Timer AC4
Four Timer Autocross Timing System

AC4 Package Pix
RaceAmerica's newest model 3850 Timer AC4 can actively time up to four cars on the track at the same time and display them in real time with thousandth of a second accuracy. This timer now combines Solo II timing and Solo I lap timing in one timer as well as minutes and seconds timing format (M:SS.FFF) as well as seconds only timing format (SSS.FFF). This is a timer designed to setup easy and run all day as an unattended, standalone timing system starting timers when cars cross the start line and displaying elapsed times when cars cross the finish line. Check out the full set of TIMER AC4 features below:

All new and existing Timer AC4 models be upgraded to take advantage of the T-Link Wireless Sensors to eliminate the Track Cables.
AC4 Wireless Pix Timer AC4 ships with 100 foot interconnect cables between the timer and the start & finish lines. Options include longer track cables or our T-Link Wireless system. T-Link Wireless is available with an integrated internal track sensor or configured to connect to an external track sensor via a 25 foot interconnect cable. The external sensor configuration is designed for applications where it is desirable to re-locate the T-Link Wireless unit away from the track and out of harm's way.
CLICK HERE for more information regarding T-link Wireless system. T-LINK WIRELESS ICON


Timer AC4 Features...
  • When our T-Link Wireless units are connected to the Timer AC4, the timer can monitor the RF Integrity level and Battery level of the T-Link Wireless unit at the start line (ID A) and the finish line (ID B) and the unit connected to the timer (ID Z). Levels are displayed from 0% to 100%.
  • Timers PixLevels Pix
  • To avoid detecting a false trip from the vehicle's rear tire or dust or debri flying about after a vehicle starts or runs through the finish line, the AC4 has selectable Track Sensor Lockout Time. Lockout Time disables the beam after each trip and can be set from 1 to 9 seconds.
  • Timers PixLockout Pix
  • A Heartbeat Indicator flashes the rightmost decimal points to indicate whether the hardwired track sensors are enabled & if the T-Link Wireless is detected. A quick operational check if something goes wrong while timing is active.
  • Heartbeat Pix
  • When a vehicle spins out, ever wish the timer would simply eliminate the running timer for that vehicle? Now a Maximum Run Time can be set to tell the AC4 when to automatically end a run and save the max time as a flag.
  • Run Time Pix
  • Want to manually eliminate a vehicle's time but keep a record the vehicle went off course? A Programmable ‘Off Course’ Time can be set to replace a vehicle's time when the operator decides to eliminate the vehicle manually. The Off Course time is saved for that run.
  • Off Course Pix
  • The AC4 can time Solo II events using separate Start and Finish sensors (Dual mode) or time Solo I events using a single common Start/Finish sensor (Single mode). In Dual mode, Run numbers are tracked while in Single mode, Lap numbers are tracked.
  • Solo I & II Pix
  • Another convenient feature of the AC4 is a resettable Best Time register. The lowest time is saved along with the associated LAP/Run number and can be reset while timing is active.
  • Best Time Pix
  • Have a break in the action? The AC4 contains a standalone Countdown Timer. Set the starting time and the AC4 counts off the seconds sending the count to one of our LED Displays for the crowd to see.
  • Countdown Pix
  • Selectable Timing Formats - Both Minutes & Seconds (M:SS.FFF) and Second Only (SSS.FFF) are available. Switching between them is as simple as selecting the other format and you are ready to time.
  • Hardwired and T-Link Wireless compatible - Switch between hardwired sensors and the T-Link Wireless sensor system or use the hardwire as a backup in the event an accident damages the wireless equipment.
  • Selectable Printer Format – Log Data to log each run or Timeslip to print individual timeslips for each run with a custom header.
  • Programmable Serial Port - Can be set for a Timeslip/Log Printer or it can be used as a secondary PC or Display connection.
  • Selectable number of printed Timeslip copies - Select from 1 to 9 copies of each timeslip to automatically print at the end of a run.
  • Programmable Print Header - Printed at the top of each timeslip, up to 4 lines saved in flash memory.




  • Frequently Asked Questions

    ... and the Answers
    What do I get when I order a Timer AC4 timing system? The system ships complete ready to race, just add batteries! The Timer AC4 Console pictured above contains the integrated 12-button keypad and ultra bright LED Displays. A set of our track proven Infrared technology Beam Emitters and Track Sensors are included for setup on separate start and finish lines. The Emitter/Sensor pair will provide a lane width at the start or finish lines of up to 50 feet wide leaving plenty of room to position these devices back and away from the speeding cars. Two interconnect cables are included to connect the Control Console to the starting line and finish line Track Sensors. These cables are designed to allow the start and finish lines to be located up to 100 feet from the Timer AC4 Console providing flexibility to position the race event booth between the start and finish lines.
    Can I use wireless to the track sensors? Yes, the Timer AC4 can use our T-Link Wireless or standard hardwired cables to connect the track sesnors to the timer. Purchase both and the hardwires can be used as backup in the event the wireless system is damaged during a run.
    What batteries will I need? The Timer AC4 offers a choice to connect the 12 volt DC source to the Control Console. An AC Adapter for events where AC power is available, Alligator Clips to connect to a 12 volt automotive battery, or a Cigarette Lighter Plug to run the timer from the cigarette lighter off a nearby 12 volt negative ground vehicle. The IR Beam Emitters use four-AA size batteries in each unit and last 60 hours or more. The AA-size batteries can be Alkaline or Ni-Cad rechargables.
    Is there an option to display seconds only in place of minutes & seconds? Yes, the Timer AC4 has two display timing formats available, a minutes & seconds format (M:SS,FFF) or a seconds only format (SSS.FFF). The elapsed time can be displayed as M:SS.FFF or as SSS.FFF (where M is minutes, S is seconds, F is fractions of a second).
    How hard is aligning the sensors at the start and finish lines? Place the Timer AC4 into Alignment Mode and the Display monitors the alignment at the start and finish lines. Position the Emitter/Sensor pair into position by eyeballing their alignment. 95% of the time, that's all it takes and is verified by the Timer's Display. Each Emitter/Sensor pair is represented by a digit on the Timer's Display which counts when alignment is incorrect. If the digit counts quickly, the alignment is way off. The closer the alignment, the slower the digits count until the digit stops counting completely to indicate proper alignment.
    Does sunlight interfere with the sensors? RaceAmerica's IR Track Sensors and Beam Emitters are designed to be placed a up to 50 feet apart and operate from total darkness to full, bright sunlight. No need to re-align the sensors everytime the sun comes out from behind the clouds. The IR Beam Emitters generate a dual high-frequency infrared signal which is frequency locked by the Track Sensors. Since sunlight does not contain these frequencies, the Track Sensors separate the sunlight from the Beam Emitters signal eliminating the annoying problem common to sensors with a low-tech solution. These are not purchased infrared devices, RaceAmerica designed these from the ground up.
    How do I stop the timer if a car spins out on the track and does not finish? No more running over to the finish line to block the finish line beam. Determine the maximum run time and program it into the AC4 to automatically stop the appropriate timer or simply press the Manual Stop key when the errand car should be next to cross the finish line. The timer will select the next timer and stop the timer immediately. If you prefer to indicate the car as Off Course, pressing the Off Course key will stop the next timer and set the time to the preset 'Off Course' time.
    What if a worker walks through the finish line and stops a timer? Or I pressed Manual Stop or Off Course at the wrong time? Sooner or later it's going to happen, a timer is stopped by mistake. The Timer AC4 continues to keep track of time even if the displayed timer has stopped! Pressing the Continue key will immediately enable the stopped timer and update the timer with the correct elapsed time as if it was never stopped. This is a great feature to keep the Autocross event moving along, even if the score keepers slip up every so often!
    What if a worker walks through the start line and starts a timer? Or I pressed Manual Start at the wrong time? Sooner or later it's going to happen, a timer is started by mistake. Press the Ignore key to end the timer and mark it to be ignored. This is a great feature to keep the Autocross event moving along, even if the score keepers slip up every so often!
    Can I use the Timer AC4 to time multi-lap events with a common start/finish line? Yes, the new AC4 can operate with separate Start and Finish beams or one common Start/Finish beam for laping events.
    What if a Track Sensor or Beam Emitter gets damaged? Will the timer operate without them? If a Track Sensor or Beam Emitter is damaged, the Timer AC4 can continue to be used in Manual Mode by disabling the sensors on the control console. The Timer AC4 will continue to time cars using the manual start and stop keys on the console. A simple keypress as the car crosses the start line will start the next timer. A keypress of a second key as the car crosses the finish line will stop the next timer. Timer AC4 continues to time up to four cars at a time using Manual Mode to manually start and stop the four timers like four sequential stopwatches.
    Can I hook up a PC or a Laptop Computer to the timer and capture the results? The serial communications port on the Timer AC4 console can be connected to a timeslipprinter, a Laptop, or PC to capture the results with software running in a computer. The following software packages are fully compatible with Timer AC4 and interact with many unique Timer AC4 features. Select a package below and download the demo version of the program:
    Axware logo AXWare for Windows
    from Axware Systems.
    Click here or on the Axware logo to download a demo version of the software package designed for the RaceAmerica Timer AC4 or Click here to visit the Axware Systems website.
    What if I want a Large Display? An external display connector on the Timer AC4 is designed to connect to one of our Large Digital Display units now available. When a car crosses the finish line, the display is updated with the run results for the crowd to review. The Large Digital Displays intelligently interface to RaceAmerica timers as well as many non-RaceAmerica timers and race management software from many third party vendors.
    What other features does the Timer AC4 have? Two other convenience features are included to aid the management of the race event. If all goes wrong on the track, press one button on the keypad to stop all activity on the timer. This allows the ability to restart the timer and the drivers and continue with assigning run numbers. Another feature is the ability to reset the entire timer. This is helpful after setup is complete and the sensors have been triggered during setup starting and stopping timers. One key press and the timer is reset for the first run to begin.
    What do I do to order a Timer AC4?
    Help Me
    Not sure which Autocross model
    and options you need?
    Click here
    to fill out our simple
    6-step quotation form to help us match the system to your racing requirements.
    Want to download a copy of the Timer AC4 Owner's Manual? Click here to download the Owner's Manual in Adobe's Acrobat Reader format (PDF file). If you do not have Adobe(R) Acrobat Reader loaded on your system:
    Get Reader


    IR Sensor/Emitter Pix Emitter Styles Pix
    Infrared Sensor & Emitter AA size Batteries
    RaceAmerica Infrared Sensors overcome the problems with sun light and alignment common with many photocell or low tech infrared solutions. Other manufacturers use photocells which are very sensitive to sunlight and work poorly in bright sunlight. Other manufacturers also use more expensive laser powered beam emitters which generate a bright light to their low tech IR sensors. These seem to work if the sensors are shaded well from sunlight but often are internmittent when running a race event. While others purchase their sensors from outside sources, RaceAmerica's Infrared Sensors were designed by RaceAmerica back in 1991 and we have been perfecting them ever since. Our sensors are designed to operate from total darkness to the brightest sunlight accomplished through a coded digital signal.

    The proven drag racing technology of RaceAmerica's Infrared Track Sensors and Beam Emitters provide line-of-sight detection of moving objects and the Infrared design is immune to radio interference and bright sunlight. The Track Sensors connect to the Timer AC4 system using an RJ-11 connector for fast and easy setup. The Beam Emitters are powered by a choice of four AA-size and provide detection of objects up to 50 feet away.



    Timer AC4 Specifications:
    M:SS.FFF Display Format0.000 to 9:59.999
    SSS.FFF Display Format0.000 to 999.999 seconds
    Hi-Speed Car DetectionEncoded Infrared Beam Emitters
    Timing CapacityFour independent 6-digit displays
    Run/Lap Numbers1 to 999
    Status Display4-line display on Timer
    System Control Type12-button Keypad on Timer
    Power Required12VDC Battery or 110VAC/230VAC Adapter
    IR Beam EmitterFour AA-size batteries

    Add-on Packages:
    T-Link Wireless
    IR Beam Emitter Options
    Large Digital Display
    Sensor & Emitter Stands
    Blow Molded Carrying Case

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