Transponders

[roberth944]

What kind of transponders can you buy to use for racing? I have been renting at the track but was wondering about buying my own? What is being used by you "veteran" Racers? Which work best, and how much will I need to spend if I do get my own? Thanks Rob H

[mcmmotorsports]

There are only two that you can buy. One is hardwired and the other is battery operated like the one you rent at the track. Both are made by AMB. I would NOT buy a used transponder. I went with a hardwired one and got it from OG Racing here in the east for $380. Battery operated ones are a snap to install and can be loaned/switched from vehicle to vehicle, but I didn't want one more thing to have to turn on/off nor remember to charge up.

[944-Spec#94]

I have a hardwired one I got when I started PCA club racing back in 2002. I installed in before my first race in April 2002 and it has worked like a charm since. Never any issues at all. I recommend the hardwired since you never need to worry about charing them or the battry getting old. It just works.

 

A used transponder will work just fine, but you won't know until you test it at the track. So if you can buy used local and be certain it works then go for it. Used over the net with a "Well it worked last year.." is gamble.

[mcmmotorsports]

A used transponder will work just fine, but you won't know until you test it at the track. So if you can buy used local and be certain it works then go for it. Used over the net with a "Well it worked last year.." is gamble.

 

Don't forget that in order to use a USED transponder with mylaps.com, you need to pay an additonal $50 to use all of its features online. Might make that "Great Deal" not so great.

[944-Spec#94]

A used transponder will work just fine, but you won't know until you test it at the track. So if you can buy used local and be certain it works then go for it. Used over the net with a "Well it worked last year.." is gamble.

 

Don't forget that in order to use a USED transponder with mylaps.com, you need to pay an additonal $50 to use all of its features online. Might make that "Great Deal" not so great.

 

 

What????? Is that to change the log in ID or somthing? Heck just make sure you get the my laps ID and password with transponder. Then put in your own password and save the $50. AMB does not know who "owns" the transponder.

[Tim Comeau]

Yes, Robert, buy the AMB 260 model and get the hard wired version. Get up under the dash and find a "12 volts key on" wire and connect it.

12 volts key on- will turn the power on to the tranx only when the engine is running, and disconnect power to it when the car is off.

It's there when you need it, and no drain on the battery when the car's off.

Then just forget about it and race!

I remember the days of charging transx's..............

 

BTW, something you can do for timing and scoring is to wear the AMB Timing decal on the side of the car. It's a red circle with a white capital T. I write the transx serial number across the top part of the T in black magic marker. That way when Merl from timing and scoring stops you at track exit and says "What's your transx #?" you can just point to the decal.......because you probably won't remember the serial number.

[FlyingDog]

A used transponder will work just fine, but you won't know until you test it at the track. So if you can buy used local and be certain it works then go for it. Used over the net with a "Well it worked last year.." is gamble.

 

Don't forget that in order to use a USED transponder with mylaps.com, you need to pay an additonal $50 to use all of its features online. Might make that "Great Deal" not so great.

 

 

What????? Is that to change the log in ID or somthing? Heck just make sure you get the my laps ID and password with transponder. Then put in your own password and save the $50. AMB does not know who "owns" the transponder.

If the current owner has multiple transponders on his account, I doubt he'll let you take over his account. I was lucky when I bought my car (with transponder installed). The transponder was registered two owners ago, and he gave me his account info. AMB will not transfer transponders anymore despite what their website says. I asked and they weren't even aware that the website still said that. They said they stopped transferring several years ago.

[mcmmotorsports]

http://www.amb-it.com/Re-registering_a_Personal_Transponder_on_MyLaps.com-i-168.html

[Karl Zimmermann]

We install transponders in our cars to stay, so they sell with the car. We were able to register and UNregister numbers from the same account a couple years ago, so selling transponders with the cars was easy. With the recent change at AMB, we now register each transponder with its number as the login. We then assign a unique password which, as Joe pointed out, we can give to the new owner. He can then go in and change the password if he likes.

 

The username you select when you first register your transponder will now stay with it for life or until AMB changes the rules again.

 

Remember that your results are not really yours, they are linked to a transponder, so if you sell it you won't be able to see past results unless you remember the username and the new owner has not changed the password.

 

DON'T buy a used transponder if you are not given the username and password. You need to login to get comparison times.

[Karl Zimmermann]

The information (link) Michael provided is to overcome the multiple transponders registered to one username scenario from the past. If the previous owner never had more than one transponder under one username, your only issue will be that you will need to login in under the previous owners username which may be "Icantdrive" instead of "Roberts944."

 

The $50 fee should remove the username linked to the transponder, but you should call AMB to make sure. I was on the phone with them last week and they were not clear on how they (in Georgia) were going to unregister a transponder. I suspect they have it figured out in Europe and it's just now migrating this direction.