Hi, I installed an expansion box to the above set up, to allow me to use a throttle & brake sensor.

Things seemed ok for a few runs but now when viewing the videos, the data (rpm/temp/speed/brake/throttle) values are all fluctuating?

The video is fine & this does not happen every run but it does happen throughout the days running.

I’m not sure if it’s a bad connection or a faulty expansion box perhaps?

The expansion box takes it power from the kart battery. The mychron/camera (video) etc all working fine, just the overlayed data fluctuates?

Any ideas as to why?

thanks in advance

 

Your suspicion on bad connection or internal poor connection in the Expansion box sounds most likely.

 

Thanks for the reply Coach, i did notice the power lead into the expansion box, has a tight bend just before it enters the box, that may be the cause?

Also the connections of the power lead at the battery are very thin wire, perhaps this too could be the cause?

If neither of those rectify the problem, I think the expansion box might well be at fault?

thanks again Coach

 

Is the data the same fluctuations as the video?

Firmware all up to date?

 

Thanks for the reply Matt, it’s only the data overlayed on the video that fluctuates, the video footage is fine.

Mychron 5 & SmartyCam software up to date.

 

Power to the MyChron, power to the Expansion module or the cable to the camera. Wiggle and see.

 

How is the actual data when downloaded though? That will tell you a lot. Check connections and power supply.

 

 

I’ve not looked at the data & not too sure what I’d be looking for to be honest.

The Mychron takes its power from the expansion hub & I don’t have the internal battery fitted to the Mychron & it doesn’t flicker, so I’m assuming it’s not losing the feed from the expansion box?

 

I’ve also just noticed the data is also fluctuating, even when the kart engine is not running?

Connections all seem ok.

https://youtu.be/3BoBWvm1yJA

 

If the data is fluctating into the M5, then that is where the problem starts. Don't worry about the video. Check power to the M5 and connections at it. If you you are using the expansion, make sure that is all good.

 

@JGM3, you were right all along in looking at the Expansion, which feeds power to the MC5 and is the reason why the data "winks out" in both the SmartyCam (because if the logger loses power, the data feed to the camera loses power) and the logger (verified by looking at the data, as Matt suggested).

I would send the Expansion module in to have the board connections internal to the module checked. If your battery connection is good, and the cable from the Expansion to the MC5 is tight and well connected to the MC5, than it has to be inside the Expansion.

 

Thanks guys, I’ll get this sorted asap. I’ll let you know the outcome.

Just out of interest, at present, I run the M5/SmartyCam/exp box from the kart battery, this used to charge whilst the engine was running but now we use a different ignition system that does not charge the kart battery.

I’m thinking about using a stand alone battery for the Aim equipment & would like to ask if you can recommend a suitable battery & charger?

thanks again guys!

 

Call AiM and see what they recommend. I tend to go towards an Antigravity, but there are probably lots of lithium batteries that are light and reasonably priced.

 

Where are you located so we can recommend a local source.