Car Decoder issues

Hey Guys,
Today I found a dud chip. It worked but stuttered around the track and very inconsistant. It must have a dud oscillsator or radio chip. If you get one like this simply return for an exchange.

Also do yourself a favour, install new braid when installing Scorpius car decoder. A good chip needs good clean continuous power and aint no better time than when you install a car chip. I run my braid around 16 mm long when brand new, depending on the type of guide of course.

Use copper braid, soft stuff for non magnet and medium for magnet. Use JP Slot, NSR, Ninco, Slot.it or any decent brand of braid. Do not use stiff braid. If using nickel coated copper stick to the good stuff like Ninco or SCX Pro, do not use Hornby nickel plated standard braid, as supplied in the snap on braid sets, Scorpius tends not to like it, and they are way too short anyway.

If using SSD snap on guides with braid, learn how to rebraid these using after market gear, much better.

Rick

PS DDA Ill get that pic, one day

Yes hotglue is fine. Its quick, and its not permanent. I use it continuously. Make sure the chassis is held flat during the process otherwiuse its possible to warp it. The hotglue should easily peel off the chassis and car chip. Not all hot glues are equal Ive noticed so practice on an old car chassis and old car decoder or similar before going ahead. I once bought a brand and it was sort of hard to get off.

Tip: To get the glue at its coolest, start from cold and as soon as the glue is able to be pumped yiu know it doesnt get any cooler. The only reason I say that is some guns get too hot, and then the glue can actually burn you, warp a chassis or take too long to cool.

By the way I found another dud car decoder so I know they're going to be out there in the wild. Recommend attaching motor and braid wires only, test the car chip, if all ok proceed to fit the phototransistor. Return any duds for in house testing here and swap over.

Whats really important is the position of the antenna. It should be heading away from the board and at 90 degrees. If this cant be done due to positioning of car decoder try another right angle. The antenna should not contact magnets or motor cans.
Over time Ive been sloppy in positioning the antenna and the car will simply not work properly.

Note again also the antenna length should be exactly 28mm. For some reason some of the decoders have 34mm length.

Rick

Hi Guys,
Ok latest on car decoder. Good news on ferrites and capacitors are NOT mandatory. But Im going to be asking Scorpius users to post their findings, as there are so many variations out there.

The EARTH LEAD from motor can to car decoder IS mandatory. This has been added to the spec and will be standard on on future production runs.

Remember it should still be included to stop the motor interferring with neighbours radio and television reception if nothing else.

Ferrite man on the braid wires are definetely not required.

This should make life just that little bit more pleasant

BASICS

Apart from the basics, you know, clean rails and power, nice braids etc. theres really only 3 things to remember for Scorpius at this stage, take shortcuts here and it simply wont work.
Here they are:

a)Antenna must be clear of car decoder, offset decoder to one side of chassis to let antenna extend at 90 degrees to pcb as much as room permits.

b)Discard dongle casing, use heatshrink to protect dongle. Or I can send some out in the mail FOC, just email me.

c)Ensure dongle is in such a position that no humans come between start finish line and dongle. This will mean hanging dongle off ceiling in most cases. Distance is not an issue actually, only positioning.

The only cost here is the USB extension cable. Recommend you buy the 5m one straight up to give you more options. The dongle will run on USB extension cables up to and including 5m, but NEVER over 5m (15ft). Think ahead, where will people be crowding around on race night?

Of course if using a laptop to reconfigure installed Lane Brains of course the extension cable would be best removed

Rick

I have everything in stock, albeit limited numbers

Im glad
Just letting everyone know 95% of problems can be solved by readinf the manuals and threads

So far only 3 confirmed issues of hardware breakdowns, a couple of car chips, and 1 LB, which is way above my expectations.

Oh and the dongle re-tune up required.

However you will need to upgrade that car decoder.

Rick

Grat stuff, thanks for the feedback

You dont need a pic, just look at the 997 chassis you can see easily what I mean
Sorry Im not into trucks. Im into racing.
Hot motors for digital are too fast to change lanes anyway, but Ive tested 30K Sharks no problems.
Sorry digital chips whatever brand wont suit whatever car you buy.
Try hitting any brand LC at completely flat out speed and it will deslot regardless. Especially your Ninco track where 18K Scaley or 20K Sharkds etc motors are best suited.

Rick