MYLAPS CRADLE1 User Manual
Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager
User Manual
(REVISION 1.0)
19 April 2011
ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS
Manual rev. Software rev. Date (d/m/y) Amendments
Published by:
MYLAPS B.V.
Zuiderhoutlaan 4
2012 PJ Haarlem
The Netherlands
© 2011 No part of this document may be reproduced by any means without
the written consent of the publisher.
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information in this
document is correct, no liability can be accepted by MYLAPS for loss,
damage or injury caused by any errors or omissions in this document.
(Revision 1.0) (Revision 1.0.0) 19/04/11 This is the first edition of this manual.
Page 2 of 32 Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual (Revision 1.0)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1 Scope of this manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.2 How to use this manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1 General safety responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Warnings and cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 Transponder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.3 Cradle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.4 USB connector cable and adaptors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1 Basic principle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.2 How does the transponder work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.2.1 Transponder LED indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2.2 Cradle LED indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3 Flex Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.3.1 Status/Error line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5 ACTIVATE TRANSPONDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.1 Purchase Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.2 Install Flex Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.3 Activate transponder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.3.1 Activate transponder (via internet) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.3.2 Activate transponder (via SMS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6 OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.1 Mount transponder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.2 Remove and store transponder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.3 View status (via Flex Manager). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
7 MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
7.1 Periodic maintenance schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
7.2 Clean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
7.3 Charge battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.4 Check/Update subscription. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
7.5 Replace parts and accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
8 TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
8.1 Troubleshooting principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
8.2 Activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
8.3 Flex Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
8.4 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
8.5 Flex Cradle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
8.6 Flex Transponder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual (Revision 1.0) Page 3 of 32
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Scope of this manual
This manual is intended for users of the Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager. It provides
information on installing, operating, and maintaining your unit.
The manual is divided into the following sections:
• Introduction - (this section)
• Safety (page 5): describes all safety aspects required when working with MYLAPS
equipment
• Physical description (page 6): physical descriptions of the major components in
the unit
• Functional description (page 9): functional descriptions of the unit
• Activate transponder (page 13): installing Flex Manager software and activating
the transponder
• Operation (page 19): how to use the unit and check status
• Maintenance (page 22): instructions on how to maintain and repair the equipment.
Contains sub-sections for periodic maintenance schedules and corrective
maintenance procedures
• Troubleshooting (page 26): tables with potential problems, causes and solutions
• Appendices (page 30): unit specifications and CE declaration form
1.2 How to use this manual
1 Introduction
This manual is designed to be used in electronic and printed form. Cross references in the
electronic version can be clicked to go directly to the referenced item. Navigation can be done
with the bookmarks and/or the table of contents, which contains live links. Page numbers are
also provided for ease of use with printed copy.
Before installing, operating or maintaining your Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager for the
first time, always read section 2Safetyon page 5 to familiarize yourself with the safety
aspects of this manual and your system.
To identify individual components, read 3 Physical description on page 6.
For an explanation of how the unit works, read 4 Functional description on page 9.
Read both 5 Activate transponder on page 13 and 6Operationon page 19 completely to
overview the steps required to setup and run Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager. Refer to
8 Troubleshooting on page 26 to find solutions to setup/operating problems.
When performing scheduled maintenance on Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager, use
7.1 Periodic maintenance schedules on page 22 to view the schedules and find the required
maintenance procedures. Corrective maintenance is guided from the tables in section
8 Troubleshooting on page 26.
Refer to the Appendices on page 30 for an overview of the technical specifications.
Page 4 of 32 Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual (Revision 1.0)
2SAFETY
This section describes all safety aspects required when working with MYLAPS equipment. The
safety aspect can relate to potential equipment damage or to danger to personnel working
with this equipment or in the vicinity.
• When installing, operating or maintaining equipment, closely follow the prescribed
instructions in this manual, and use common sense at all times
• If ever in doubt about how to do a job or task safely, always ask for assistance
2.1 General safety responsibilities
High voltages, thermal and stored energy hazards are present in some MYLAPS systems.
Therefore, pay special attention to safety when transporting, operating and maintaining each
system, including:
• Meet all applicable codes, laws and local regulations.
• Read and understand each item in this manual and follow the installation, operator
and maintenance procedures exactly.
• Always use the correct tools for the job and only replace components wit h approved
parts.
• Take recommended precautions—never take short cuts.
RoHS Compliant
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for RoHS compliant materials. These
limits require manufacturers to ensure that they do not use materials or components that contain restricted
substances that may be harmful to the environment.
2.2 Warnings and cautions
The following alerts are used in this manual:
• WARNINGS alert users of potentially dangerous situations
• CAUTIONS alert users of potential equipment damage
Warnings and cautions in this manual, are indicated by:
•an icon
•the text WARNING or CAUTION
• a textual description, which states the hazard and how to avoid it
The following icons are used in this manual to highlight and warn of safety or other aspects.
These icons may also be attached to the Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager equipment at
appropriate locations.
2 Safety
General
Caution or
Warning
Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual (Revision 1.0) Page 5 of 32
Dangerous
voltage
Not harmful
to the
environment
3 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
1 Transponder See 3.2 Transponder on page 7
2Cradle See 3.3 Cradle on page 8
3 12-24 VDC adaptor
(optional accessory)
This adaptor is used to connect the cradle to a DC power source
(see 3.4 USB connector cable and adaptors on page 8)
4 100- 240 VAC plugs Choose which plug can be inserted into the adaptor for connecting
the adaptor to your local power source (see 3.4 USB connector
cable and adaptors on page 8)
5 100- 240 VAC adaptor This adaptor is used to connect the cradle to a power source (see
3.4 USB connector cable and adaptors on page 8)
6 USB cable connector For connecting external devices and operator control (see
3.4 USB connector cable and adaptors on page 8)
2
1
3
4
4
5
6
3.1 Introduction
Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager is a timing concept for sports where simple setup, plus
minimal handling are needed. The Flex Transponder is portable and is designed for operation
during outdoor sports events. The Flex transponder kit has the following standard
components and optional accessories (see Figure 3.1):
• Rechargable transponder
• Universal power sockets for connecting to 100-240 VAC supply (50-60 Hz; 200 mA)
•USB cable
• Cradle for recharging transponder and signal communication with a PC
•Attachment clip
• This Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual
• Power adaptor for connecting to 12-24 VDC auto connector (optional accessory - can
be purchased separately from MYLAPS)
See Appendix 1 Specifications on page 30 for complete specifications.
3 Physical description
Page 6 of 32 Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual (Revision 1.0)
Figure 3.1 Flex transponder kit
3.2 Transponder
1 LED status display This LED blinks and displays various colours to show the current
status of the transponder - see 4.2.1 Transponder LED
indicator on page 10
2 Attachment pin for holder This pin is inserted through the hole in the transponder to attach
the transponder to the holder
3 Clip Steel clip to lock transponder in place in holder
4Holder Plastic holder to attach transponder to vehicle
5 Charging pins These contact pins align with the cradle contact points when the
transponder is loaded into the cradle for charging
6 Transponder number Unique number to identify your transponder
2
1
5
4
3
front
back
3
6
3 Physical description
Figure 3.2 Transponder
Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual (Revision 1.0) Page 7 of 32
3.3 Cradle
1 USB cable connector Connect here the USB charging/communication cable
2LED indicator This LED blinks and changes color to indicate the status of the
cradle and loaded transponder - see 4.2.2 Cradle LED indicator on
page 10
3 Slots for transponder pins Load the transponder into this slot. The 2 metal strips in the slots
are contact points for the transponder when charging in cradle
1
2
3
3
front
back
2
1 100 - 240 VAC adaptor If using an alternative adaptor, always make sure it is a 5 V USB
adaptor with minimum 500 mA power output
2 USB connector cable Insert this cable into the adaptor and cradle for charging
3 Universal plug Select and insert the correct plug for your power supply
4Cradle
5 Car adaptor (optional) Always use 5 V USB adaptor with minimum 500 mA power output
1
2
4
5
3
2
Figure 3.3 Cradle
3.4 USB connector cable and adaptors
3 Physical description
Page 8 of 32 Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual (Revision 1.0)
Figure 3.4 Connector cable and adaptors
4 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
4.1 Basic principle
A MYLAPS personal transponder and account provides access to your official race and practice
data for every lap. Your MYLAPS transponder comes with a unique ID that you can activate
(after purchasing a subscription) and link to your MYLAPS account. Your MYLAPS account
provides unlimited access to all your race and practice results. Being able to analyze your data
will help you improve your performance. Just login to www.mylaps.com/practice from any
location with an internet connection.
The benefits of your personal transponder include:
• Guaranteed accurate and reliable results
• Free and unlimited MYLAPS account
• Online access to all your practice and race lap times
• Permanent storage of your data
• Share your results with your friends
• Simplify registering for events
• Use your transponder worldwide
4.2 How does the transponder work
MYLAPS MX Rechargeable Power Transponders work in combination with the MYLAPS MX
Timing System installed on the track at the start/finish line and optionally at intermediate
points along the track.
Every participant in a race has his own transponder attached to their vehicle/bike. The
transponder emits a unique identification signal. Systems with detection loops or mats along
the course will detect the identification signals from the transponder, giving an exact time of
crossing at that point in the course, e.g. a start or finish. Multiple detection lines can provide
intermediate times.
Based on these signals, the system records your lap time and lap counts. These lap times and
results can be accessed and published on:
• mylaps.com (via your MYLAPS account)
• Scoreboards/monitors
• Your mobile phone
When you first purchase your transponder and subscription, you will need to activate it using
the unique MYLAPS Flex Manager software. This software can be installed on a PC and
eventually used to read out and report the status of your transponder:
• See 5.1 Purchase Subscription on page 13 for how to purchase a subscription
• See 5.2 Install Flex Manager on page 13 for how to install Flex Manager
•Refer to 5.3 Activate transponder on page 16 for how to activate the transponder.
4 Functional description
•Refer to 6.3 View status (via Flex Manager) on page 21 for how to use the software.
The transponder (see Figure 3.2) is rechargeable by loading it into the cradle (when the
cradle is connected to AC or DC power source).
The cradle and the transponder also have LED indicators to show their current status - see:
• 4.2.1 Transponder LED indicator on page 10
• 4.2.2 Cradle LED indicator on page 10
Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual (Revision 1.0) Page 9 of 32
4.2.1 Transponder LED indicator
The LED on the transponder blinks or glows to show the current status of the transponder see following table:
Transponder LED Status
Steady GREEN (when in cradle) Active (battery full)
Blinks RED once every second (when in cradle) Active, charging (battery empty)
Blinks GREEN in a sequence to indicate the
number of days of charge remaining; e.g. 4
blinks indicates 4 days of charge remaining
(the blink sequence repeats every 5 sec)
Blinks RED quickly every 5 sec Active, not charging and battery almost empty -
Steady RED Active, not charging and battery empty -
Blinks RED quickly 5 times per second Inactive
LED is not lit (when in cradle) In ‘sleep mode’
LED is not lit Battery is completely discharged
Active, not charging and battery charge is
getting low
less than 1 day of charge left
transponder will stop working at any moment
4.2.2 Cradle LED indicator
The LED on the cradle blinks or glows to show its current status - see following table:
Cradle LED Status
4 Functional description
Blinks GREEN Connected to PC or to power source
Steady RED (with transponder loaded) In error state
Blinks RED In error state
Page 10 of 32 Flex MX Transponder & Flex Manager User Manual (Revision 1.0)
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