AMBRC - Need Help
02-07-2009, 09:32 AM
#2
From the decoder box, you can use a standard CoAx cable with the BNC connectors on the ends.
I've made up a couple different boxes for them to plug in to with stuff from Radio Shack or a local electronic store.
I took a bnc connector (bolt on type) fastened it to a project box, installed two banana screw jacks to the other side of the box.
ran one wire from each side of the BNC connector to each banana jack.
That gives you your hookup box.
For LOOP Wire across the track, I simply use 22-24 gauge SPEAKER Wire.
ANY electric wire will work. That larger wire the better it picks up, but small thin wire works fine too. (I run On-Road and OVAL and use GORILLA TAPE to hold the wire to the track surface) I replace the actual LOOP wire every race, cause we have a temporary location, and with CHEAP WIRE it's not worth pealing it out of the tape.
Roll of 24 ga. Speaker wire @ Wal-Mart
Roll of GORILLA TAPE @ Wal-Mart
The LOOP is just an antenna. It can be as close as 8-9 inches apart, or as far as 15-16 inches. (I usually do it about a ft. apart)
NOTE: You really don't even need the BOX
You can just get a BNC Connector and wire it directly, but in a box it helps keep the wires from touching and grounding itself out.)
I've made up a couple different boxes for them to plug in to with stuff from Radio Shack or a local electronic store.
I took a bnc connector (bolt on type) fastened it to a project box, installed two banana screw jacks to the other side of the box.
ran one wire from each side of the BNC connector to each banana jack.
That gives you your hookup box.
For LOOP Wire across the track, I simply use 22-24 gauge SPEAKER Wire.
ANY electric wire will work. That larger wire the better it picks up, but small thin wire works fine too. (I run On-Road and OVAL and use GORILLA TAPE to hold the wire to the track surface) I replace the actual LOOP wire every race, cause we have a temporary location, and with CHEAP WIRE it's not worth pealing it out of the tape.
Roll of 24 ga. Speaker wire @ Wal-Mart
Roll of GORILLA TAPE @ Wal-Mart
The LOOP is just an antenna. It can be as close as 8-9 inches apart, or as far as 15-16 inches. (I usually do it about a ft. apart)
NOTE: You really don't even need the BOX
You can just get a BNC Connector and wire it directly, but in a box it helps keep the wires from touching and grounding itself out.)
02-08-2009, 12:02 AM
#3
From the decoder box, you can use a standard CoAx cable with the BNC connectors on the ends.
I've made up a couple different boxes for them to plug in to with stuff from Radio Shack or a local electronic store.
I took a bnc connector (bolt on type) fastened it to a project box, installed two banana screw jacks to the other side of the box.
ran one wire from each side of the BNC connector to each banana jack.
That gives you your hookup box.
For LOOP Wire across the track, I simply use 22-24 gauge SPEAKER Wire.
ANY electric wire will work. That larger wire the better it picks up, but small thin wire works fine too. (I run On-Road and OVAL and use GORILLA TAPE to hold the wire to the track surface) I replace the actual LOOP wire every race, cause we have a temporary location, and with CHEAP WIRE it's not worth pealing it out of the tape.
Roll of 24 ga. Speaker wire @ Wal-Mart
Roll of GORILLA TAPE @ Wal-Mart
The LOOP is just an antenna. It can be as close as 8-9 inches apart, or as far as 15-16 inches. (I usually do it about a ft. apart)
NOTE: You really don't even need the BOX
You can just get a BNC Connector and wire it directly, but in a box it helps keep the wires from touching and grounding itself out.)
I've made up a couple different boxes for them to plug in to with stuff from Radio Shack or a local electronic store.
I took a bnc connector (bolt on type) fastened it to a project box, installed two banana screw jacks to the other side of the box.
ran one wire from each side of the BNC connector to each banana jack.
That gives you your hookup box.
For LOOP Wire across the track, I simply use 22-24 gauge SPEAKER Wire.
ANY electric wire will work. That larger wire the better it picks up, but small thin wire works fine too. (I run On-Road and OVAL and use GORILLA TAPE to hold the wire to the track surface) I replace the actual LOOP wire every race, cause we have a temporary location, and with CHEAP WIRE it's not worth pealing it out of the tape.
Roll of 24 ga. Speaker wire @ Wal-Mart
Roll of GORILLA TAPE @ Wal-Mart
The LOOP is just an antenna. It can be as close as 8-9 inches apart, or as far as 15-16 inches. (I usually do it about a ft. apart)
NOTE: You really don't even need the BOX
You can just get a BNC Connector and wire it directly, but in a box it helps keep the wires from touching and grounding itself out.)
and sometime it's cant detect at all....
any other tips ?
please advise...
02-08-2009, 08:25 PM
#6
I'm surprized that worked for you SW. I've tried it myself with VERY poor results! Whenever I tried it, the background noise was up around 80 - 100... and most of the cars dont count. If the BG noise is above 50 -60 I start having problems. If everything is "right" on the car (battery voltage is up, PT laying flat, not on metal or CF), they were the only cars that count.
You need that box! whether its the old stile stand alone, or the new stile all in one. Not sure of the componets that are in it, but according to AMB it should read 100k ohms. Without it I have 0 ohms.
You need that box! whether its the old stile stand alone, or the new stile all in one. Not sure of the componets that are in it, but according to AMB it should read 100k ohms. Without it I have 0 ohms.
02-08-2009, 08:33 PM
#7
I have one of the early rc3 decoder boxs. The only time I've had problems is when I messed with the COAX. With the right COAX never had a problem with old HTP's, new HTP's, all different age PT's, or MRT PTX's
02-08-2009, 08:40 PM
#8
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
Ed...... we're using the AMB coax and loop cables. Any ideas would be helpful. I've got a lot of unhappy racers right now with $100 amb pt's that don't work on the RC3 but they did on the RC decoder box. I've heard the same issues with others out there as well.
02-08-2009, 09:04 PM
#9
I've been there...its not fun! But my problems were self inflicted as I wanted a shorter COAX.... and didn't want to buy another AMB cable. I would check your BG noise first... its a simple thing and easily over looked. It could be something as simple as a dirty or bad BNC connector... been there. I would still test the COAX.... and check it from both ends.... Just going by the troubleshooting guild in the manual. Thats the only thing thats caused me problems.
I've heard of people having problems with the rc3... but I havent had any. Mines about 3 years old.
I've heard of people having problems with the rc3... but I havent had any. Mines about 3 years old.
02-08-2009, 09:47 PM
#11
Older system20's used something like this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Transponder-Loop...3286.m20.l1116
My experiance has been, you need it or the newer cable with the box built in.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Transponder-Loop...3286.m20.l1116
My experiance has been, you need it or the newer cable with the box built in.
02-08-2009, 10:22 PM
#12
Older system20's used something like this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Transponder-Loop...3286.m20.l1116
My experiance has been, you need it or the newer cable with the box built in.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Transponder-Loop...3286.m20.l1116
My experiance has been, you need it or the newer cable with the box built in.
that all ?
02-09-2009, 12:11 AM
#14
I've dealt with the guy in Austraila and he's a good guy...
The boxes I built had nothing in side of them, just the BnC bolted to one side and the banana jacks on the other and looked on the outside very similar. (I always put about 3 - 4 ounces of LEAD WEIGHT inside the box so it didn't move around.
I used the RG8 coax cable and NEVER had an issue with the old AMB20 and AMB8800 conversion systems, and when I got my NEW AMBrc system a few years ago, I continued to use the OLD Coax deal instead of the pretty NEW YELLOW Wired AMB w/ the deal on the end of it. (Over a year and a half)
When I sold off my old systems, I sold the old style boxes that I made with them...and started using the actual AMB decoder loop coax. (Which I still connect SPEAKER WIRE to for the actual loop.)
RUBEN! Did you sell off the old AMBrc decoder?
The guys in LINDSAY bought a new AMBrc3 system and I tried to use it once with the ALLEYCAT software I believe..and had NO LUCK (Thankfully I brought MY computer and decoder with me and just used mine)
The boxes I built had nothing in side of them, just the BnC bolted to one side and the banana jacks on the other and looked on the outside very similar. (I always put about 3 - 4 ounces of LEAD WEIGHT inside the box so it didn't move around.
I used the RG8 coax cable and NEVER had an issue with the old AMB20 and AMB8800 conversion systems, and when I got my NEW AMBrc system a few years ago, I continued to use the OLD Coax deal instead of the pretty NEW YELLOW Wired AMB w/ the deal on the end of it. (Over a year and a half)
When I sold off my old systems, I sold the old style boxes that I made with them...and started using the actual AMB decoder loop coax. (Which I still connect SPEAKER WIRE to for the actual loop.)
RUBEN! Did you sell off the old AMBrc decoder?
The guys in LINDSAY bought a new AMBrc3 system and I tried to use it once with the ALLEYCAT software I believe..and had NO LUCK (Thankfully I brought MY computer and decoder with me and just used mine)
02-09-2009, 05:57 AM
#15
Tech Adept
iTrader: (6)
The "box" part of the cable is an impedance matching transformer.
I have heard of guys using a bnc to rg6 type adapter and using an old one from a TV. If your old enough to remember hooking a VCR up to a TV with rabbit ears, it was that round adapter with the coax on one end and two wires on the other. It may not have the proper values, but has got to be better that nothing.
Also remember to put a 470 ohm resistor mid-point through the loop.
If it were me, I would get the box on ebay from bigfix in Australia, I have only heard good things about his stuff.
.
I have heard of guys using a bnc to rg6 type adapter and using an old one from a TV. If your old enough to remember hooking a VCR up to a TV with rabbit ears, it was that round adapter with the coax on one end and two wires on the other. It may not have the proper values, but has got to be better that nothing.
Also remember to put a 470 ohm resistor mid-point through the loop.
If it were me, I would get the box on ebay from bigfix in Australia, I have only heard good things about his stuff.
.