[darainbow]

I was just thinking it would be possible to use carrera track with scalectric digital.

All you would need to do is convert the carrera LC to use scalectric underpinings. This would likely require removing the scaly mechanism (solenoid? sensor?) and fitting under the carrera straight LC.

People are talking about using SSD with routed tracks, it should be a similar affair to adapt to work with carrera LC.

The rest of the wiring would be trivial.

Hmm. . .

 

[darainbow]

Did a little more research on this. The carrera LC is a single solenoid w/ mechanical return. The scaly LC is a double solenoid.

The solenoid(s) pushes the lever one direction or both and both brands look to use about the same size.

Also, it "looks" like the sensor is about the same distance from the flipper (4-5") in both cases so a hole could be drilled in the middle of the carrera straight in roughly the same location as the carrera sensor is located now.

Im 98% confident the scaly solenoids and sensor can be fitted to the carrera LC. This based on pictures from SCI and proxudo.de. Certainly it will take some cutting an gluing, but the solenoids push directly on the flipper in a similar manner. I dont think any fabrication will be required.

My only concern at this point is adapting the scaly lap counter to carrera track. The lap counter sensors are attached directly to the face of a small PCB that spans between both lanes. Because carrera track is wider (+++), one of the tiny sensors would need to be removed from the PCB and mounted about an inch farther out.

See pic on SCI: (Sensor is component next to the "+")
Lapcounter Sensor

Does anyone have experience working with small components like this? Could it be safely removed with a soldering pen? (My soldering experience is limited to electric guitars)

I think the conversion could be a slam dunk. Better than waiting around for carrera to implement braking. (Or for that matter, waiting for Hornby to release a working straight LC)

Thanks.

Edit: I guess another alternative would be to mount the scaly PCB directly under the carrera "squeeze" track. Ugly.

 

[SWoRd]

QUOTE (darainbow @ 28 Nov 2004, 19:18)Does anyone have experience working with small components like this? Could it be safely removed with a soldering pen?Some SMD components are quite sensitive to mechanical stress. The problem is to heat both ends at the same time ... you can switch from side to side repeatedly very quickly, but it's much easier with two soldering pens

QUOTE (My soldering experience is limited to electric guitars)That'll do just nicely ... I've done my fair share of soldering in my old LesPaul

Søren

 

[darainbow]

QUOTE (SWoRd @ 29 Nov 2004, 21:01)QUOTE (darainbow @ 28 Nov 2004, 19:18)Does anyone have experience working with small components like this? Could it be safely removed with a soldering pen?Some SMD components are quite sensitive to mechanical stress. The problem is to heat both ends at the same time ... you can switch from side to side repeatedly very quickly, but it's much easier with two soldering pens

QUOTE (My soldering experience is limited to electric guitars)That'll do just nicely ... I've done my fair share of soldering in my old LesPaul

Søren
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>


Thanks for the advice! I think for my first pass, rather than risking the component, I will use the jigsaw to cut a thin wedge out of the middle of carrera straight, thinning it to scalextric width.

 

[astro]

fantastic project darainbow! I hope you are remembering to take 'step-by-step' photos

 

[darainbow]

QUOTE (astro @ 29 Nov 2004, 22:34)fantastic project darainbow! I hope you are remembering to take 'step-by-step' photos

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

While I'm a big fan of Carrera track, I have concerns about their abilty to deliver a viable digital system. Granted, they are distributed (owned) by LBG, a large manufacturer of trains who have some experience in digital, their recent offering leaves something to be desired (lacks brakes, lacks timing computer, dubious methods of lap counting, unknown retail price of retrofit chip). I'm not going to wait around for them to play catch up. Besides, Scalextric has shown an abilty and interest with computer integration and have already delivered some successful products in this arena.

The realization that the solenoid can be removed from the LC and fitted to a competitor's track may explain just how one manufacturer may come to "standardize" digital. People will no longer be locked into the digital system based on the track they are running. It will be (as it should be) an affair of choosing your favorite of each. Favorite track, favorite digital system, favorite cars; and being able use them all together.

Favorite Track: Carrera
Favorite Digital System: Scalectric(?)
Favorite Cars: FLY (converted to run digital)

Hopefully there will be further abilty to mix-n-match components. (Controllers, power supply, etc)

All hornby needs to do now to corner the digital market is sell their LC innards to be used with Carrera, routed tracks, or other brands.

While I own the Pro-X system, I see the writing on the wall. Unless carrera can provide lapcounting without the stupid guide blade, provide dynamic braking, and offer conversion chips at a reasonable price, carrera digital is done for. (Aside: I suspect carrera conversion chips will be significantly less expensive than hornby brand) And if by some miracle Pro-X thrives, I've already got the equipment I need.

 

[joergresch]

Hi,
The problem of integrating Scalex Digital and Carrera track is that you have to overcome 2 very different approaches: Carrera is using "dump" track, Scalextric is using a decoder for each LC. This is very differnet
- Carrera LC has a default position and is always mechanically thrown back when a lane changing car passes
- Scalex LC does not have a default position (it does not switch back unless it receives a command asking for a new position)
- Carrera LC reacts on LED light
- Scalex as well, but in addition it recognises which car is passing (needed for sport world)

We have just finished our wooden pitstop area for scalextric (4 pieces 1.05 x 0.5m each). We use one original LC decoder board to control 2 switches. One leads into pitlane, the other one is an LC between the 2 main slots. By the end of next week, we will have our LC straight 1.05m 2-way (X) ready for testing. I´ll let you know.

 

[darainbow]

Thats a great project.

You need to disable the mechanical return of the Carrera LC for my method to work. It would then no longer have a default position. All the sensors and electrnoics would be scalectric.

Do you still see a limitation that I am unaware of?