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8 replies

Timer power in extreme cold.

M mikehancockMember
Tonight I ran a practice race away from where the timing shack (and heat) is located. I left the timer in the lodge until the last minute, installed fresh batteries, and then set it up within 15-20 minutes. Ambient was -17F, and as soon as I turned on the TIMY it gave me the battery low message. A minute or so later it turned off. Obviously -17 isn't exactly balmy for AA batteries.

Anyone use their timer in similar temps? What power source do you use? I have a jump start pack running the D-Line, and I am considering using it for the TIMY as well. I may even daisy chain the TED RX or finish sensor through the TIMY just to save batteries.

Any advice would be appreciated. I run it outdoors a few times a year for practices, although rarely at that temp range.
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M mikehancockMember
Kinda funny, but my el-cheapo (Shucks- $25)battery pack came with an adapter to charge it from a car cigarette lighter. Since the pack has two lighter jacks, I thought I'd see if it would work with the TIMY. Sure enough, it's the proper size and polarity.

Thanks for the advice- that was along the lines I was thinking.

Now I need to see if I can do the same for the TED TX. They seem to eat batteries pretty fast in the cold too.
marclacaillemarclacailleMember
We use Timy's outside during training all the time. Here are a few observations we've made. First in cold temperature turn off the printer it eats the batteries, with the memory you can upload and/or print later.
If you want to use something smaller then a power pack, alarm batteries work great you just have to go to an electronics supply store and they s/b be able to set you up with the cables, charger and connectors. You could use the same battery to power more then one machine at the time and they last all day on one charge.
The other thing we noted is that when the Timy get too cold the screen slows down and take time to catch up to the keyboard, nothing is ever lost but you are kind of working blindly for a while
M mikehancockMember
The only time I use the TIMY outside is during training sessions. With the D-Line running, I don't need to save any times- I just leave it running and the athletes get their own times.

I've experiemented a bit and run the TIMY, D-Line, and TED RX with the battery pack in -10F for over 5 hours. Pretty darn good if you ask me, and definitely cheaper and longer-lasting than AA batteries.
C clockwerkz2Member
Another solution that I've used on both our Timy and Tag CP540 is to duct tape a couple of disposable/charcoal handwarmers to the back side of the unit.

I've used these for 5+ hours at -25C to -30C, (with the printer on). I've taped these to the side of photo-cells as well.

(I live in the Yukon, so have experience with keeping stuff working in the cold.)
M mikehancockMember
I've seen some of the chemical-style foot-hand warmers actually create condensation (we were using them on video cameras at the time), but that might have been with a specific brand/type. I certainly considered it, though.

Do you have a favored brand? My photosensor could probably use some help on cold days, since it's going to be powered by the single battery.
C clockwerkz2Member
The ones I have now are made by "Grabber". But I've used some other brand as well. I've never had an issue with condensation, (but we've got a pretty dry climate here).

You have to make sure that the tape doesn't totally seal off the air supply to the heating pad (they need some oxygen to work properly).

I made some insulated photo-cell covers out of thin (15mm) foam evazote camp/sleeping pads. They fit over the Tag cells and the heating pads slip inside (covering the battery side of the cell). These covers also function well as as padded sun-shades. In cold weather the cells stay warm, but never hot. (I'll post a photo of these in a few days. They aren't pretty, but they work well.)

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