Traqmate & Chasecam Install Exige S

[Certified Lotus]

A couple of months ago I asked for ideas on where to install a traqmate in a Lotus. Didn't get a specific response from anyone on the forum.......so I went thru my own thinking process and here are the results. I had installed the Chase Cam last year in front of the drivers seat and was very happy with the location from an operating standpoint. The Traqmate solution was based on the fact that the display controls all the functions and if you have a Chase Cam and want to integrate the Traqmate, the location needs to be close to connect. The GPS antenna location was based on maximum view of satellites while on the track, no blinds spots.
Installation done by Sports & Specialists Cars in Hopewell, NJ.

[Randy Chase]

Nice!

[apk919]

Nice installation! How did you attach the brackets holding the ChaseCam and Traqmate? Did you have to drill/tap into the aluminum extrusion?

Also, is it necessary for the Traqmate GPS antenna to be outside the car? Given that the clam and roof are fiberglass, it would seem that the antenna could still be inside the car. After all, the stock location for the satellite radio antenna is in the instrument binnacle, and I've had my Garmin GPS under the roof and functioning perfectly...

[Certified Lotus]

Originally Posted by apk919

Nice installation! How did you attach the brackets holding the ChaseCam and Traqmate? Did you have to drill/tap into the aluminum extrusion?

Also, is it necessary for the Traqmate GPS antenna to be outside the car? Given that the clam and roof are fiberglass, it would seem that the antenna could still be inside the car. After all, the stock location for the satellite radio antenna is in the instrument binnacle, and I've had my Garmin GPS under the roof and functioning perfectly...

I did tap into the aluminum extrusion for all brackets. Small holes well placed.

Regarding the antenna location, I spoke with lots of racers who had every kind of antenna install you could imagine (on many types of cars). Common comment was if the antenna is on the roof you won't loose the signal. Any other location had some type of signal problem somewhere on the track.

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by Certified Lotus

I did tap into the aluminum extrusion for all brackets. Small holes well placed.

Regarding the antenna location, I spoke with lots of racers who had every kind of antenna install you could imagine (on many types of cars). Common comment was if the antenna is on the roof you won't loose the signal. Any other location had some type of signal problem somewhere on the track.

i just installed the same system in my 944 yesterday.
i just used velcro for the traqmate and also for the chasecam since the system will be going from the 944 to the db-1 each event
i used really strong velco and the units wont be going anywhere, i had to pry them up with a screwdriver to bring them back in the house until the weekend.

the antenna certainly must be on the roof, or highest point of the car to function w/o interuption. i like the way you routed the antenna through the back hatch , i will copy that on my 944, as i didnt think of going that route, and was going to just run the wire out the pax window taping down the wire so it didnt blow around.

my only concern with how you located things is with the display unit for the traqmate. can you even reach it while strapped in the drivers seat?

the other real issue with that location is that you need to look away from the road a fair amount to see the unit which is a big disctraction when at speed. I would have put some velcro on the bottom of the unit and put it on the dash, or put velcro, or the traqmate dashmount for the display somewhere near your gauge cluster, and put it in arms reach and where you are not looking far away from the road to see it.

i used H+L 400 from pegasusautoracing.com, but it was too strong, so i mixed one side with H+L 170.

i know for the traqmate to work that you need to mark the start/finish line once for each track you are on for the gps to locate that and start your traqmate sensors, and also turn on the chasecam in the process. can you reach the display unit where it is?

the system looks like a powerful tool, i look forward to mine this weekend in my scca race, and i really hope i can cram the things into the swift db-1.

[Certified Lotus]

Originally Posted by fishguy

i just installed the same system in my 944 yesterday.
i just used velcro for the traqmate and also for the chasecam since the system will be going from the 944 to the db-1 each event
i used really strong velco and the units wont be going anywhere, i had to pry them up with a screwdriver to bring them back in the house until the weekend.

the antenna certainly must be on the roof, or highest point of the car to function w/o interuption. i like the way you routed the antenna through the back hatch , i will copy that on my 944, as i didnt think of going that route, and was going to just run the wire out the pax window taping down the wire so it didnt blow around.

my only concern with how you located things is with the display unit for the traqmate. can you even reach it while strapped in the drivers seat?

the other real issue with that location is that you need to look away from the road a fair amount to see the unit which is a big disctraction when at speed. I would have put some velcro on the bottom of the unit and put it on the dash, or put velcro, or the traqmate dashmount for the display somewhere near your gauge cluster, and put it in arms reach and where you are not looking far away from the road to see it.

i used H+L 400 from pegasusautoracing.com, but it was too strong, so i mixed one side with H+L 170.

i know for the traqmate to work that you need to mark the start/finish line once for each track you are on for the gps to locate that and start your traqmate sensors, and also turn on the chasecam in the process. can you reach the display unit where it is?

the system looks like a powerful tool, i look forward to mine this weekend in my scca race, and i really hope i can cram the things into the swift db-1.

I have the system set up with a remote start/stop button for both the Chase Cam and the Traqmate so all the "pre-race" set up is done prior to start and only push one button on the grid, which is accessible with 5 point harness on. I don't need to reach the display. Regarding even looking at the display.....no way. Determined that I didn't even want to think about trying to see the display while at speed, so line of sight was not a concern. The analysis of data comes after each session........not during.

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by Certified Lotus

I have the system set up with a remote start/stop button for both the Chase Cam and the Traqmate so all the "pre-race" set up is done prior to start and only push one button on the grid, which is accessible with 5 point harness on. I don't need to reach the display. Regarding even looking at the display.....no way. Determined that I didn't even want to think about trying to see the display while at speed, so line of sight was not a concern. The analysis of data comes after each session........not during.

one of the best tools anyone can have is a lap timer, which the traqmate functions as very well, it was actually one of the reasons i got this unit.

w/o a laptimer, a driver is just driving around blind and lost as to what is working or not working.

i check my lap timer every lap without exception, and I try for laps that are fast, and consistant.
checking after the session is too late IMO to make the accurate adjustments to correct wrong doings, and to build on things that one is doing correctly.

I do look at all of my laptimes after a session as well, but it really only to see how consistant i can run my target laptimes.

w/o the imeadiate feedback of a lap timer, i feel like I am wasting time and resources in how i am utilizing my tracktime; with the laptimer, i can see if that thing that i did in corner X that scared the crap out of me was faster, and i should continue on that path, or slower, and i can make a note to myself to never do that again.

we both just purchased a very cool little toy in the traqmate/chasecam set up, but it is a powerful learning tool first if utililized to its full potential.

think about it.

[Certified Lotus]

Agreed, knowing your lap times are important and I do watch my times (with a chronograph), but really wanted to look at the detail of each corner and improve/correct by being able to "see" after the fact (Chasecam alone wasn't giving me enough data).

I looked at every possible location for the Traqmate display that was "line of sight" in the Lotus and everything was a major compromise. Made the decision to take it out of line of sight so I wouldn't be temped to look at it, even for a split second, while I was driving on the track. Might not be the "best" solution, but it will be the safest.

[knucklehead]

I just became a dealer for ChaseCam and was thinking about setup similar to yours. I was thinking of using the bolts for the carpet buttons as securing points. Is that what you did as well?

You guys do know that if you hardwire the PDR unit that the ChaseCam system can automatically turn on when you turn the car on, automatically start recording when you start moving, pause when you stop and shut off when you turn the car off all without pushing any button right? So really the unit can be mounted anywhere.

cheers,
Jacob

[Certified Lotus]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

I just became a dealer for ChaseCam and was thinking about setup similar to yours. I was thinking of using the bolts for the carpet buttons as securing points. Is that what you did as well?

You guys do know that if you hardwire the PDR unit that the ChaseCam system can automatically turn on when you turn the car on, automatically start recording when you start moving, pause when you stop and shut off when you turn the car off all without pushing any button right? So really the unit can be mounted anywhere.

cheers,
Jacob

I didn't use the carpet bolt holes, but it's a good idea (although the holes are far apart). Drilled into the sides of the aluminum extrusion in front of the seat.

My Chase Cam is hardwired and I am aware that it can be set up to start/stop automatically. Used it that way for a while, but changed back to a remote button as I wanted to get video while waiting on the grid, not just on the track (for editing purposes).

Knowing that I was going to get a Traqmate and that it should be mounted as close to the center on the car as possible as well as facing forward as level as possible (although you can change the setup via software) and that the connection cable from the Traqmate to the Chasecam was not very long.....pretty much dicated location for both devices.

I am also using a Sony HXR-MC1 digital HD video camera for recording in high defination and 16X9 widescreen as the resolution from the Chase Cam is poor. I know Randy is working on an HD version. Waiting for it to come out.

[Alphonse]

I wrote to them a couple of days ago asking about a set up for the 2-11. supposed to have one in the works.

A little off topic here, but where did you get the holes in the seats for the anti-submarine straps? Have an Elise that could benefit from that.

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by Certified Lotus

Knowing that I was going to get a Traqmate and that it should be mounted as close to the center on the car as possible as well as facing forward as level as possible (although you can change the setup via software) and that the connection cable from the Traqmate to the Chasecam was not very long.....pretty much dicated location for both devices.

there are connections available to extend the distance that the chasecam can be connected while using the traqsynch or traqsynch2 connectors. they are standard connectors and are not expensive.

[Certified Lotus]

Originally Posted by Alphonse

I wrote to them a couple of days ago asking about a set up for the 2-11. supposed to have one in the works.

A little off topic here, but where did you get the holes in the seats for the anti-submarine straps? Have an Elise that could benefit from that.

Had the seats modifed by a local shop that does custom car work. We measured for proper location (which is somewhat dictated by the design of the seat) cut a rectangular hole and had new leather sewn in. Looks like it was made that way and has held up very well.

[SPORTS&SPECIALIST]

It was a pleasure doing the installation for "Certified Lotus". We'd love to help anyone else who wants to do the same thing. We also do Corner Balance and Ride Height adjustments, install Sector 111 goodies, etc.

We're looking forward to seeing more track cars from the forum!

Sports and Specialist Cars

[Lotus-Position]

Originally Posted by Certified Lotus

A couple of months ago I asked for ideas on where to install a traqmate in a Lotus. Didn't get a specific response from anyone on the forum.......so I went thru my own thinking process and here are the results. I had installed the Chase Cam last year in front of the drivers seat and was very happy with the location from an operating standpoint. The Traqmate solution was based on the fact that the display controls all the functions and if you have a Chase Cam and want to integrate the Traqmate, the location needs to be close to connect. The GPS antenna location was based on maximum view of satellites while on the track, no blinds spots.
Installation done by Sports & Specialists Cars in Hopewell, NJ.

Hey CL: Looks great! Since I plan to mount the TM controller within reach, I was thinking I would mount my Chasecam/TM "CPUs" on the floor of passenger side next to the center brace. Would love to know where/how your installer tapped for power and RPM... can you provide a pic of each? Were they able to spade-connect for power under the dash? RPM off the coil?

[Certified Lotus]

Originally Posted by Lotus-Position

Hey CL: Looks great! Since I plan to mount the TM controller within reach, I was thinking I would mount my Chasecam/TM "CPUs" on the floor of passenger side next to the center brace. Would love to know where/how your installer tapped for power and RPM... can you provide a pic of each? Were they able to spade-connect for power under the dash? RPM off the coil?

Power comes from 12V power outlet between seats and the RMP is off the coil. I bought a panavise stay-put flex mount (12 inch rise) to mount on floor (passenger side) for the TM controller and then decided I didn't like the location of the possible install (although I might change my mind). Where I put it is clean, only problem (as mentioned before) is that the display is not visible while driving on the track. I can reach the controller with 5 point harness (just barely) to start and stop.

[Lotus-Position]

Here is the setup I ended up with. Haven't used it on track yet, but I expect it will work great. I especially like where the Chasecam PDR100 ended up... it will be easy to operate the menu system and insert/remove flash cards from that position. Everything is velcro.

Not shown is the Traqmate control unit. I plan to velcro that to the driver-side visor, routing the wire across the ceiling (using gaffers tape) and down to the traqmate control unit.

Not sure where the GPS antennae goes yet. On my SRF, it sat on the frame under the front clip (also fiberglass) and worked fine, so I plan to try keeping it inside the cabin somewhere.

The MSD seems to work great in the position shown in the photo. I routed it via the shifter cables "center tunnel" (the blue wire next to the white power connector).

Tapped the aux power output (white connector) to power the MSD, Traqmate, and Chasecam. Just got to remember to shut everything off via the control unit so I don't burn up the battery since the aux power is not switched. .

[Chili Red]

Lotus-Position your traqmate is facing the wrong direction.. I assume your just flipping the Axis for the g-forces?

[Lotus-Position]

Originally Posted by Chili Red

Lotus-Position your traqmate is facing the wrong direction.. I assume your just flipping the Axis for the g-forces?

Correct... I verified with Glenn at Traqmate that the accelerometers are just as sensitive in this direction. As you indicate, I'll flip it in the software. You just have to make sure you position it at some multiple of 90 degrees. Not sure if this will cause issues with exported data though... guess I'll find out. It's all velcro, so easy to re-orient if need be.

[apk919]

ChaseCam recorder is visible under the display unit...