ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

ST. CROIX SAILING CLUB

GREAT SAILORS, GREAT SAILING!

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RCST – Race Committee Start Timer

The purpose of the R/C Start Timer is to simplify the duties of the Race Committee. It accomplishes this by automating horns, displaying current sequence time, and by replacing the time-sensitive flag signals with automated lights.

This timer has been born from a proposal we made to the US Sailing organization for a lighted start sequence.  That proposal can be seen in other posts on this page, as well as in the Sequences appendix of this user’s manual.

The latest version of the Start Timer is complete as of 2020.  It has been used for two seasons with our club, the local sailing school, and at a club on Lake St. Clair.

The Hardware:

The unit comes with its own battery, air compressor, buzzer, and digital display inside of a water-resistant box.

  • Left Button:  Power On
  • Second Button:  Run Sequence
  • Right Button:  Manual Horn (sounds as long as the button is held)
  • Display:  Count down (or count up) during the sequence.  Also shows the configuration menu.
  • 4-LED’s below screen:  Ultra-bright, used to signal approaching flag changes (30 sec, 20, 10, 5,4,3,2,1,0)
  • Built-in Buzzer:  Audible alerts to the crew of the R/C boat of upcoming flag changes – buzzes in tune with the LED’s.  Useful so your crew can watch the line instead of the timer screen!

The horns are made by Wolo and are easily audible in all directions for 2+ miles.  It’s a good idea to mount them away from R/C personnel.  They can be muffled if necessary.

The battery is a 12v 9Ah AGM and depending on use, rarely needs charging.  Charger is built in.  The timer has a low battery indicator which starts blinking when you’re down to around 5-10 sequences of battery life left.  I typically charge it once mid-season (after 2-3 months of use, or around 50 sequences using both horns and lights).

The display uses large 1.2″ digits and can be seen from a distance.  It can wash out in bright light, so position the display to not face the sun.  The 4-LED’s below the screen can be seen in all lighting conditions – they and the buzzer make the screen redundant within 30 seconds of signals.  After all – you should be watching the line, and not the timer!

Everything is water resistant.  It can take heavy downpours!  The only caveat is that it contains an air compressor – there are tiny air holes on the back side.  Do not lay it face up in standing water or some water may be sucked in when the horns operate.  Even if that happens, it should continue to run just fine.  Simply remember to dry it out when you get back to shore.  Note that this unit has been tested in fresh water only – your experience may vary in saltwater conditions.

This unit runs on an ATMega1284p processor (big brother to Arduino devices) on a custom printed circuit board.

Sequences:

The following sequences are supported, but the software can easily be updated to support ANY sequence you can think of:

  • RRS 26
  • RRS 26 (4-minute)
  • RRS Appx U (Sound Signal)
  • RRS Appx C (Match Racing)
  • ICSA Appx C
  • Numerous Rolling configurations and repetition settings.
  • Numerous light visibility configurations.

Choosing which sequence to run is done in the menus (see the users guide for details).

Adding new sequences is done in the firmware.  Such updates are emailed or posted online in the form of a small Hex file.  Copy that file onto a MicroSD card (card is included, usb card reader is not), power the unit on, and your sequence or other software updates will be installed automatically.

The Lights:

(optional, but highly recommended)

This innovative concept replaces the two start sequence flags (Preparatory and Class Flag) with two sets of lights mounted vertically.  Sailors simply look for the lights instead of flags: one light = one flag.  Two lights = two flags.  See the diagram and Sequences document for more details.

Currently, the lights are made up of super-bright leds from semi-trailer break lights.  They are visible in bright sunlight from any direction at up to a mile or more.  In overcast or dusk conditions, they can be seen for many miles (I may add a dimming feature for night use, if requested).  They are visible in ALL conditions and have seen several years of use in hundreds of events – our sailors have found them to be easy to see, highly accurate, and the transition away from flags was easy for everyone to understand (from novice sailors to highly experienced sailors).

The benefit of lights are that they remove the “human factor” from the start sequence.  Volunteer race committees often have variability in how they raise flags.  +/- one second or more, is quite common.  When do sailors start timing – when the flag starts to go up, or when it’s fully up?  Some clubs use poles, some use pulleys, some clubs do things…other ways…  In my 30+ years of running sailboat races, I have seen quite a variety of ways to raise flags, and as much variety in the reliability of timing from those signals.  Why go through the hassle of recruiting/paying someone simply to raise flags when that position can be automated?  Spare your crew for more important things, such as watching the line for over-earlies!

More Details

The device is very well built, and the circuits and software are highly refined, but assembly of components is very much a home-built product.  I will make a few sets a year – get in touch with me on the contact form below if you’d like one, or if you’d like assistance building your own.

More information can be found in the Users Manual and Sequence documents.
RCST Users Manual
RCST AppxA(Sequences)

Reach out us on the contact form below if you have any questions!

Start Timer Contact Form

Do you have any constructive feedback about this project?  Would you like to learn more or stay in the loop?  Feel free to send our development group a message:

    Start Timer Version 4 – Sequences

    This is a proposal for Lighted Sequences.  It supports both Rolling and Non-Rolling varieties.  For simplicity, it only documents RRS26, but can be applied to other sequences quite easily.

    The initial concept was to simply replace two flags (Class # and “P”) with lights.  Turns out, its more complicated than that.  Read our provisional proposal here (it is regularly updated):  Lighted Start Sequence (Google Docs)

    If you have any suggestions for improvement, please let us know!

    Proposed Rule 26 Sequence:

    Minutes before starting signal Flag Signal Light Signal Sound Signal Means
    (any) Class Flags, sequentially ordered. *

    P, I, Z, Z with I, U, or black flag

        Defines class order and penalties
    5   Top Light On One Warning Signal
    4   Bottom Light On One Preparatory Signal
    1   Top Light Off One Long One-Minute
    0 Class flag removed * Bottom Light Off One Starting Signal

    * Class and penalty flags for started classes shall be removed prior to the Preparatory signal for subsequent classes.

    The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.

    Example:

    A competing boat would see something like the following image.  Light colors are to be decided.

        

    All of these lights mean something in the USCG rules, so we added blinking lights – that way our Race Committee shouldn’t be confused with another type of vessel.

    Start Timer Version 4 – Hardware

    Hardware

    There are significant hardware changes for this version of the timer.  Including an upgrade of the processor to the ATMega1284p, the addition of an SD Card, and support for multiple sequence lights.

    Here are a few examples of circuit-board related updates.

    PCB (TOP) From version 2.2 (V4 forthcoming)

     

    Circuit board schematic to date.  Work in progress…

     

     

     

    Start Timer Version 4 – Software

    Software

    The software is undergoing a complete redesign.  We anticipate support of an unlimited number of customizations, including not only sequences, but changes to the lighting patterns and number of lights.  As with all new concepts, we expect to adjust the lights as we gain experience with them.

    One key element to this is the addition of a Micro SD Card reader.  This will permit patches and upgrades to be sent out to customers via email.  Copy the file onto the card, put it in the timer, power it up, and presto:  you have an upgraded start timer.  Support for user-customized sequences may also be possible.

    V4 Class Diagram

    A menu system will be used for configuring the sequences and rolling details.

    Automated Start Timer

    Our club uses a custom start timer to run the start sequences.  It assists the Race Committee to time the sequences and honk the horns accurately.  Like many clubs, we are short on volunteers, and automating simple procedures benefits everyone in the club.  The start timer has undergone a few iterations of improvements since its introduction, but the greatest change is proposed for the summer of 2020 – to add lights instead of using traditional flags.

    Version 1

    First version, with one second to go before Prep Flag Up.

    The first version was created around 2013-14.  It featured a handheld box based upon an Arduino Uno.  Self powered, but relied upon horns mounted to the boat and running from the boat battery.  It was completely waterproof, held many different sequences, and the original is still in use today.

    It featured a 2″ tall display, count down timer, automatic horn relay, and supported many sequences.  An onboard switch allowed any two sequences to be run at a time, with additional sequences available by flashing the memory.  A series of led’s and a speaker alerted the Race Committee to upcoming flag changes.  Run time on a 9-volt battery was around 1 month (20-30 sequences).

    The interface is easy to use with a buttons for power, sequence, and a manual horn.  Four LED’s indicate seconds to a flag change (30, 20, 10, 5-1).  A speaker announces each of these time increments so the R/C personnel don’t need to maintain visual eye contact on the timer.

    Version 2

    Version 2, complete with horns.

    Version 2 was developed in the fall of 2018.  It moved away from the Uno and was built around the ATMega128p microprocessor and a custom printed circuit board.  A larger battery was fitted so that an on-board horn system could be added.

    Our local sailing school uses it near downtown Hudson – the horns are so loud that it can be heard inside buildings while shopping!

     

    At 3 minutes. Horn is sounding and an alert light is shown.

    This version included all the features of Version 1, as well as a 9Ah battery, air compressor, and 8 ft of tubing to remotely place the air horns.  The printed circuit board minimized wiring and made the device more reliable.  Switches were added to select from many pre-programmed sequences.

    It is no longer completely waterproof (because air holes are required for the compressor), but can take heavy water spray from just about any direction.

     

    Version 4

    US Sailing article about our idea. Click to open in a new tab.

    This version was born to solve an issue the R/C was concerned about – accurate raising and lowering of the flags.  Our Race Officer had the idea to use bright LED lights to replace the flags, and the new version was born.  It is currently in development, but is expected to be released in the Spring of 2020.  We are grateful to be working with an international group of engineers with a passion for sailing to make this endeavor possible!

    There has been some discussion online about this project.  We hope to make a proposal to US Sailing and World Sailing to include provisions for a Lighted Start Sequence addendum to the Rule 26 sequence.
    https://www.ussailing.org/news/raceofficials-story-racestartlights/

    More information will be added below as the project moves along.

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