UNPACKING THE TIMER THE TIMER CONSOLE Turning on the
Contents
1. OFF for one or two minutes and then turn the switch ON leaving the AC adapter plugged in to operate the Transmitter Simultaneous Operation of Two MD 200 Timers If your event requires simultaneous operation of two complete timers both timers start and stop at the same time and provide backup for each other the MD 200 Electronic Timer can provide this ca pability However if two light sources Trans mitters are on at the same time and pointing in the same direction they may interfere with each other at the light detector unit Receiver and pre vent proper operation The following options are available to ensure proper operation 1 Set up both timers but turn on just one of the two Transmitters Both Receivers will see the beam but since the beam is coming from only one Transmitter there is no interference This provides fully redundant timing This also al lows you to switch to the second Transmitter after 6 8 hours of battery operation have ex pired on the first Transmitter and run for an other 6 8 hours on battery This is useful during long events 2 Set up both timers but have the pairs of eyes pointed in opposite directions I e each side of the arena will have a Transmitter and a Re ceiver With this configuration both Transmit ters can be on at the same time MD 200 User s Manual Page 7 MD 200 User s Manual Page 7 Cont d CARE OF YOUR TIMER Your new timer has been designed to withstan2. be high enough so that the light beam is broken by the horse s body not the legs Next place the eyes on opposite sides of the arena The eyes should be separated by about 50 to 175 feet Aim the Transmitter in the general direction of the Receiver and vice versa Then complete fi nal alignment as described below Carefully align the Transmitter Left to right align ment can be checked by looking down either line on the top of the Transmitter The line should point straight at the Receiver Up and down align ment of the Transmitter is checked by looking down the crack on the side of the unit Adjust the tilt such that the Receiver is directly in line when looking straight down the crack on the side of the Transmitter When tightening the tripod adjust ments after the alignments are made make sure the alignment is still good tightening the tripod knobs may move your previous adjustment MD 200 User s Manual Page 6 Alignment of the Receiver is not critical It just needs to be pointed both horizontally and verti cally in the general direction of the Transmitter To check the alignment follow the procedures out lined previously to turn on the Transmitter and connect the Receiver to the Timer Console Then turn on the Timer Console and press the ALIGN key If the eyes are properly aligned GOOD is displayed If not properly aligned BAD is dis played Even though the Timer Console may show GOOD if you ha
3. supports scoreboards from sev eral other manufacturers contact FarmTek for ad ditional information MD 200 User s Manual Page 3 Cont d THE ELECTRIC EYES The infrared light source Transmitter and infrared light detector Receiver are mounted on tripods on opposite sides of the arena When the light beam between them is broken the timer is either started or stopped As with the START STOP switch if the timer is not running breaking the beam resets the time to zero and starts the timer If the timer is running breaking the beam stops the timer the final time is shown on the display When the beam is broken the Timer Console peeps to alert you about the trigger After the beam is broken the timer ignores additional beam breaks for two seconds This prevents multiple triggers such as starting the timer with the horse s front legs and then immediately stopping the timer with the horse s hind legs The Receiver is connected to the Timer Console via a 125 foot cable This cable is used to signal the Timer Console when the light beam is broken The Transmitter needs no connection to the Timer Con sole A typical arena set up is shown below Transmitter Receiver Console in Announcer s Stand MD 200 User s Manual Page 4 Infrared Light Source Transmitter The Transmitter unit is labeled Transmitter on its rear panel The Transmitter outputs the infrared light beam that is detected by the Receiver The infra
4. timing can be resumed as if the timer were never stopped Since you can resume timing via the RESTART but ton you no longer have to worry about false trig MD 200 User s Manual Page 2 gers you can even purposely stop the timer to measure split times or to check a previous time See next section Recalling the Previous Rider s Time Have you ever missed recording a time because the next rider started the timer before you wrote down the original time Or maybe someone walked through the light beam or a piece of paper blew across and started the timer erasing the time of the last ride Well that s not a problem with the MD 200 Timer The PREVIOUS TIME button allows you to recall the previous rider s time The timer must be stopped to look at a previous time Simply press the PREVIOUS TIME button and hold the button down The previous time is dis played as long as the button is held down Release the button and the most recent time is restored For example let s say the next rider has started the timer before you recorded the last rider s time Simply wait until the new rider is finished and then display the previous rider s time by pressing the PREVIOUS TIME button If you don t want to wait stop the timer immediately by pressing the START STOP button don t worry we won t lose the current rider s timing Press the PREVIOUS TIME button to view the previous rider s time After re cording the time continue timin
5. MD 200 User s Manual Page 1 Congratulations on your timer purchase Your new timer should provide years of trouble free service To maximize the performance and life of your timer please read this user s manually carefully before using your timer It is important to familiarize yourself with the timer before at tempting to use it at your first event UNPACKING THE TIMER Your new timer comes in a protective carrying case Inside the case you ll find the following items e Timer Console MD 200 Electronic Timer e Infrared light source Transmitter e Infrared light detector Receiver e Camera tripods 2 e 125 foot cable e AC power adapters 2 THE TIMER CONSOLE The Timer Console is the heart of your new timer system The front of the Timer Console has four push buttons for controlling the timer and a time display The back of the Timer Console has four jacks for connecting power the light detector an optional horn and an optional scoreboard display These connections are each discussed in detail in later sections The best way to learn about your new timer is to use it Try each of the operations outlined in the following sections as you read through the manual Tuming on the Timer Console The Timer Console must be plugged into a stan dard wall outlet to operate Using either of the AC power adapters provided they re identical insert the small plug into the POWER jack on the rear of the Timer Console a
6. al Page 4 Cont d Checking Rechargeable Battery Condition A lamp on the rear panel of the Transmitter pro vides an indication of battery condition The lamp is brightest when viewed from straight on not above below or to the side This is important when trying to view the lamp in bright sunlight The following notes apply to use of the battery con dition lamp The Transmitter must be ON to check battery condition The most accurate indication of battery condi tion is provided after the Transmitter has been on for at least 30 to 60 seconds e Ifthe lamp is blinking the batteries are still op erational e Ifthe lamp is off the batteries are dead and need recharging The Transmitter will not oper ate unless plugged in or recharged As with any battery when the Transmitter is first turned ON after being off for a period even dis charged batteries may temporarily exhibit a high enough voltage to indicate good However a dis charged battery will quickly drain and indicate dead For this reason leave the Transmitter ON for at least 30 to 60 seconds before checking bat tery condition Infrared Light Detector Receiver The Receiver is labeled Receiver on its rear panel The Receiver detects the infrared light beam emit ted by the Transmitter The infrared light passes through the solid black front panel The Receiver is connected to the Timer Console by the 125 foot cable provided This cable pro
7. d a rough environment and treatment However a lit tle extra effort to take care of your timer will greatly extend its life and reduce the chance of failure To summarize care in one phrase Keep it clean Always brush the dirt from the tripod legs before collapsing the tripod Blow dirt off cable connec tors before inserting them into the units Keep the front of the Transmitter and Receiver clean Al ways blow the dust off first and then gently wipe with a soft cloth or tissue the front panels are easily scratched Knock dirt off the cable before throwing it into the carrying case It only takes a minute but the extra effort will greatly increase the life and performance of your timer The Transmitter and Receiver units have been de signed to withstand a little rain However they are not waterproof Do no leave them uncovered dur ing a heavy thunderstorm If they get very wet al low them to dry out before using them again The carrying case is the heart of your timer care routine Always store and carry your timer in this case In short a little common sense will go a long way in extending the life and performance of your timer
8. g on the current rider by pressing the RESTART key Venfying Alignment of the Electric Eyes To work properly the infrared light source Trans mitter and infrared light detector Receiver must be properly aligned Alignment of the electric eyes is discussed in detail in a following section The alignment of the electric eyes can be checked by pressing the ALIGN button any time the timer is stopped Ifthe eyes are properly aligned GOOD MD 200 User s Manual Page 2 Cont d is displayed If not properly aligned BAD is dis played If the display alternates between GOOD and BAD assume the alignment is bad To re turn to normal timing operation press the ALIGN button again Relay Multiple Pass Timing Some timed events such as relays require that riders pass back and forth through the beam be fore passing through it one final time to stop the timer For these events it is desirable to force the timer to ignore the electric eyes until the rider passes through the final time The MD 200 Timer provides this function via the RESTART button Holding down the RESTART button when the timer is running causes the MD 200 Timer to ignore in terruptions of the light beam The electric eyes are ignored as long as the RESTART button is held down Adjusting Display Contrast The display on the MD 200 Timer can be adjusted to provide maximum contrast for different viewing angles and temperatures To adjust display con
9. nd then plug the adapter into a MD 200 User s Manual Page 1 Cont d wall outlet As soon as the Timer Console is plugged in the console is on and the display reads 0 000 Now we re ready to push some buttons Manually Starting and Stopping the Timer The START STOP button is used to manually start and stop the timer When the timer is started the time is first reset to zero and then the running time is shown on the display When the timer is stopped the final time is shown on the display When the Timer Console is not running pressing the START STOP button starts the timer If the timer is running pressing the button stops the timer Even if the timer was started by breaking the light beam it can be stopped with the START STOP button and vice versa Resuming an Intenupted Timing Whenever the timer is stopped via the START STOP button or by breaking the light beam the final time is shown on the display However the timer con tinues to count inside Pressing the RESTART button when the timer is stopped resumes timing on the display Since time was kept internally while the display was fro zen the time on the display now reads as if the timer was never stopped Imagine the following A rider speeds through the light beam to start the timer Unfortunately her hat blows off and falls through the light beam and stops the timer Normally the rest of her ride is wasted but by pressing the RESTART button her
10. ockwise to tighten the head in the new po sition The knob at the very top of the neck can be loosened to allow you to move the head left and right Turn the knob counter clockwise to loosen clockwise to tighten A 1 4 inch screw protrudes through the top of the head To mount the Receiver or Transmitter to the tripod position the hole on the bottom of either unit over this screw Turn the knob under the head counter clockwise when viewed from the top to tighten the screw into the Receiver or Transmit MD 200 User s Manual Page 5 Cont d ter Tighten the screw firmly but do not over tighten Turn the knob clockwise to loosen the screw and remove the Receiver or Transmitter Align the unit on the tripod such that the long tri pod handle extends towards you and the rear of the unit faces you Aligning the Electric Eyes The infrared light from the Transmitter is emitted in a narrow beam This beam must be aimed at the Receiver to ensure that the Receiver sees the light beam The infrared light is emitted and re ceived through the solid black panel on each unit this is the front of the unit Read the tripod sec tion to familiarize yourself with the tripods before attempting to set up and align the Transmitter and Receiver To set up the electric eyes in the arena first attach the Transmitter and Receiver to the tripods as de tailed in the tripod section Then adjust the tri pods to the desired height The eyes should
11. red light is emitted through the solid black front panel The Transmitter has built in recharge able batteries to allow operation in the arena with out AC power However if by mistake the batteries were not charged the Transmitter can be operated by plugging it in The Transmitter must be switched ON to operate If an AC power adapter is plugged into the Trans mitter the unit runs from AC power If an AC adapter is not plugged in the unit runs from its in ternal batteries When not in use the Transmitter must be switched OFF to prevent discharge of the batteries Charging the Transmitter Batteries After a full battery charge the Transmitter will op erate about eight hours Typically this is enough time to use the Transmitter on two or more sepa rate occasions before recharging is necessary In fact it is actually better for the batteries to be used for six to eight total hours before recharging rather than just a few hours as if recharged after each use To recharge the Transmitter plug it into a wall outlet using either of the AC power adapters for about 14 hours Make sure the unit is OFF when recharging Do not leave the Transmitter charging for a single period of more than 14 hours After charging the Transmitter will remain almost fully charged for several weeks if stored at room temperature If not used for two or more months recharge the batteries over night before the next use MD 200 User s Manu
12. trast press the ALIGN key as if you were verifying alignment of the electric eyes The display will of course show either GOOD or BAD depending on whether the eyes are plugged in and aligned For the purpose of adjusting display contrast it does not matter whether the eyes are connected or aligned While GOOD or BAD is displayed press the START STOP button several times Note that on each press the display cycles to one of four differ ent contrast settings and then repeats the pattern Press the START STOP button until the display looks the sharpest from your planned viewing position To return to normal timing operation press the ALIGN button again MD 200 User s Manual Page 3 The HORN Jack A HORN jack is provided on the rear of the MD 200 Timer Console This jack allows connection of an optional horn The horn automatically sounds at any time you specify Details about connecting and operating the horn are in the user s manual provided with the horn The horn jack is also used to connect a remote bar rier release for an optional roping package and to connect a second set of electric eyes for an optional dual eye configuration Details about connecting and operating these packages are in the user s manual provided with each package The DISPLAY J ack A DISPLAY jack is provided on the rear of the MD 200 Timer Console for connection to an optional scoreboard display printer or computer interface The MD 200 also
13. ve not carefully aligned the eyes as out lined above you may have a weak alignment that is sensitive to battery condition dust or sunlight Always carefully align the electric eyes before use as outlined above Alignment Hints With a little practice you ll be able to set up and align the electric eyes in minutes Below are some suggestions in the event you cannot obtain align ment or the alignment is sensitive to dust or sun light e Make sure the cable plugs are fully inserted into the Receiver and the Timer Console push them in completely a fraction of an inch can make a difference e Move the eyes closer together and re align e Distance is reduced when the sun shines on the face of the Receiver If possible switch sides with the Transmitter to keep the sun from enter ing the Receiver If not possible to switch sides construct a simple shade for the Receiver e Check the condition of the Transmitter batteries as outlined in the Checking Rechargeable Bat tery Condition section If the batteries are dead use an AC adapter to plug the Transmitter into an AC outlet to operate As mentioned pre viously if the batteries are severely discharged MD 200 User s Manual Page 6 Cont d it may take several minutes before the Transmit ter operates properly even after the AC adapter is plugged in The quickest way to restore op eration to a severely discharged Transmitter is to plug it in with the switch turned
14. vides a signal to the Timer Console when the light beam is broken In addition this cable provides power to the Receiver The Receiver requires neither AC nor batteries to operate To connect the cable insert MD 200 User s Manual Page 5 either end of the cable into the jack labeled CON SOLE on the rear of the Receiver Insert the other end of the cable into the jack labeled RECEIVER on the rear of the Timer Console Make sure the plugs are fully inserted Tipods For use in the arena the electric eyes should be mounted on the tripods provided As you read this section try the adjustments mentioned to familiar ize yourself with the tripods The tripod has latches on its legs to adjust them to the desired length Open the latch to extend or shorten a leg then close the latch to lock the leg in place Near the top of the tripod where the three legs come together a center tube neck can be raised or lowered to further adjust the height of the tri pod Loosen the collar latch by turning it counter clockwise and then raise or lower the neck as de sired After adjustment tighten the collar latch by turning it clockwise The very top of the tripod is called the head Two adjustments allow the head to turn left to right and to tilt forward and backward The long handle is used to adjust the forward and backward tilt Turn the handle counter clockwise to loosen and then use the handle to adjust the tilt Turn the handle cl
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search