Transponders at LRRS

[Schramm]

I'm looking to purchase a transponder, since I will be racing a lot. The rule book says anything that works with the MyLaps Tranx260 system, would that include this? It is the only thing on the MyLaps site that looks similar to what we rent at the track, and it looks like you can have one for $150, but that might only work for a year, it's pretty vague.

[GingahNinjah]

Yes that is the transponder. it works on an annual subscription. the initial purchase fee covers the first year. dont forget to register it online!

[Jim]

they're usually $300 used on the WERA classifieds if you'd rather buy one

[Gecko]

Alex, buy one used. Keep an eye on WERA classifieds as Jim said ... there are a couple of other sites too. I'll keep an eye out for ya too.

[Schramm]

Thanks John. It seems like the going rate on WERA is ~ $300

A brand new one is $150 for the first year, then $100 per year after. Even if you don't consider the warranty, only by the 3rd year will the used one start to make sense, right? I'm not sure where I'll be in 3 years, who plans that far ahead!?

What am I missing here?

[csmutty]

If you get out you can still get $300 for it and get all your money back.

That's what you're missing

[Gecko]

If you get out you can still get $300 for it and get all your money back.

That's what you're missing

Smutty is spot on ... sell it for $300 when/if you move on from here.

[nhbubba]

If you happen to wind up with one that has a poopy battery, you can get it repaired for a little under $100 including shipping. Downside is the guy that repairs them is in Australia. So there is a lead time.

This is arguably not the right place. But I forgot to ask someone this weekend. Any suggestions on care and feeding of these rechargeable transponders between rounds? I forgot about it and left it on the bike and mine now shows a solid red light.

[csmutty]

If you happen to wind up with one that has a poopy battery, you can get it repaired for a little under $100 including shipping. Downside is the guy that repairs them is in Australia. So there is a lead time.

This is arguably not the right place. But I forgot to ask someone this weekend. Any suggestions on care and feeding of these rechargeable transponders between rounds? I forgot about it and left it on the bike and mine now shows a solid red light.

That is fine. Let it fully discharge like you did between rounds. Just make sure that it gets a complete charge at least every 3 months.

[rolker]

I ignore mine until the next round. I bought mine used from the track when they switched to owning them, and mine still holds a charge for 4 or 5 days. It's probably normal that yours shows a red light by now.

[tls25rs]

Any suggestions on care and feeding of these rechargeable transponders between rounds? I forgot about it and left it on the bike and mine now shows a solid red light.

They like to be charged every so often or the batteries have issues. Some will do them every three months or so over the winter months. I have gotten in the habit of every time I pay my condo fee I charge my transponder. Works out well for me and keeps the transponder happy. During the race season charging them for the once a month race weekends is sufficient.

As far as your red light goes it is probably just the transponder on it's last little bit of charge telling you that it is there. The light will shut off shortly until the next time you charge it for fourteen hours and then you should see the happy multiple green blinks of a charged transponder.

[nhbubba]

I figured it was normal. I charged it a few days before last weekend once I got it back from repair in Australia. Not surprised at all that it would be nearly dead by now.

[rolker]

I haven't RTFMed, but rumor has it that the number of green blinks is the number of days remaining on the current charge.

[tls25rs]

Here is a link so that you guys can RTFM if so desired

http://transponderservices.com/docs/...ing_Manual.pdf

The battery charging pages are 13 and 14. Interesting tid bit on a "sleep mode" on page 14.

[butcher bergs]

If you happen to wind up with one that has a poopy battery, you can get it repaired for a little under $100 including shipping. Downside is the guy that repairs them is in Australia. So there is a lead time.

It can be done at home if one has an oven and maybe some soldering skills

[jasnmar]

You can also put it in the charging stand, without the charger connected to it to put the transponder in "sleep mode". This is supposed to tripleish the discharge time. You'll still want to charge it before the next round.

[nhbubba]

Huh. Mine didn't have a manual to RTF. Didn't occur to me to check the interwebz.
Pamphlet the guy from Australia sent with mine says the 'sleep' mode isn't a replacement for charging it at least every 3 months.

Anyways. Sounds like the summary is like most things in life : don't worry too much about it.

[jasnmar]

Sleep mode isn't a replacement for charging, but if you have one that only lasts for a couple days and wanted to run the classic, if you manage where it is, it could be made to last.

Partial charging also isn't recommend I think.

[jasnmar]

It can be done at home if one has an oven and maybe some soldering skills

Oven to "bake" the case apart?

[Jim]

No! You have to mail it to the guy in Australia. Wanda would ship a case of them every winter. I had mine done 2 years ago too.

[nhbubba]

Mine had been repaired once before already. Looks like they dremel the case on two sides and then 'weld' it back together when closing it up. I'm told there is an epoxy or goop holding all the internals in place. The oven is likely required to soften that.

I'm a fairly aggressive DIY'er and will do an awful lot I probably shouldn't do to save a buck. But this seemed like something well worth farming out. YMMV, obviously.

If it helps, the AUS dollar is down compared to the USD right now. So the service is effectively cheaper than it may have been in the past.

[jasnmar]

I have no immediate need, just curious.

[The Snowman]

Average on WERA classifieds for transponder w/ charger is between $300 and $350.

I can be persuaded to sell mine for $300, transponder, charger, and mount. Charged quarterly, as instructed when not being used and holds a 4+ day charge as it's done for the 4 years I've owned it.

[loudbeard]

I went with the subscription transponder. $165 trackside at Street & Comp. $92 for subsequent yearly subscriptions, less if you buy multi year. I waited until the last minute and at this point in the year it made more sense to put up less money up front.

I don't see any reason you couldn't sell it for $100 when you decide to get out.

[isaac_]

Average on WERA classifieds for transponder w/ charger is between $300 and $350.

I can be persuaded to sell mine for $300, transponder, charger, and mount. Charged quarterly, as instructed when not being used and holds a 4+ day charge as it's done for the 4 years I've owned it.

I'm listening... is 300 cash enough persuasion?