PortaTree Silver Box Professional with Keyboard User Manual

PORTATREE PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTIONS

STAND ALONE

“ WHEN NOT USING A P.C. “

NOTE: DO NOT ATTACH A KEYBOARD TO THE PORTATREE

PROFESSIONAL WHEN USING A PERSONAL COMPUTER AND

CUSTOM SOFTWARE

The Portatree Professional Computer can be used in two modes of operation. It can be
used stand alone with data entry via the IBM compatible keyboard provided, or in conjunction
with an IBM compatible personal computer along with the optional software package available
from Portatree.

The stand-alone mode gives you piece of mind if your P.C. should fail. The Portatree
Professional can still generate timeslips and a data log in the stand alone mode and can still
operate with all of the special features regarding tree types and speeds as well as handicaps
and true win. A Level Shifter must be connected directly to the Portatree Professional in order
to generate time slips in stand alone.

The advantage of running with a Personal Computer is that your race can be run more
efficiently with more information available to your announcer including a data base on each
individual driver. The P.C. allows for multiple vehicle entry while the race is being run. The
P.C. will also contain a running log of all runs that were made on your track from the beginning
until the end of the racing season. For more information on the database and the capabilities of
the software package, please call Portatree.

This instruction sheet is for use with the Portatree Professional in stand-alone mode
only and will not cover any of the features when using the personal computer mode of
operation. If you really want to learn how to use the Portatree Professional quickly, please
review the video tape provided with your system.

The track interface box #1 is used to power the Portatree Professional up when used at
all racetracks. The optional 12-volt power jack is NOT to be used when using a track interface
box. This input jack is to be used for testing only! After your track is completely wired and
tested without the Portatree Professional attached, you can then connect the Portatree
Professional to the system. Make sure the power switch is “OFF” (toggle switch) on the track
interface box #1 before the Portatree Professional is connected to the system.

After all connections to the Portatree Professional computer are complete, power up
the track interface box #1 with 12 volts D.C. power. Portatree recommends an automotive
battery as it is the most reliable and cannot over voltage the system. We also recommend
that a 12 volt -- 6 amp MINIMUM battery charger be used on the battery when in operation.

The first screen that you will see is the serial number, date of manufacture, version
number and hardware configuration codes. The next screen is the main menu:

Competition (this is the racing program)
Diagnostics (for testing purposes only) -- (Non Functional at this time)
System Setup (This is where you can make changes.)

In order to access the desired program, you must select a “C” for competition or an “S”
for system setup. This format of using the first letter of the menu item will be used in most
parts of the Professional’s operation.

SYSTEM SETUP (“S”)

When you depress the “S” you will see:

Printers Oscillate: N
Clock E.T. Start
MPH 066 Timeslip Text
Dual Red:N Sensors

You can access any of the above areas by depressing the first letter of each subject.
“P” Printers
Local Printer Y In order to change the printer settings, depress an “L”. The
Host Mode N (not used) local printer is set to yes if you are connected directly to the`RS 422
2 Color Y (not used) port with a level shifter connected to the timeslip printer. Depress
The “ESCAPE” key to return to setup menu.

“C” Clock

Enter date: mm-dd-yy Example: 05-07-95 May 7, 1995

Enter time: hh-mm-ss Example: 17-34-27 5:34:27 PM military time
If you make a mistake anywhere in this mode continue to end and start over setting the clock.
As long as you do not power down the system, the computer will retain the correct time.

“M” MPH 066

This is where you can set the trap distances for mph or kilometers per hour. Depress
“M” for miles per hour and “K” kilometers per hour. Then type in the distance in feet 066 -- 66
feet, the range is 10 – 132. If kilometers type in 125, which is 12.5 meters, range are 3 – 25
(030 –250).

“D” Dual red:N

To turn on dual reds for time trials, depress D to change the “N” to a “Y”. Red lights
will then show up in both lanes. The first red light will be the automatic loser as in single red
light mode.

“O” Oscillate:N

To turn on this feature, type “O” - - -and the “N” will change to a “Y”. This feature will
oscillate the top amber bulb on both sides of the Christmas tree and both differently -- it can
look like the beginning of a handicapped start. This feature is used where the promoter has a
category of racing where delay boxes are prohibited. With this feature, you do not have to
police the vehicles for delay boxes. Instead, you can allow them because the driver will not be
able to use it off of the top bulb, which is what the promoter wants anyways!!!

“E” ET Start

Stage beam only *** In order to select a method of start depress the “TAB”

Stage and guard key to move the three”***” up and down. If you do not

Guard Beam only has a guard beam, set this on “State Beam Only”. If

More you have a guard beam at an asphalt track, but want
to limit rollout to 15 inches, set this on “Stage and Guard”. If you have a bicycle for example,
that is difficult to stage and would red light if moved a slight amount, then set this on “Guard
Beam Only” so that the bike would have to move 15 inches to break the guard beam and start
the race. Depressing “M” for more: