RaceAmerica Online Forum

I just received a new set of T-Link 3's and have a question about the power output from the RJ45 track sensor connector.

What is the voltage out from this connector and can I drive multiple sensors?

A T-Link history lesson on output voltage from the RJ45:

T-Link 1 output was approximately 12VDC
T-Link 2 output was approximately 9.6VDC
T-Link 3 output is set to 8VDC

If a cable connected to the RJ45 had a power short + to -,

T-Link 1 would trigger a resettable fuse
T-Link 2 would trigger a resettable fuse
T-Link 3 will trigger the battery protection circuit and turn the battery off

Once the overcurrent has triggered the fuse or battery, the T-Link must be powered off then back on after 15-30 seconds.

Wow! I would think 8VDC is pretty low when the signal is run through a long length of wire to the track sensor. Isn't the voltage drop through the cable a concern?

Usually the cables connected to a wireless T-Link are relatively short at under 100ft. Current requirements for a track sensor are small so the voltage drop through the cable is negligible. This probably would be a concern if the cable was 800 or 900ft long, but, this scenario should not exist with the wireless application.

Nice thing about the T-Link Wireless 3.0 is the lower power output, lower power consumption, higher RF output, and full battery protection. All this makes it possible to power the T-Link 3 with the USB Lithium-Ion Battery Pack without issue.

I think our longest cable is about 100 feet, That is because the sensor is down about 20 feet below where the T-Link is located. This keeps the T-Link in line of sight to the timer.