Details for an up2date config PCLC + DS racing (300)

We have decided for a PCLC + DS(300) system on the BiModel analog tracks in Biella (Italy) and we have installed latest PCLC v5.34b.

After connecting and configuring our PC to the DS300 tower via RS232 we tested the PC lap time capturing from DS Racing. So far so good!

Being a noob we still have a couple of questions and we would like to get answer from experienced users...thanks in advance to the ones can help us!

Question 1: reading the forum we've understood in the basic configuration PCLC+DS300 the PC in only able to capture data pushed out from DS300 via RS232 but it CANNOT send commands to the DS because the DS is not enabled for it. Is this understanding correct?

Question 1a: in the configuration described in #1 because no data are sent out from DS system when the Start command is applied using the DS (directly or via the remote control) the only way to control start/stop in a syncronized way is to have DS system active and apply a start/stop power control to PCLC via parallel interface or phidget card. Is this understanding correct?

Question 1b: in the configuration described in #1 again, to properly support what described in #1a the DS system MUST be configured to act as a simple device capturing transits on the check point and calculating basic lap times for each track.
To obtain this the DS system MUST be configured as:
- 9999 laps race distance
- NO minimum lap time
- DS system must be initially activated
- start/stop/pause for each heat/segment will be entirely managed through PCLC
Is this understanding correct?

Question 1c.a: in the configuration described in #1 again, is the DS system sending out data via RS232 when Pause button is pushed on the DS (directly or via remote control) and PCLC capture it properly?
Question 1c.b: If Yes to question 1c, this is also true when pause button is pushed second time to restart the segment?
Question 1c.c: The Pause/Restart in a segment can be on the other side fully managed from PCLC directly?

Question 2: to be able to send commands from PCLC to the DS system it MUST be equipped with PC interface module (code DS-0045) and (maybe) with Stop&Go Box (DS-0061 or DS-0021). Adding this/these module to each DS tower all race control could be managed through PCLC directly (Start/Pause/Restart/Stop for each segment). Which DS module configuration is mandatory to manage a whole race from PCLC?

Question 3: Closing each heat in a fixed time race (5 minutes each segment), there are two different ways to manage things:
- Configuring the system to have each driver completing last lap as soon as last segment of each heat is finished
- From PCLC v5.05 it is also possible to stop power as time ended and collect a number sectors (parts) of last lap for each driver
Is this understanding correct?

Question 4: is the PCLC software able to manage an heat with more drivers than lanes in an analog race? An example: being 9 drivers on a 4 lane tracks is it possible to configure PCLC to manage 2 heats, heat#1 with 4 drivers and heat#2 with 5 drivers? During heat #2 segments one driver is always pausing him/herself helping others to manage deslottings.

Question 5: we would like to distribute in the room a simplified screen with 6 areas:
- one for each lane of the track with:
- current driver
- laps in current segment
- laps in current heat
- last lap
- best lap in current segment
- best lap in current heat
- current heat standing with time gap between positions
- current race standing at same check point of current heat (same minute / same lap of current leader) with a second column reporting final results for drivers of previous heat(s) and extimated final results for drivers of current heat.
Qa: Is this possible?
Qb: Is it mandatory to use 2 monitors conncted to the PC?
Qc: How can be done?

Thanks again for any help...

Wishing speedy laps to everyone :-)

Ciao

1. correct
1a. correct
1b. correct
1ca. yes
1cb. yes
1cc. yes but it will not say to the DS to pause or restart but it's not a problem as PCLC take care of the race.

2. No , you can't add DS-0045 to a DS tower , in fact a DS045 replace a DS tower of four DS300.

3. Yes

4. See section race setting in this forum and also here http://www.pclapcounter.be/race_setting.html

5. I suggest you try the demo version to see the different possibility, more information on display setting here http://www.pclapcounter.be/large_display_-_big_display.html and for the large display here http://www.pclapcounter.be/large_display_-_big_display.html and also here: https://pclapcounter.forumotion.com/f20-zoom-setting

Thanks Guy!
We have already bought the PCLC license because we had inherited some good experience from a friend club in Savona and reading the forum before buying it I discovered also another known user (UdoKuoio). We just need to overcome all hurdles in our specific configuration...

We'll try to put in place your suggestions soon...thanks again for time being!

Ciao