Hey Everyone,
My church has asked me to make a Pine Wood Derby Track. I was thrilled at the idea because i have been itching for a project that i could use my arduino on.
Here is what i would like to have happen.
The track is going to have 3 lanes
I would like to use a 7 segment display over each track to display what position the person came in.
I would like to use a 4 Digit segment display to display the time the car ran.
I would like to output first second and third place times in the serial window.
I want to use a 3 Photoresistor and 3 LED's at the end to see what cars make it to the end first.
Finally i would like to use a solenoid hooked to a button that would electronically release the cars starting the race!
The problem with all this is that i have no idea where to start!!!!!
Could some one point me in the direction i need to go?
I have done some googling and there is alot of ideas out there but no directions/tutorials ect....
HELP LOL
Could some one help point me in the right direction.
Kelly:
Hey Everyone,
My church has asked me to make a Pine Wood Derby Track. I was thrilled at the idea because i have been itching for a project that i could use my arduino on.
Could some one help point me in the right direction.
Start by making all of your devices, Displays, EyeBeam sensors, Solenoid releases.
Create code that controls or reads each device.
Then work on the software to perform you complex function.
Until you have the Hardware defined and functional, Software is just a bad dream.
Chuck.
Hi, if you haven't already started your project, I may be able to help you get started by providing you with all the design info for building a timer using a minimal hardware approach. Then you can expand from there to add LED displays, etc. As part of my hobby I have designed and built a number of track timers and have developed a low cost yet effective track timer that may suit your needs.
Although my design is for a 6-lane track, the design is well documented and is relatively easy to modify by someone with basic technical and novice programming skills.
My design keeps hardware to a minimum and utilizes your PC (or MAC) to display race results. It is based on the Arduino UNO® micro-controller board (ref. https://www.arduino.cc/) and free public domain display software (ref. https://processing.org) to provide a low cost solution.
For additional info, visit YouTube site - YouTube
or search YouTube for "Pinewood Derby Timer"
If you’re interested in using this design to build your track timer please send me an email at Billv923@outlook.com and I will reply with an attached zip file containing all the information you need, including a schematic diagram, parts list, design notes, software installation notes, and software source code to get your project up and running.
Good luck.
Bill
a typical start bar could be a pin under the track.
you could hinge that and have a solenoid hold it from falling.
retract the solenoid, the bars hinge down and the race is on !