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Instrument
| Sensors |
Timing
Digatron
Instrument checks:
- Are your Instrument batteries low? Are the batteries
installed correctly? If the displays, or backlight
are dim or the unit shuts off check your batteries.
- To begin recording, the instrument must be in Monitor/Record
mode, not Playback Mode. If you see a PRS or MEM annunciator
in the display you are in Playback mode. Press the
exit key, once or twice, to return to Monitor/Record
Mode. Earlier version require you to exit Playback
Mode. Current versions will automatically exit Playback
Mode when they receive a tach signal.
- Earlier version... If your instrument comes on when
the engine is started, but isn’t recording, press
the power button, the manual switch or pass a beacon
and the instrument will begin recording. This usually
happens when the engine starts briefly and then stalls.
When the instrument is recording a colon will be flashing
on the instrument display.
- When the Digatron instrument powers on it is displaying
time in high resolution. The highest time that can
be displayed in high resolution is 1:59.99. Once 1:59.99
is passed the “1” toggles on and off every
two minutes. If your laps are longer than two minutes,
press the two arrow keys simultaneously to change
to low resolution. Your correct number of minutes
will now be displayed and the numbers after the decimal
point will be shifted off the display. You can return
to high resolution by pressing the two arrow keys
again.
- For instruments with the delay, “dly”
feature, check that the seconds entered to ignore
beacons (in setup mode) does not exceed your lap time.
If you are not recording time segments, or laps, set
the delay to “.1”.
- For the manual switch to trigger a lap on a 50 series
instrument, all beacon codes must be set to None.
See your set up instructions.
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Sensors
checks:
Damaged or incorrectly installed sensors (leads) are
often the cause of instrument problems:
Instruments getting a
tach signal from the spark plug wire: For a Digatron
instrument to work correctly the instrument must be
receiving a good tach signal. Tach sensors are small
antennas that pick up the energy radiated by the spark
plug wire. Without a strong tach signal the instrument
will give low erratic tach readings. With no tach signal,
the instrument will not record for more than a few seconds
and will power itself off. Check your tach sensor installation:
Briggs & Stratton
engines: B&S engines, and similar 4 cycles,
have ignitions that produce weaker signals than other
engines. To receive a strong enough signal with these
ignitions, the antenna needs to be longer. The easiest
way to do this is to spiral the colored wire (antenna)
down the spark plug wire.
2-cycle engines:
Generally strong signals are produced. Attaching the
end of the tach sensor to the spark plug wire should
be sufficient. If you experience low erratic tach
readings see A.
Instruments getting power
and tach from the lighting coil: Make sure you
hook the black wire of the power harness directly to
the engine, and hook up the red wire with the fuse holder
directly to output of lighting coil before the regulator.
The power harness uses a ½ amp fuse. Be sure
the power harness is connected to the connector on the
back of the instrument.
- Loose sensor connections to the instrument can cause
erratic or spiked readings. Placing a piece of tape
on sensor connections can help ensure a strong connection.
- Broken and nicked sensors, and sensor wires, can
cause erratic readings to all functions on the instrument.
Replacing one or all of your sensors often solves
the problem. Careful installation, and protection
of sensor wires with plastic tubing, is essential.
Damaged pigtail wires or sensors may give erratic
readings, abnormally high readings, or a "00"
reading.
- Keep your temperature and tachometer leads separated
by at least 3 inches. Do not tie-wrap or tape leads
together, as this can induce noise into the instrument.
- Route the leads as far away from the coil as possible.
- Install the tach lead on the plug wire at least
2 inches back from the plug boot. If you still have
a problem, try a different location on the plug wire.
- Be sure that all sensors are connected to the instrument
and that all connectors fit together snugly. If you
are not using a temperature function, you need to
use a shorting plug on that pigtail. Contact Digatron
for shorting plugs if you will not use one or more
of your temperature functions.
- If you are using an exhaust gas temperature sensor,
make sure it is grounded.
- You can run your leads through separate sections
of fuel line to protect them from cuts and abrasions,
but it will not shield them from ignition noise.
- If your MPH or Jackshaft is erratic check the distance
from the sensor to the collar (or selected trigger).
An 1/8" or less is the ideal setting.
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Timing
checks:
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