We, the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, has been using the Split Second/USSA software for Alpine ski racing which can receive input directly from all three models of Alge timing systems we own. We purchased a cable from Split Second a couple years ago that allows us to connect the RS-232 port on our S4 to the serial port on a Win95 computer. And it works OK, having to reset the baud rate of the S4 is a real pain, however.

We also own an Alge TdC 4000 and several S3s, and I see now that these units are also now approved by USSA and according to Split Second have the capability to output to USSA software running on a Win95 computer. What cable(s) do we need to connect these two other Alge timing systems to a computer? Could it be that the same cable will work?

Please tell us what cables we need and how much they cost. Do you have some diagrams and/or instructions that would help us in setting these up?

Originally posted 5 Dec 2000 by Ann Holmes
aholmes@coloradomtn.edu

The first thing you should do is upgrade to the Windows version of the USSA software. It allows the use of the S4 with the default baud rate of 4800. The reason that Geoff forced the baud rate to 2400 was to allow the single serial port on most pcs to work for input from the S4 and output to a display. The proper way has always been to use a seperate serial port for each, and he has now adopted this technique. Your existing cable should still work.

The Tdc 4000 and the S3 use the same data cable. The S4 uses a different one. The only issue is how you plan to use the TDc4000. It can only send net times to the software and to the display. The S4 and S3 send "time of day" and then the pc calculates it. This only comes into play if you plan to connect a display board. We make a splitter cable that allows the pc and the display to be connected at once.

We can make any or all of these cables within 24hrs. Costs vary between $35.00 and $60 per cable.

Originally posted 5 Dec 2000 by Fred Patton

We tried connecting the TDC 4000 to the PC with the S3 cable. It does not work but the S3 does. Any ideas?

Originally posted 15 Jan 2001 by Chris, NYSEF

The Split Second USSA software is only expecting "net times" from the TDC 4000. The TDC outputs two display channels from the Data output 2 port. The running time for a display board in one direction. Net static time for a PC in the other. Try rotating the Din plug 180 degrees. The software should now recognize the timer. Remember that the software is only expecting net times. You will do all the timing on the TDC. We make a splitter cable if you want to use an ALGE GAZ display at the same time that you are connected to the PC.

The other thing you need to check is the eprom version of your TDC 4000. Split Second software only works with version 88.2 and higher.

Version Check

Start your TDC 4000

Press the "A" key when asked to input precision

The Version # of the eprom will print out. (88.2)

You can turn off the timer without harm at this point.

Is there any way to use a v.86.4 TDC4000 and SST USSA software?

TDC 4000 timers are upgraded by replacing the eprom chip inside the unit. An eprom is $100.00 and they are in stock. There was no real improvement for ski racing after 1988. It is quite possible that your TDC 4000 will work with the SST soft. Use the same cable that you use with the S3. The cable has to be plugged in to display output with the screw facing right as you look at it from the back of the timer. The SST soft is set for TDc 4000, 2400, n,8,1. The software only receives net times from the timer. It will prompt you if the racer is not in the database. Otherwise it will accept the net time.

We replaced the eprom and the TDC 4000 is sending data to the SST just fine now. I am afraid the S3 is too old to recognize the HP eprom and that timer will have to be traded in or used for non PC work.

The USB-serial adapter is made by Aten. I downloaded W2k drivers today from www.aten.com and got the damn thing working.