DESCRIPTION OF THE TIMESTOPPER MODEL T-III

1. The function of the Timestopper Model T-III is to objectively determine the 1'st, 2'nd and 3'rd place winners in each heat of a race on a standard three- or two-lane Pinewood Derby track, and to display the results for judges to record.



2. The Timestopper Model III consists of a compact, hand-held control and display unit together with a three-sensor cable assembly that is wired into the control/display unit.   The sensors are used at the finish line of the track to sense when racecars cross the finish line.   The display unit incorporates integrated logic circuitry for precisely determining the order in which cars finish a heat.



3. The finish sensors are miniature light sensors.   They are selected to avoid significant timing errors of friction-prone mechanical switches.   These photo-optic sensors are all that need be attached to your track.   Using the provided rubber tubing as protective sleeving, the finish sensors should each be fit snugly into a hole drilled vertically through the track at the point of intersection between the centerline of a lane and the finish line.   The passage of a car across the finish line is detected by virtue of the fact that the car will block overhead light from reaching the sensor.   For effective operation, this requires your placing an incandescent lamp directly over the finish line of the track and close enough to the track to assure ample illumination of the finish line.



4. The display consists of six lights:   a pair of green and yellow lights for each of three track lanes.   For a given lane, the green light illuminates to indicate that the car in that lane finished first; the yellow light illuminates to indicate that the car in that lane finished second; or neither light illuminates if the car in that lane is last.   Note that this configuration permits Timestopper T-III to be useful on two-lane tracks as well as three-lane tracks.   By turning the display unit off and back on again, the unit is reset to determine the results of the next heat.



5. One standard 9-volt battery is required, and is easily inserted in the battery compartment.



6. For spare parts or repairs write to or send the unit to Pinewood Timestoppers.

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