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| Misc Equipment (2108 Posts)
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Beam me up.
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On 9/14/2003
Michael
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
Thanks HR, I've tried a few IR beams now, and after reading CC's review of IR beams I have put my energies into making a cheap tape switch option. My concerns were Californian sunlight, and the need to spary wheels or change socks as he mentioned.
The paid for strips seem so expensive (and mine dont work well for me) that I am adapting an aluminium carpet strip, laying a line of foam window insulation tape with a strip of foil attached to it. Its looking good so far. My ideal is that the strips should be easy enough, and cheap enough for slalomer to make a couple of spares, and to keep the cost to below $10 a strip. Of course you may choose the pro tapeswtches, but if a timer can be kept to below, say $60 we have the chance of many skaters taking the plunge. Also the less batteries the better. And tapes use 12 less AA's than beams.
If anyone has made simple tapeswitches then let me know.
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IR Beams
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On 9/13/2003 hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
Have you tried the units that come with Garage door openers?
The new ones seem to have two freq's of light that they use and have never failed the foot/cat/dog/kid test on all the garage doors that I've used.
They also don't seem to be effected by very bright sunlight at all.
I have no idea how they would interface with a timer, but they are capable of sending some sort of a triggerable message.
just a thought... HR
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Tape switches
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On 9/13/2003 Michael
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
What tapes switches are you using? We used the 131b's from tapswitch.com Expensive. I have made some out of carpet joiners and foam insulation tape, which I'll test Sunday too.
IR might work better here as we have less sun?
Maybe you have solved why the Swiss ALL wear black socks?
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Tapeswitches
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On 9/13/2003
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
(66.116.nnn.nnn)
Hmm. I've found exactly the opposite to be true. Everyime my wheels run over a (good) tapeswitch I get a time. Every "beamed" device I've seen is hit or miss. At one race at WLAC, anyone wearing white sox failed to record a time. At Kona, a guy with translucent wheels couldn't get a time until he spray-painted his wheels black (true story).
I have had a bad tapeswitch that was intermitantly failing but as soon as it was replaced, the wired/tape switched system was bulletproof.
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Timing is everything...
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On 9/13/2003
Michael
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
Well i tested my home brew sytem the (Gav- Argos)last night on the Hove seafront.
First finding, the tapeswitches ar really unreliable. Don't like them one bit. Wheels tend to bounce over them and failed to register times.
I sourced some great optical gates (Code VH87U www.maplin.co.uk)
These worked out at £20 each ($30) and were adjustable in sensitivity and make an awful beep sound which I like as it provides a warning noise to coneheads and reassurance that the beam registered a rider. Simple wiring across the buzzer provides the 0n/Off switch that is then passed to the transmiter aerial. It registered evry rider last night.
I did a test along the seafront and found range to be 300metres or so, 900ft. I'm using a stubby car radio aerial as a transmitter, instead of the wire that came with the "Demon Dribbler" kit. I'd appreciate any advice on how to boost this signal, either with advice on improving the transmitter aerials and/or boosting the output with a simple circuit? I did wire a spool of 300 ft cable so that the transmitter could be moved closer to the handheld unit, but its not as elegant as a strong wireless system.
I'm sure the IR gates can be sourced cheaply in the US, but I havnt seen the "Demon Dribbler" or similar anywhere.
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Duane's Tip
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On 9/11/2003 hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
Thanks Duane!! HR
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Slide glove plastic
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On 9/11/2003
Duane
wrote in from
(64.223.nnn.nnn)
ran into this guy's stuff on eBay. Lots of plastic cut-offs, for reasonable prices. You usually get seriously ripped off for small stock, like at McMaster. Check this one out for slide gloves, in the rare black color:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29402&item=2556511886
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street cones
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On 9/8/2003
DsdJ
wrote in from
(206.190.nnn.nnn)
Street cone plastic works good on home made gloves, i like to use ski gloves or some s#@!.
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slide gloves
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On 9/5/2003
swooper
wrote in from
(69.20.nnn.nnn)
I'm having good results gluing cutting-board plastic to leather work gloves with Household Goo. The Goo won't hold to the plastic without help, though. I'm drilling the plastic with dozens of shallow, small holes, 1/8 inch diameter, 1/8 inch deep. Apply the Goo to the plastic, trying to squirt it into the holes, then apply some weight to the assembled gloves overnight. With a jigsaw, a drill, and just a few bucks you can have the gloves that will set you free on the hill!
best wishes,
Paul Brabenec,
Victor, Idaho
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BRAKEBOARD with a hand lever
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On 9/5/2003
Tim
wrote in from
(66.189.nnn.nnn)
Woah, don't drill a hole in your deck yet...! If you have a BRAKEBOARD skateboard brake system then you're gonna want to check out www.nojoh.com.
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head lamps
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On 8/31/2003 nightsurfer
wrote in from
(24.175.nnn.nnn)
leds are very good at using minimal amounts of battery life but if you want an intense beam of light, regular filiment bulbs like halogen or zeon(?)can be pushed to great tolerances with a 9 volt battery,the drawback being it gets very hot!battery life would only last one to two days at the most.more if you used alot of double "a" batteries about 6.all you would need is a little imagination and soldering iron.btw you cant push leds too far past thier max operating voltage without a meltdown.
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Flux Riser
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On 8/26/2003
Brian
wrote in from
(68.2.nnn.nnn)
You can purchase 2 lighted risers from fluxrisers.com for 39.00 ....
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led
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On 8/23/2003
david
wrote in from
(209.86.nnn.nnn)
the light i decribed in my prevoius post is what i think is the best LED headlamp on the market, i work at a camping store, so i know alot of brands. unlike most other LEDs, this one seems to have a more focused beam, and a better reflector that shoots a stronger beam. i have'nt used them for skated, but at night i can see 20 ft. away.
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head lamps
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On 8/23/2003 hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
David,
Do those throw enough light to be of good use to the rider? How would you compare them to different flashlights?
I am interested in getting something that works well, but don't want to waste $'s on something that just works 'ok'.
I have seen some 7 led flashlights that run on a handfull of aaa's or aaaa's that throw a good amount of light... but they aren't too handy.
HR
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princeton tec
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On 8/21/2003
david
wrote in from
(209.86.nnn.nnn)
as for nightriding, a good LED headlamp is the way to go. i would reccommend the aurora by princeton tec, light, very bright 3 LEd beam. only 30 bucks to.
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led lights for nightriding
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On 8/21/2003 kyle
wrote in from
(139.68.nnn.nnn)
anyone know of any sites that show you how to make your own. if not, any ideas of how to make them. thanks
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crayon bearings
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On 8/19/2003 barney
wrote in from
(63.203.nnn.nnn)
ever hear of them
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Tail block protectors
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On 8/1/2003 Sarah
wrote in from
(139.177.nnn.nnn)
I'd like some additional advice about making tail protectors for my park boards.Can I get some more specific details about optimal materials, how large to make them, and where to drill the deck to attach them. Any other info is greatly appreciated. Thanks to those folks who suggested making my own tail blocks on the riding tech. section.
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Custom Stickers!
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On 7/23/2003 hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
I am very satisifed with the stickers and decals that Ed Lynn made up for me... hit the link to see some that he has done for others around here.
Zero set up... my 300 dpi artwork... no minimums... great pricing... fast shipping... all add up to an excellent experience working with the people at edsbearings.com! Thanks Ed! HR
Custom Stickers Page
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Collapsable sail
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On 7/22/2003 Duane
wrote in from
(64.223.nnn.nnn)
an umbrella ?
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Hand Held Sail?
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On 7/22/2003 Iolus-Mensch
wrote in from
(24.71.nnn.nnn)
I was wondering if anyone knows of some kind of hand held sail that I could use for when the winds pick up? I'm not looking for a full size wind sail for the water, but something more along the lines of a kite. It would have to be collapsable, so that I can keep it in my backpack, have a rigid frame, and look pretty cool :) I was thinking that one of those stunt kites might work, but I don't think the frames would work for using it as a hand held.
I'll try to do a simple drawing to give you guys a better idea of what I want. Later tonight.
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Etnies Natas
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On 7/20/2003
K-LEE
wrote in from
(129.24.nnn.nnn)
Anyone know where I can actually score a pair of these?
http://www.etnies.com/skate/footwear/natas/
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safety gear
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On 7/17/2003 hilary
wrote in from
(63.202.nnn.nnn)
what type of safety gear do you recommend?
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NOjOH for BRAKEBOARD
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On 7/16/2003
Tim
wrote in from
(68.184.nnn.nnn)
Hey, if you have a BRAKEBOARD brake system or want one and don't want to drill a hole in your deck or use the foot pedal, you'll want to use the NOjOH conversion kit. It turns the already awesome BRAKEBOARD brake into an even better hand controlled brake. Go to skateluge.com and get the link.
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actually
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On 7/16/2003 hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
Actually they are stickers and "decals"... not labels (I was experiencing some of my usual brainfade... HR
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