided by any other timing or judging products. Since each collision block weighs less than a tenth of an ounce and is made of a light foam material, these collisions cannot damage a car or its finish. Unlike the T-III, T-IV, or TS100 Timestoppers, no overhead lighting is required for the photosensors, and they can be used out-of-doors in full sunlight. A TS200 and can be ordered for tracks with from one to five lanes. A computer serial interface (RS-232) is standard, but the RS-232 cable listed below should be ordered if ordering software. A 110-volt wall transformer power unit is also included.
(See TS200 documentation.)
- Race Management Software (For description of this software, see GrandPrix Race Manager) Only the TS-100 and TS-200 Timestoppers can use race management software.
- GrandPrix Race Manager (Latest Version) $60
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- Phototransistor Sensor As a convenience to our customers, we offer a replacement phototransistor sensor that can be used to replace a broken finish sensor on a lane of a T-III, T-IV, or TS-100 Timestopper. Sensor assembly notes are provided here including a schematic with wiring details.
- Spare Set of Three Collision Blocks For our TS200 Timestopper customers (having TS200 units for 1 to 5 lanes), we offer a spare set of three collision blocks.
- Spare Set of Three Collision Blocks $9.95
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- Slotted Photosensor As a convenience to electronic hobbyists, we also offer a photo-logic slotted photosensor mounted onto a custom printed circuit board (PCB) complete with a 0.01uF decoupling capacitor. This sensor is identical to that used for each finish-lane as part of our TS200 Timestopper, but each without the foam block. It is also identical to that used for each start sensor on our TS100 and TS200 Timestoppers. The slot width is 0.047". The slot depth is 0.110". The printed circuit board measures 1.5" by 0.5", with the slot of the photosensor centered and running parallel to the 0.5" dimension. Sensor specifications and application notes are provided here along with a schematic with wiring details. These slotted photosensors are useful in applications such as sensing physical disturbance to objects, sensing window and door disturbances for burglar alarms, object presence detection, position encoding such as for end-stop control, position calibration, automatic event-triggering such as for a camera, timing detection, synchronizing actuators, and many others.
- Slotted Photosensor (PCB mounted) $10
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- Lot of 10EA Slotted Photosensors (each PCB mounted) $80
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- Repair Orders As a service to our customers who have called and requested parts and/or labor for a repair, use the following "Add to Cart" button once, and insert in the process the appropriate quantity as a multiplier, in order to effect your payment of pre-arranged charges:
(Standard shipping for most items is UPS Ground, but other choices are available during checkout.
Call or email for arrangements to ship outside the continental USA.)
Intelligent Automation Company
850 Park Ave. 6A
Capitola, CA 95010-2344
Phone: (831) 475-5629
Email: Intelligent Automation!
Copyright © 2007 Intelligent Automation Co.
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