Unofficial UK Slalom BBS

I've developed an Arduino based start count down clock which I'm just finishing off and interested in comments/input/suggestions

Specification (so far).

6.5" 2 digit super bright LED display
Piezo beeper
requires 12v supply (external battery or mains adapter)
Single button operation (on a 15m cable, could be longer)
Pause/restart countdown with single press of button
Short hold of button to reset to 30 seconds or start interval.
Long hold to select 30,35,40,45,50,55,60 start interval (can add more if required)
Last 5 second beep countdown with long beep at zero

The whole thing can be controlled by the start person with the minimum of fuss. No need for shouting or a prestart to indicate when to go.

Potentially I may make a slave unit for prestart so that the next paddler knows when to feed down to the start eddy where it is out of sight such as at Washburn.

Brillant idea
Can a book it for Symonds Yat at end of April.

Looks great for paddlers and starter, I particularly like the pause option - needed for these nuisance paddlers like Mallory who are too quick for their ranking. 30sec needed for practice runs, occasionally use 50sec to catch up time but we also use 90sec intervals for C1W. At HPP the starter cannot see the countdown clock display so a slave or smaller display on the back is needed to see what is going on.

Thanks for the feedback and positive ideas.

Start interval can be from 15-90 seconds (I can easily program different settings).

Great minds think alike, I've added a smaller display on the back so the starter can hopefully see what is happening to the main display.

When on pause the time on both displays flash to indicate that is is paused.

Just need to build a case. Providing the battery is charged it should last a full weekend.

great idea. Can you make several please and how much silver needs to cross your palm for us to get one?

That's a great thing to do, now I won't have the starter accidentally yelling into the headset at Washburn! And they will have less of a sore throat. Thanks!

JoS wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:11 am

That's a great thing to do, now I won't have the starter accidentally yelling into the headset at Washburn! And they will have less of a sore throat. Thanks!

I think you are still going to have the starter shouting at Washburn, it is difficult for anyone but especially C1s to sit in the start eddy facing the starter so most will still need to be shouted at...

Would the start countdown clock need to be synchronised with Tutti and backup clocks or can it be completely independant since the starter might need to adjust intervals on the fly?

RE: Washburn

That is the whole point they don't have to face the starter, the clock can be placed anywhere, and as it beeps those who want to face the' wrong way' can do so and just use the tones if they wish.

At Washburn I would expect it would be at the top of the eddy, those who wish to start facing the other way, can simply turn round at say 15 seconds and then listen for the last 4 short beeps and the final long beep to go. Alternatively you could place it mid way down the eddy so it works for both.

At really really worst case I could make a slave display so there is one for either end of eddy but we will see how it goes first.

Does not need to be synchronised with anything, you can pause it and change intervals on the fly using the remote button sat in the 'comfort' of your chair.

Would be useful at Lee Valley at bottom of travelator. Any chance of getting to us to borrow/ test out for div 1 please?

I'd missed the 15m cable, was thinking the starter would have to be next to it to reset... Perfect then!