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Set up: PR1a and RLS1a with din cables to TDC8001 and Timy.
Weather: Sunny, minus 18 celsius.

Issue: Day one went really good with 100 competitors in two runs. The second day went with no problems until the second run when we got problems with false impulses. In the start we got a second impulse just after the finish for about the ten first racers. Sometimes on system A, sometimes on system B, sometimes on both. The false impulse came 0,3-1,5 seconds after the first impulse. We also had false impulses with racers in the middle of the course, and this problem increased during the 2. run. The timing guys were of course checking the cells and the indicators, but they looked ok.

My first thought was that snow from the racers blow up in the beam, but this makes no sense when considering the other random impulses.
So is it possible that the cells has been damaged by the sun? Or is this a symptom of crossing beams? I think the cells might be mounted a little close, but I was not involved with the timing this day.
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A little old post but there is mounting evidence that sun damages photocells more than any other factor.

Look into your cell indoors with a decent light. I bet you will see a track of the sun melting the plastic and heading right over or near the diode.

They overload and then fail.

Fortunately Alge cells have replaceable main circuit boards that allow your dealer to service them.

The new PR1a cell has a much smaller profile and better sun shield.

ALWAYS use the sun shields on any brand of cells!
If its not Sun damage, try setting up the start and finish impulses for at least a 3 second delay in the timer, finish eyes, & software before reciving another impulse. Wiggling wand or a slow racer crossing beam can generate more than one impulse unless you block that impulse for a couple of seconds. In weather that cold use new batteries often.

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