TC100

Operation & Installation Guide

Revision 1.1
© 2006—2007 Monit Limited.
Product of New Zealand.
 Introduction

Thank you for your purchase of this rally

computer product. At monit, we take pride
in everything we make, and the TC100 is
no exception. Every detail of the product
has been designed and manufactured using
the latest engineering technology—and the
greatest care.

We sincerely hope you will enjoy the use of

your new rally computer, and that you will
continue to choose monit products as your
motorsport career progresses!

Regards, the monit team.

I
Contents

A Installation

B Getting Started

C Advanced Features

II
 Installation
Simple instructions for fitting and wiring the
TC100 into your vehicle.

A-1
Installation

Before You Start Fitting to the Vehicle

Installation of the TC100 requires a moder- The small size and weight of the TC100
ate level of mechanical ability and a basic make it easy to mount almost anywhere
understanding of electrical systems. If you inside your vehicle. Wherever you put it,
do not have experience in these areas, we ensure that your co-driver can comfortably
recommend that you employ the services of reach all the buttons while seated, and that
a qualified automotive technician. the unit cannot come free of its mountings in
the event of an accident. If your vehicle has
If you do decide to install the unit yourself, airbags fitted, it is very important that the
please ensure that you read all the instruc- device is not placed over the covers from
tions carefully before starting. which they are deployed. Doing so could
result in serious injury.

Monit Limited accepts no liabil- To simplify attachment to your vehicle, the

ity for any damage to property device has two metal bosses molded into
or persons, whether direct or the back part of the case. These accept
consequential, as a result of standard M4 bolts. When mounting, also
Warning the incorrect installation of the remember to leave space behind the unit for
product. its electrical connector.

A-2
 Installation

Mounting
Boss Positions
(not to scale)
��

��������������

A-3
Installation

Electrical Connections Colour Description

All electrical connections to the device are
made through a single connector located Red Battery +12V
on the back of the unit. Included with your Black Battery Ground
TC100 is a pre-wired loom that attaches to
this connector, and provides colour coded White Auxiliary A Input
wires for each signal. The functions associ-
Brown Auxiliary B Input
ated with each of the wires on this loom are
shown in the table on the right. Orange Sensor +5V Supply

In its most basic configuration, the unit re- Blue Speed Signal Input
quire only three wires to be attached: the Yellow Sensor Ground
two connections to the battery, and a vehicle
speed signal. More complex setups might
also use one or more of the auxiliary inputs, When connecting the unit up, ensure that
or the regulated 5V power supply for active any unused wires on the loom cannot short
type speed sensors. Whether these are re- against each other or the vehicle’s chassis.
quired or not will depend on your vehicle
type and setup preferences.

A-4
 Installation

Power Supply ��
���
The device should be connected to the vehi-
cle’s battery through a 2A fuse as shown on
�����
the right. Make sure it is attached to a point
in the system where power is always avail-
able, even when the ignition is turned off. An
external power switch is not required.

Auxiliary Inputs �����

The unit includes two auxiliary inputs that
can provide short-cuts to common tasks,
such as resetting the counters or control- �����
ling the stop-watch. If used, these should
be connected to user supplied switches as
shown on the right. For more information on �����
the setup and operation of this feature, see ����
������
page C-4. ������

A-5
Installation

Vehicle Speed Signal Tidying Up

The most important input to the rally com- Before you power the unit up for the first
puter is the vehicle’s speed signal. If your time, check that all your electrical connec-
vehicle has a factory fitted speed sensor, tions are correct and securely made. Also
chances are you will be able to connect this make sure that any exposed wires in the
directly to the unit. Otherwise, you will have circuit are covered with insulation tape or
to purchase and install an after-market sen- heat-shrink.
sor solution. For more information, contact
a monit sales representative to discuss the
options for your vehicle.

The type of speed signal accepted by the de-

vice is a digital pulse that switches between
0-5V or 0-12V and with a frequency of less
than 1kHz. Sensors that produce this type of
signal can be connected directly to the unit’s
blue wire. For sensors that require external
power, a regulated 5V power source is avail-
able from the orange coloured wire.

A-6
Getting Started
Basic setup and operating information to
get you up and running quickly.

B-1
Getting Started

Overview that surround it. Like many modern devices,

these buttons do not have dedicated func-
If you have ever used a mobile phone or
tions assigned to them. Instead, the tasks
MP3 player device, you should find the
they perform change depending on where in
TC100’s user interface quite familiar. But if
the menu system you are. The task that is
not don’t despair—the TC100 has been de-
currently assigned to a particular button is
signed with you in mind. Just take the time
shown on the screen by a text label, as can
to read through this section and discover for
be seen below. The four labels are inside the
yourself how easy to use it is.
dark bars on the right and left edges of the
screen.
Turning On & Off
The device enters a low power sleep state
after five minutes of inactivity. To start the
unit up again, press any of the buttons or
begin driving the vehicle.

User Interface Basics

Remember to always read these labels,
The device’s user interface consists of the as they are there to guide you through the
liquid crystal display and the four buttons menu system.

B-2
 Getting Started

Telemetry Screen
The first screen to appear on the display
when you power the device up is the Telem-
etry Screen. It can be seen in the image on
the right. This screen displays the vehicle’s
distance, speed and timing information and,
as you might expect, is the one you will use
the majority of the time during a rally.
Telemetry Screen (kms)
Functionally, the screen is split vertically into
two display areas. The first of these, the top The bottom half of the screen works differ-
half, always contains the Interval Distance ently. Rather than being dedicated to one
counter. This counter is typically used dur- particular function, the space can be used
ing a rally to measure the distance between to display a Total Distance counter, the vehi-
junctions, landmarks and other road-book cle’s Current Speed, Maximum Speed, or a
instructions. To reset the counter, press the stop-watch. Press the MODE button to cycle
top-right button labelled CLR. through each of these functions.

B-3
Getting Started

The first image on the left shows the Total

Distance counter. This works independently
from the Interval counter and is typically
used to measure the distance since the start
of a stage, day or event. When selected, it
can be cleared by pressing the bottom-right
CLR button for one second.

The second and third images show the

Current and Maximum Speed readouts re-
spectively. When the latter is visible, it can
be cleared by pressing the bottom-right CLR
button for one second.

The final image shows the built in stop-

watch. When visible, this can be started and
stopped by pressing the bottom-right button.
It can be reset by holding down the same
button for one second.

B-4
 Getting Started

Menu System
Using the menu system you can quickly
change settings and access the device’s
more advanced features. To exit the Telem-
etry Screen and enter the menu system,
press the MENU button.

The main menu consists of a set of six icon,

one for each of the six sub-menu catego-
ries. To cycle through these use the LEFT or
RIGHT buttons. When the desired category
is highlighted, press the OK button to bring
up the associated sub-menu. These can
then be navigated in a similar way.

To return to the Telemetry Screen at any

time, press the top-left BACK button.

B-5
Getting Started

Calibration
Once you have finished installation of the
rally computer, you will need to calibrate it to
ensure it works accurately. Fortunately this
is very easy to do. With the unit powered
up, navigate to the Calibration sub-menu
and select the item called ‘Calibrate’. This
will start a special calibration wizard that will
guide you through each step of the process
with clear on-screen instructions.

All you need to perform the calibration is a

section of road with an accurately known
distance. In some areas you may be able to
use special road markings, otherwise your
vehicle’s factory odometer may suffice. For
best results choose any distance of between
1 and 99km. When the process is complet-
ed, the unit will retain its calibration, even if
power is removed.

B-6
 Getting Started

When the wizard is started, the first screen

to appear will instruct you to drive to the start
of your known distance. Press the OK but-
ton when this has been reached. Continue
to drive until you are at the end of the known
distance, then press OK again. A data entry
screen will now appear prompting you to en-
ter the distance you have travelled.

The data entry screen (shown right) works

by allowing you to enter each of the value’s
digits individually. The digit that is currently
being modified is shown highlighted and
can be adjusted using the UP and DOWN
buttons. Once you have set it to the desired
value, press the NEXT button to move the
highlight to the adjacent digit. When all the
digits have been entered, the NEXT button
will change to say SET. Press this to con-
firm the value and complete the calibration
process.

B-7
Getting Started

Dimming the Backlight Changing the Display Resolution

The TC100 has a very bright white LED The TC100’s distance counters usually
backlight. In daytime and low light condi- show a resolution of ten metres, which is
tions this substantially improves the visibility suitable for most motorsport applications. If,
of the display. However, at night, this intense however, you desire a higher level of accu-
light may be distracting. To reduce its inten- racy (e.g. for road survey work), the display
sity hold down the MENU button in the Te- resolution can be increased to one metre. To
lemetry Screen for one second. Repeating do this, navigate to the Settings sub-menu
this will return it to full brightness. and select the ‘Resolution’ item. This will
toggle between the two available levels.
Changing the Display Units
The TC100 works in either miles or kilome- Setting the Counting Direction
tres. To change the units that are used, navi- The unit’s distance counters can be config-
gate to the Settings sub-menu and select ured to count either up or down. To change
the ‘Display Units’ item. Calibration values, the direction, navigate to the Settings sub-
stored maximum speed, and distance coun- menu and select the ‘Counting’ item. This will
ter values are automatically converted when toggle between the two available modes.
this setting is changed.

B-8
Advanced Features
Detailed information about some of the
TC100’s more powerful features.

C-1
Advanced Features

100kph (60mph) Sprint Timer

The built in sprint timer can be used to accu-
rately measure your vehicle’s 0-100kph (0-
60mph) times. It can be accessed from the
Performance sub-menu. To use the timer,
bring the vehicle to a halt and follow the on-
screen instructions to arm the system. Once
this is done, the timer will start automatically
when it detects movement, so simply begin
accelerating when ready. Upon reaching
100kph (60mph), the timer will stop and dis-
play the acquired sprint time.

C-2
 Advanced Features

Presetting a Distance
In some situations you may wish to preset
one of the distance counters to a particular
initial value. To do this, navigate to the Set
Distance sub-menu and select the name of
the counter you want to preset. The display
will then show a data entry screen that will
prompt you for a new value.

The data entry screen works by allowing

you to enter each of the new value’s digits
individually. The digit that is currently being
modified is shown highlighted and can be
adjusted using the UP and DOWN buttons.
Once you have set it to the desired value,
press the NEXT button to move the highlight
to the adjacent digit. When all the digits have
been entered, the NEXT button will change
to say SET. Press this to complete the proc-
ess and return to the Telemetry Screen.

C-3
Advanced Features

Auxiliary Inputs
Many co-drivers like to connect foot-pedals
or handheld switches to their rally computers
so they can quickly perform commonly used
functions. The TC100 allows for this through
the provision of two auxiliary inputs. These
can be connected to external switches and
configured in software to perform particular
tasks when activated. The list of available
tasks is shown on the next page.

To assign a task to one of the inputs, navi-

gate to the Settings sub-menu and select
either the ‘Auxiliary A’ or ‘Auxiliary B’ item.
This will bring up a list of the available tasks,
with the currently selected one marked by
a small arrow. To change the assignment,
move the highlight to the desired task and
press OK. Both inputs may be assigned to
the same task.

C-4
 Advanced Features

Task Switch Type Description

None None Auxiliary input not used.

Clear Interval Momentary Clear Interval Distance counter.

Clear Total Momentary Clear Total Distance counter.

Freeze Momentary Toggles freeze (also called split) mode on and off.
This feature halts updates of the Telemetry Screen,
while the counters continue to operate in the
background.

Stopwatch Momentary Starts and stops the stop-watch.

Display Mode Momentary Same effect as MODE button on Telemetry Screen.

Backlight Dim Toggle While input is held low, backlight intensity is

reduced.

Count Up/Dn Toggle While input is held low, both distance counters count
down.

C-5
Advanced Features

Manual Calibration
The device stores calibration information
as the number of pulses produced by the
speed sensor for every kilometre (or mile)
travelled. If you used the unit’s calibration
wizard (see B-6) you will not have seen the
actual value calculated for your vehicle. In
most situations this does not matter, but if
you share the device between vehicles, or
have different tyre configurations for your
vehicle, you may want to record this number
for re-use at a later time.

To view the calibration number, navigate

to the Calibration sub-menu and select the
‘Value’ item.

C-6
 Advanced Features

In this same menu you can also manually

adjust the displayed value by pressing the
EDIT button. This will bring up a data entry
screen that will prompt you to enter a new
value.

The data entry screen works by allowing

you to enter each of the new value’s digits
individually. The digit that is currently being
modified is shown highlighted and can be
adjusted using the UP and DOWN buttons.
Once you have set it to the desired value,
press the NEXT button to move the highlight
to the adjacent digit. When all the digits have
been entered, the NEXT button will change
to say SET. Press this to complete the proc-
ess.

C-7
Advanced Features

Advanced Probe Setup Adjusting the Sleep Timer

The device’s probe input circuit can be con- The period of inactivity required before the
figured to operate at two different voltage device enters the low power sleep state can
levels. To choose between these, navigate to be easily adjusted. To do this, navigate to
the Settings sub-menu and select the ‘Probe the Settings sub-menu and select the Sleep
Type’ item. This will toggle the level between Timer item. In the menu that appears, select
the 5V or 12V settings. Note: you should not the desired sleep time from the list. If you
change this setting unless instructed to by select the ‘Never’ option, take precautions
one of our probe installation guides. to ensure that your vehicle’s battery does
not run flat.
Contrast Adjustment
In vary rare situations, such as operating Serial Number Location
at extreme temperatures, you may want to Every monit rally computer has a unique se-
change the display’s contrast to improve rial number. To view this number, go to the
viewability. To do this, navigate to the Set- About sub-menu. The serial number is the
tings sub-menu and select the ‘Contrast’ nine digit number adjacent to the text ‘S/N’.
item. This will bring up another menu that
will allow you to increase or decrease the
contrast level.

C-8
Notes
Notes
Notes
Index

A D
Auxiliary Inputs Display
function list C-5 resolution B-8
installation A-5 units B-8
setup C-4 Distance
counter, interval B-3
B counter, total B-4
Backlight B-8, C-5 presetting C-3

C F
Calibration Freeze C-5
automatic B-6
display value C-6 P
manual adjustment C-7 Power Supply A-5
Contrast C-8 Probe
Counting Direction B-8, C-5 advanced setup C-8
overview A-6

I
 Index

R U
Resolution B-8 Units B-8
User Interface
S main menu B-5
Serial Number C-8 overview B-2
Sleep Timer C-8 telemetry B-3
Speed
current B-4 V
maximum B-4 Vehicle Speed Signal A-6
Split C-5
Sprint Timer C-2 W
Stop-Watch B-4, C-5 Wiring Color Codes A-4

T
Telemetry Screen B-3
Turning On & Off B-2

II
© 2006—2007 Monit Limited.
All rights reserved.