AMB System Problems, please help!
 

We have had some trouble recently with the system, it is working fine for touring cars but is missing laps from buggies. Obviously something to do with transponders being mounted higher up, however all signal strengths appear to be fine. If anyone has any suggestions please pass them on.
Thanks

how was the loop laid out, under carpet or tape?

either way it should pick up the transponder even if mounted on the wings which is about the same height as a TC roof line which is were some TC transponders get mounted

Try swapping the wires from the loop to the interface box.

We've found that we get a better signal when it connected a better way.
Ie the leading wire of the loop connected to a particular connector on the interface box.

MiCk B. :-)

Which decoder and race software are you using?
Is the issue with handout and/or personal transponders?

decoder/software and any trend re th mounting of the transponder?

We had problems aswell, esp. with alu. chassis car ( Durango / Losi 22 ) with the transponder mounted flat on the chassis. ( somehow not a problem when mounted higher :confused:). Using a loop with a new uninsulated (!) wire glued into a rubberplate helped a lot.

Thanks for the tips so far, to clarify we are using the latest bbk (2008!?) and I think a version2? Decoder? Its not the latest model for sure but supports usb connection and pt's. We only use pt's and our loop is held between 2platic sheets which we tape down to the polished wood floor. Strangely never any problems in the past! We will check mounting positions of everyones pt's who are counting vs not counting (maybe coincidentally these were all AE B44's). Ill see if we have another coax cable to try also. Any more ideas welcome.
Thanks

Transponders

AMBrc and MRT both work best when mounted on their base.

Check that no one has the PT's mounted vertically.

Is the loop were the cars accelerate hard out of a corner? This can lead to low power to the PT from the receiver if the esc/motor's are pulling lots of juice.

Are both classes running at the same meeting? Could it be something as simple as the minimum lap time set too long in the offroad class within the race software?

As Chequered said, if the loop is in an acceleration zone, particularly on a corner, you can reach the current limit of the ESC's BEC. This will cause a voltage drop. This can be elieviated with a capacitor added to the receiver. Equally, if the loop is at the fastest point on the track this isn't going to help the situation...

Other than that I would look at changing the loop wire or at least checking it's continuity. We use bell wire (both strands) and peridically change it. Using both strands rather than splitting it gives a built in backup if one wire is damaged. The wire is taped directly to the floor with masking tape.

HTH,
Jon.

We had some odd missed laps at the weekend as well as some low signal readings from PTs mounted with a number of layers between them and the chassis - ie a servo then a brass weight or above a motor.

I agree that Durango DEX410s, Vegas and TLR 22s have made us more aware as club of this potential issue...

bbkRC will tell you the hits & signal strength for each pt used for each lap if you look in the Explore Races - you need to look for some sort of common factor.

If the signal strength of every pt is low - more likely something wrong with the AMB/loop set-up
If all hits are low for every pt - check amb system out - if only some pts, look to the pts
If just some pt's have probs then more likely the pt/esc/buggy issue

All of the other posts are good advice.

Does the loop have it's resistor at the mid point?
Did you change anything from the last time all was well? Like the sheet covering the loop, like the co-ax cable itself?

Sorry, but neither bbkRC nor AMB have a System Restore option :confused: