Thursday, September 06, 2012

Swimmer builds a LED readout timer for early morning swims.

A very resourceful swimmer named Doug built himself an LED readout timer since he can't read the old-school analog clock on the wall during his 6:00 AM workout. In fact he can't read read the clock for 6-months out of the year and that was indeed a problem.

So, what does he do? He builds his own timer and provides his schematics online for any other industrious swimmers; (or higher forms of life), that that can build such things. It is also water proof!

From DougDIY
I swim with a triathlete group in an outdoor pool at 6AM three days a week. For half the year I can see stars when I start swimming. What I can’t see in the dark is the analog clock to check my pace on 100 meter laps.

To solve this problem I designed and built a portable digital timer with LED display. The 4-digit 7-segment display is large enough to see from 10 feet away so I can read it without stopping. The timer is encased in a transparent and waterproof polycarbonate tube so that I don’t have to worry about it getting wet or falling in the pool.

[Link]

Doug, you engineer like a "boss" and you have made the "swimming universe" a better place. Though I am too incompetent to build something like this. Perhaps you could sell them?






2 comments:

Trev said...

I second that. If he sells them, count me in. Even at 31 I'm now starting to notice my eyesight going.

Lucy said...

Tony, check out www.iClock.ca. Steve Baird, 1992 Canadian Olympian (400 IM) has been making digital, LED, waterproof, and remote controlled clocks for swimming and water polo for afew years now. I met Steve at last year's ASCA Clinic. A great guy, with great products!