Update Overview
Periodically, MICROCode Consulting issues updates for Lightning AccuTimers systems. Mostly, these are for Enhancements in functionality but sometimes there are for Bug fixes. Only the last few revisions will be shown for each product.
The most recent version has some major improvements:
- Recover from electric eyes being out of sync. It has happened: the timer is inadvertantly running when it should have been stopped and a rider just passed through the electric eye to start their run. The running timer is stopped instead of starting a new time from zero. No problem! Within 2 minutes of breaking the beam that stops the timer, pressing the STOP (red) button resumes the timer from the moment of that last beam break. Never again ask a rider to repeat their run due to the system being out of sync!
(Not applicable to lane timing events.) - The software update improves battery life in the console and handheld by as much as 25% and in the detector by as much as 40%.
- After the electric eye beam is broken, the eye is now ignored for 5 seconds by default (user settable between 2 and 20 seconds)
- Indicator when electric eyes ignored. While the electric eyes are being ignored, a new symbol ("I") is shown on the display.
- A new menu option has been added to change the time to "ignore eyes after beam break". You can change it any time the detector is connected to the console or handheld. For example, you might raise it to 10 seconds for junior runs (where the horse might be walked) and set it back to a lower value (default of 5 seconds) for regular barrel runs. No more extra starts and stops due to a very slow electric eye crossing.
Detector
There are two types of detectors; your update program will pick the correct firmware version| 1.3c 2.1b |
Enh | Recover from out-of-sync eyes Improved battery life Eyes ignore time after beam break: both default value and allowed range increased |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2e | Enh | Better support for Lane Timing and Reverse Lane Timing |
| 1.2d | Enh | Changed Sorting mode to count down both time and stock counter |
| 1.2c | Enh | Supplemental detector LED blinks green when event is being timed |
| 1.0d | Enh | Support for Relay events |
Console
| 1.3c | Enh | Eyes ignore time after beam break: both default value and allowed range increased Adjustable ignore time after beam break Recover from out-of-sync eyes Improved battery life |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2b | Enh | Better support for Lane Timing and Reverse Lane Timing |
| 1.2a | Enh | Enhanced support for Remote Display Interface |
| 1.1k | Enh | Support for Relay events |
| 1.0b | Bug | Resolved issue where some consoles will lock-up after 23-28 runs |
Handheld
| 1.6c | Enh | Eyes ignore time after beam break: both default value and allowed range increased Adjustable ignore time after beam break Recover from out-of-sync eyes Improved battery life |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2a | Bug | Resolved issue where handheld unit temporarily loses synchronization with detector |
| 1.1k | Bug | Resolved issue where some handhelds will lock-up after 23-28 runs |
Update Instructions
- If you already have installed the Lightning AccuTimers Utility, we strongly recommend you first uninstall it as the older version may not be updated properly.
- Download the software shown at the link below.
If your anti-virus program complains, it has not been updated to recognize this package; ignore the complaint and download anyway. Some anti-virus programs may need to be turned off to download and install. - Run the installation program. Your Windows system may prompt you as follows:
If so, first click on the "More Info" link
Then click on the "Run anyway" button - Once you have worked your way through any Windows or anti-virus barriers to run the program, if asked to update or replace, replace it. The software publiisher should show MICROCode Consulting; if it does not, discard it. Otherwise, proceed with installation.
- Once installation is complete, run the Firmware Update utility program if it is not already running automatically. (There are several program variations installed; choose the correct one.) The main dialog window will show on the screen.
- Plug in your console or handheld unit into the Windows PC using the provided cable.
- It is also HIGHLY recommended that you turn on your detector (the small unit with the antenna). Many updates require the software in this unit be updated as well. (This update is performed over the wireless link between your units.)
- Once the device has been detected, just follow the prompts given by the program to update your equipment.
- NOTE: A program called "ucupdate" will run up to three times during the firmware upgrade process. Your system may prompt you each time it needs to run. Allow it.
Update Download
This Windows™ utility is required to be installed in order to update the Lightning AccuTimers units.
| Package | Download |
|---|---|
| Lightning AccuTimers Configuration and Update Utility | la_util_setup |
Resetting Units
If your Lightning AccuTimers system is not working properly (at any time, but sometimes after an update), the console or handheld or detector may be have to reset to factory settings.
- Console or Handheld Unit:
- Enter the "Menu" by pressing the Menu button
- Press Next until reaching the "Other" menu option
- Press Do to enter the "Other" menu
- Press Next until reaching the "Factory reset" menu option
- Press Do; the unit will reset to factory settnigs and restart
- Detector Unit:
- Ensure detector unit is off and a battery is installed
- Press and hold the red button
- Continue holding the button down until the LED changes from Red to Green
- Release the button
- The LED will show orange momentarily indicating it is resetting memory
- Once reset, the detector will automatically restart