Being new to the whole slot car thing, I was wondering what a digital track actually is. I'm guessing it's something like the digital controls people use for model railway etc. My current experience with slot cars is my analogue Aurora AFX HO set from when I was a bit younger (guess I'm only 17 now really), so start from the start.
thamattster
Hi!
Here is firstly a picture of traditional analogue slotcar control. Each lane and car is controlled by a controller. Controller adjusts how much current is provided to the car. Each car has its own lane.
![Image]()
And here is digital - very much simplified. The controllers are connected to a microcontroller which converts analogue control into digital values. Digital means that you have just two voltage levels a "0" and a "1". Microcontroller (Scalextric Sport Digital Powerbase at the picture) combines digitized values from each controllers into datastream which is sent to the track. The track itself is usually the same as with analogue. Only SCX has manufactured a digital-specific track. All the cars are on the same track. Each car has a decoder chip, a small microcontroller. The decoder listens the datastream and picks all the messages that are assigned to it. Messages and cars have specific numbers. Power for the motor is taken from the datasignal. If you are familiar with railroad DCC system, the principle is the same here.
![Image]()
Cheers!
Julius
![Image]()
Here is firstly a picture of traditional analogue slotcar control. Each lane and car is controlled by a controller. Controller adjusts how much current is provided to the car. Each car has its own lane.
And here is digital - very much simplified. The controllers are connected to a microcontroller which converts analogue control into digital values. Digital means that you have just two voltage levels a "0" and a "1". Microcontroller (Scalextric Sport Digital Powerbase at the picture) combines digitized values from each controllers into datastream which is sent to the track. The track itself is usually the same as with analogue. Only SCX has manufactured a digital-specific track. All the cars are on the same track. Each car has a decoder chip, a small microcontroller. The decoder listens the datastream and picks all the messages that are assigned to it. Messages and cars have specific numbers. Power for the motor is taken from the datasignal. If you are familiar with railroad DCC system, the principle is the same here.
Cheers!
Julius
Excellent reply JW
Here's a simple version anyway;
With digital, you can:
- Have up to 6 cars on only Two Lanes
- Switch lanes at the press of a button
Here's a simple version anyway;
With digital, you can:
- Have up to 6 cars on only Two Lanes
- Switch lanes at the press of a button
I don't think I've seen or heard of a simpler and clearer discription of digital racing. Well done.
![Image]()
Cheers,
Bacardibeast
Cheers,
Bacardibeast
Brilliant lordjw - this post should either be pinned or added to the 'Really usful technical links' page.
I'd like a bit of help too.
I'd always thought of digital as only suitable for racing three or more but, after thinking about it a bit more (I still haven't tried it so I might be wrong), a basic digital layout would have a crossover and a lane change, making for an effective lane length twice that of an analogue version of the same layout.
So, you're effectively racing nose-to-tail on a single-lane track, making the tactics and the fun just as much for two as it would for six.
Can anyone comment? I have a bet on with Wankel so need to whip up some enthusiasm.
![Image]()
I'd always thought of digital as only suitable for racing three or more but, after thinking about it a bit more (I still haven't tried it so I might be wrong), a basic digital layout would have a crossover and a lane change, making for an effective lane length twice that of an analogue version of the same layout.
So, you're effectively racing nose-to-tail on a single-lane track, making the tactics and the fun just as much for two as it would for six.
Can anyone comment? I have a bet on with Wankel so need to whip up some enthusiasm.
Thanks Rich.
![Image]()
I was sure it had been covered before, should have looked at your post history first (but, then, a quick numpty post is quicker than a long search
![Image]()
)
So, next pay might just be Digital Day now that I know two-up digital has fun potential...and who knows from there...
![Image]()
Also, I need some practice before I (and whatever fellow travellers I can muster) head off to Finley for the Shearers V Shineybums Digital Challenge.
My ex-Wankel 25 quid is looking pretty good too...
Oh, by the way, I still haven't tried it (digital slot racing, that is...).
I was sure it had been covered before, should have looked at your post history first (but, then, a quick numpty post is quicker than a long search
So, next pay might just be Digital Day now that I know two-up digital has fun potential...and who knows from there...
Also, I need some practice before I (and whatever fellow travellers I can muster) head off to Finley for the Shearers V Shineybums Digital Challenge.
My ex-Wankel 25 quid is looking pretty good too...
Oh, by the way, I still haven't tried it (digital slot racing, that is...).
Hi all,
new to the forum, what a wealth of info it is
for some reason i cant post reply on hot topics or start own thread, anyway
I'm trying to find a aux 2 pc cable in Australia, have downloaded slot-GP program and want to use with laptop. Any info would be great. Thanks
KDonza to type in upercase is to Shout!
![Image]()
new to the forum, what a wealth of info it is
for some reason i cant post reply on hot topics or start own thread, anyway
I'm trying to find a aux 2 pc cable in Australia, have downloaded slot-GP program and want to use with laptop. Any info would be great. Thanks
KDonza to type in upercase is to Shout!
I'm considering upgrading to digital but have a few questions before i do
1. is their a limit to the number of changeover that can be on a track
2. can someone driving behind another car get the person in front out of the way by pressing the lane change button
3. i seen a lot of posts about the digital lap counter losing a car and not counting it's laps is this a common problem
1. is their a limit to the number of changeover that can be on a track
2. can someone driving behind another car get the person in front out of the way by pressing the lane change button
3. i seen a lot of posts about the digital lap counter losing a car and not counting it's laps is this a common problem
With the Scalextric system a person wanting to make a lane change pushes and holds down a button on their controller. When their car gets to the lane change section the computer senses which car is which and activates a flipper in the track to divert only that car. Leading or following cars in the same lane would not be affected. If you forget to hold down the button until the change is completed the car will just stay in the original lane.
Hi Bigfoot,
1 YES! The size of your wallet,
![Image]()
![Image]()
Technically probably not, though they do use power so would be better if they are powered separately. And space remember each one is 1.5 track sections long! put three and two pit lanes in and your talking one H3ll of a long straight!
![Image]()
2, No the button only works with Your car!
3, was but now we seem to understand it, there are a few little mods very easy to do that solve it "If" it happens to you!
Hope this helps
![Image]()
1 YES! The size of your wallet,
2, No the button only works with Your car!
3, was but now we seem to understand it, there are a few little mods very easy to do that solve it "If" it happens to you!
Hope this helps
Can I run digital handsets on an analogue track as my controllers are goosed.
Price wise they're about the same on the dreaded e-bay
The digital controllers look a lot better and as though they can take more stick i.e 5 yr old throwing it about.
Cheers.
Brodster
![Image]()
Price wise they're about the same on the dreaded e-bay
The digital controllers look a lot better and as though they can take more stick i.e 5 yr old throwing it about.
Cheers.
Brodster
Hi,
The digital systems out there made by ninco, scalextric, scx and carrera are not
interchangeable.
You can put a digital chip for example made by scalextric into almost any slot
car... as long as there is space for it. I think the same aplies to ninco and carrera
not so sure about scx maybe others can clarify better.
Ian
The digital systems out there made by ninco, scalextric, scx and carrera are not
interchangeable.
You can put a digital chip for example made by scalextric into almost any slot
car... as long as there is space for it. I think the same aplies to ninco and carrera
not so sure about scx maybe others can clarify better.
Ian
I am also new to the Forum and would like to buy a Digital 1/32 Track.
I grew up with 1/64 AFX / Aurora tracks.
My questions are as follows:
1. Which track is the better track as far as compatability to other tracks?
I have been looking at Carrera tracks. Maybe Scalextric.
2. Can any manufacture's slot car be run on any track?
3. Can any brand Digital Board fit into any manufactures car?
Example, Scalextric boards in Carrerra Cars or the other way around.
4. Will Analog cars run on Digital tracks?
5. Also, If I buy Carrera Digital cars, Will they run on Scalextric track. Or any manufacture's car on another manufacture's track.
These are just a few questions before I buy a track.
I was looking at Scalextric's "American Champions" set and want to convert the track and cars to Digital.
Will this work?
I also was want to purchase a couple of Carrera cars.
I know these questions have probably surfaced before but it is easier to post than to search.
Thanks for looking and/or reponding. Your time and advise is greatly appreciated.
I grew up with 1/64 AFX / Aurora tracks.
My questions are as follows:
1. Which track is the better track as far as compatability to other tracks?
I have been looking at Carrera tracks. Maybe Scalextric.
2. Can any manufacture's slot car be run on any track?
3. Can any brand Digital Board fit into any manufactures car?
Example, Scalextric boards in Carrerra Cars or the other way around.
4. Will Analog cars run on Digital tracks?
5. Also, If I buy Carrera Digital cars, Will they run on Scalextric track. Or any manufacture's car on another manufacture's track.
These are just a few questions before I buy a track.
I was looking at Scalextric's "American Champions" set and want to convert the track and cars to Digital.
Will this work?
I also was want to purchase a couple of Carrera cars.
I know these questions have probably surfaced before but it is easier to post than to search.
Thanks for looking and/or reponding. Your time and advise is greatly appreciated.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>1. Which track is the better track as far as compatability to other tracks?
None of the digital tracks are directly compatible with each other, but some can be adapted, and most have an analog counterpart that will work with it. For example:
Scalextric Sport (analog) track and Scalextric Sport Digital are 100% compatible.
Scalextric Classic can be connected to Sport (and Sport Digital) using an adapter track.
Ninco Analog and digital track are the same in the same way.
Carrera Analog and digital track are also the same in the same way.
SCX Analog and SCX Digital Track are NOT COMPATIBLE AT ALL with each other.
For the most part, you can't connect different manufacturers together with a couple exceptions. SCX analog and Scalextric Classic are pretty much the same, so a Classic-Sport adapter is all you need. I believe there are also Ninco-Scalextric Classic adapters available.
I don't think Carrera can be adapted to other makers, but I could be wrong.
Compatability with other makers is something to consider, but not as important as overall quality and surface type. If you've never played with any of them, it would be a good idea to check them out at a local hobby store and see which you like best.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>2. Can any manufacture's slot car be run on any track?
Only with analog. With digital, all the makers did it differently, and so they are NOT compatible with each other.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>3. Can any brand Digital Board fit into any manufactures car?
Example, Scalextric boards in Carrerra Cars or the other way around.
To a certain extent, yes. Some are more challenging to install than others, such as the SCX Digital chip, which includes a complicated system for the guide blade. The others, more or less, only need you to find room for the electronic board itself, and maybe a sensor or LED.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>4. Will Analog cars run on Digital tracks?
No. Some people mod their tracks to have an analog ability, but I don't think any maker yet has a system with an analog mode. If you put an analog car on a digital track, depending on the track, it can do anything from make a funny noise to shoot off at full speed. The unreleased Scalextric 6 car Powerbase is said to have an analog mode, and an upgraded 6 car PB to PB-Pro also has an analog mode. I don't know if any other makers have this feature, but I don't think so.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>5. Also, If I buy Carrera Digital cars, Will they run on Scalextric track. Or any manufacture's car on another manufacture's track.
No. Not digital, anyway. They're all done differently, and therefore will not work on each other's tracks. Like with an analog car, it might just sit there, or it might shoot off. It's also possible that the chip could be damaged, but I have not heard about this happening yet.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I was looking at Scalextric's "American Champions" set and want to convert the track and cars to Digital.
Will this work? I also was want to purchase a couple of Carrera cars.
Sure. You can do that with a digital upgrade kit, or just get a digital kit and combine the track. All Scalextric sets sold any more use Sport track, which is directly compatible with Scalextric Digital track. Then you just need to chip the cars. Depending on the cars, that can be a simple drop-in chip called the DPR chip, or you might need to solder a couple wires using the retrofit chip.
Chipping Carrera cars is usually pretty easy. I've got 4 chipped Carrera cars on my track now. Just make sure you get an analog car, and not a digital one, as you'll be wasting money on a chip you'll just have to remove to replace with the Scalextric Digital chip.
Hope that helps!
-Greg
None of the digital tracks are directly compatible with each other, but some can be adapted, and most have an analog counterpart that will work with it. For example:
Scalextric Sport (analog) track and Scalextric Sport Digital are 100% compatible.
Scalextric Classic can be connected to Sport (and Sport Digital) using an adapter track.
Ninco Analog and digital track are the same in the same way.
Carrera Analog and digital track are also the same in the same way.
SCX Analog and SCX Digital Track are NOT COMPATIBLE AT ALL with each other.
For the most part, you can't connect different manufacturers together with a couple exceptions. SCX analog and Scalextric Classic are pretty much the same, so a Classic-Sport adapter is all you need. I believe there are also Ninco-Scalextric Classic adapters available.
I don't think Carrera can be adapted to other makers, but I could be wrong.
Compatability with other makers is something to consider, but not as important as overall quality and surface type. If you've never played with any of them, it would be a good idea to check them out at a local hobby store and see which you like best.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>2. Can any manufacture's slot car be run on any track?
Only with analog. With digital, all the makers did it differently, and so they are NOT compatible with each other.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>3. Can any brand Digital Board fit into any manufactures car?
Example, Scalextric boards in Carrerra Cars or the other way around.
To a certain extent, yes. Some are more challenging to install than others, such as the SCX Digital chip, which includes a complicated system for the guide blade. The others, more or less, only need you to find room for the electronic board itself, and maybe a sensor or LED.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>4. Will Analog cars run on Digital tracks?
No. Some people mod their tracks to have an analog ability, but I don't think any maker yet has a system with an analog mode. If you put an analog car on a digital track, depending on the track, it can do anything from make a funny noise to shoot off at full speed. The unreleased Scalextric 6 car Powerbase is said to have an analog mode, and an upgraded 6 car PB to PB-Pro also has an analog mode. I don't know if any other makers have this feature, but I don't think so.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>5. Also, If I buy Carrera Digital cars, Will they run on Scalextric track. Or any manufacture's car on another manufacture's track.
No. Not digital, anyway. They're all done differently, and therefore will not work on each other's tracks. Like with an analog car, it might just sit there, or it might shoot off. It's also possible that the chip could be damaged, but I have not heard about this happening yet.
QUOTE (1wvslot @ 6 Nov 2009, 08:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I was looking at Scalextric's "American Champions" set and want to convert the track and cars to Digital.
Will this work? I also was want to purchase a couple of Carrera cars.
Sure. You can do that with a digital upgrade kit, or just get a digital kit and combine the track. All Scalextric sets sold any more use Sport track, which is directly compatible with Scalextric Digital track. Then you just need to chip the cars. Depending on the cars, that can be a simple drop-in chip called the DPR chip, or you might need to solder a couple wires using the retrofit chip.
Chipping Carrera cars is usually pretty easy. I've got 4 chipped Carrera cars on my track now. Just make sure you get an analog car, and not a digital one, as you'll be wasting money on a chip you'll just have to remove to replace with the Scalextric Digital chip.
Hope that helps!
-Greg
Wow, Thanks Greg. That was very informative and helpful in me making a choice to purchase a set.
One other question, just to so I am clear before I make the move to purchase.
If I buy an Analog track from Scalextic and convert the track and cars to digital, then purchase an Analog car from Carrera and retrofit it with a DPR from Scalextric, it should work ?? As long as I don't buy a Digital Car from Carrera, because I will have to remove the Carrera Chip from the car and replace with a Scalextric Chip. A waste of money.
Thanks again Greg. You were very helpful.
One other question, just to so I am clear before I make the move to purchase.
If I buy an Analog track from Scalextic and convert the track and cars to digital, then purchase an Analog car from Carrera and retrofit it with a DPR from Scalextric, it should work ?? As long as I don't buy a Digital Car from Carrera, because I will have to remove the Carrera Chip from the car and replace with a Scalextric Chip. A waste of money.
Thanks again Greg. You were very helpful.
You are correct. As long as the "chip" (in-car electronics) are for the digital track you are using, it doesn't matter what car you put it in.
The only thing to be careful of is powerful motors. If you upgrade a car with a fast motor, or it comes with a fast motor, such as a Slot.it car, you'll want to use the Slot.it chip, which is more robust. Slot.it chips are SSD compatible. In fact, it's easier to think of them as SSD chips, only they're made by Slot.it rather than Scalextric, and are robust enough for high power motors.
Anyway, yeah, whatever car you chip, if you're using Scalextric Digital track/controls, install a SSD chip in it.
The only thing to be careful of is powerful motors. If you upgrade a car with a fast motor, or it comes with a fast motor, such as a Slot.it car, you'll want to use the Slot.it chip, which is more robust. Slot.it chips are SSD compatible. In fact, it's easier to think of them as SSD chips, only they're made by Slot.it rather than Scalextric, and are robust enough for high power motors.
Anyway, yeah, whatever car you chip, if you're using Scalextric Digital track/controls, install a SSD chip in it.
Well, the idiot needs to know how to solder a wire to something, but otherwise yes. Check the SSD Chipping Database in the SSD forum. It's pinned at the top of the first page so you can't miss it. Check the index to easily find a car you have, or just browse the thread itself to see what people have done.
QUOTE (Tucomanco @ 28 Nov 2009, 01:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Ok as im a newbie noob i may as well join in:
Mr Flippant you said it was easy to chip a carrera car with an ssd chip: are there any instructions anywhere to do this? I mean idiot proof instructions lol
thx
![Image]()
If you buy a new ssd salon or F1 chip it comes with instructions.
(Not the dpr chips)
They are not to difficult to do. Once you have done 1 the rest
will be easier.
The only 2 problems that usually arise is where to put the chip
and drilling a 3mm hole in the chassis.
You can get some one to help by holding the wires that need soldering.
As I say once you have done 1 then it does get easier.
Take your time and do it right.
Ian
Mr Flippant you said it was easy to chip a carrera car with an ssd chip: are there any instructions anywhere to do this? I mean idiot proof instructions lol
thx
If you buy a new ssd salon or F1 chip it comes with instructions.
(Not the dpr chips)
They are not to difficult to do. Once you have done 1 the rest
will be easier.
The only 2 problems that usually arise is where to put the chip
and drilling a 3mm hole in the chassis.
You can get some one to help by holding the wires that need soldering.
As I say once you have done 1 then it does get easier.
Take your time and do it right.
Ian
Hi all,
I was wondering how lane changers work. Is there a solenoid or something under the track? Do they (LC) need to be powered separately?...or the main power source activates it through the track?
![Image]()
+EDIT
How the LCs detect the approaching cars? is there a kind of sensor in it?
maybe stupid questions...but I'm a complete newbie to digital. I'm thinking I could go digital on my next project so...clarifications welcomed.
![Image]()
cheers
Leo
I was wondering how lane changers work. Is there a solenoid or something under the track? Do they (LC) need to be powered separately?...or the main power source activates it through the track?
+EDIT
How the LCs detect the approaching cars? is there a kind of sensor in it?
maybe stupid questions...but I'm a complete newbie to digital. I'm thinking I could go digital on my next project so...clarifications welcomed.
cheers
Leo
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