[MartinF]

Has anyone successfully chipped an Arbath 500 for SSD and if so what chips will work?

I did check the chipping database but couldn't find anything.

How about fitting lights?

I really like the look of these cheeky little beasts and think they could be a good option for a one-make theme but only if they can be chipped without issues.

Thanks,

Martin

 

[MartinF]

Or perhaps a more direct question;

Is the Scalextric C7005 up to handling the motors in these?

Seems like a C7005 Retro Chip with a Sure change guide might be a good way to go if the chip is man enough for the job.

 

[Minardi]

Been enjoying it for years this way, without magnet though. Great competition for the Clio too! They use the same chassis for what I remember. Edit: sorry I was talking about the Abarth S2000, a slightly bigger car.

 

[MartinF]

Thanks for that, I think I'll give one a try.

 

[MartinF]

Hmmm, the Arbath 500 uses a Shark 20k with 164 gr/cm.

It looks like that could be marginal for the C7005.

 

[GregK]

Well, in order of cost ...... you could chance your arm or have the C7005 uprated or buy an SP15B

 

[MartinF]

Well, in order of cost ...... you could chance your arm or have the C7005 uprated or buy an SP15B

As it happens I have a C7005 and a SP15B in stock.

So I could give either, or both, options a try.

What's involved in getting the C7005 uprated?

I think I also need to track down an online supplier for LEDs and ferrite man components.

That's the problem with a new hobby; building up stocks of all the bits and bobs that more seasoned members always have to hand.

 

[GregK]

Changing the MOSFETs marked PO3 & NO2 gives you the equivalent to an SP15B.

If you want more power, ~15%, change the diodes from silicone ones to Shottkys ...... this can make the car a bit of a beast though .......

 

[MartinF]

Changing the MOSFETs marked PO3 & NO2 gives you the equivalent to an SP15B.

If you want more power, ~15%, change the diodes from silicone ones to Shottkys ...... this can make the car a bit of a beast though .......

Very cool.

I don't have the dexterity for that kind of SMD rework any more though so that's not a DIY project for me.

More power: probably a little premature, I've still got my L-Plates on.

 

[MrFlippant]

As long as you're going magless and don't go around getting the car stuck and trying to unstick it with full throttle, I think the c7005 is fine. If it blows, you can always send it to GregK for the upgrade.

Pretty much any chip will FIT in those cars, though. Plenty of room on the floor, and the interior is very shallow so no need to carve into it.

Unfortunately, the S2000 and Clio outclass the 500 by a wide margin due to their considerable girth relative to the 500. It's just not a fair fight from a handling perspective. If you want to make a racing set, keep them all 500s.

 

[MartinF]

If it blows, you can always send it to GregK for the upgrade.

I've only just found GregK's chip repair thread.

Good to know that's an option.

If you want to make a racing set, keep them all 500s.

Yes, this is the plan.

Magless 500s look like they should be great fun.

Update:
I've decided to give one a try and see how it goes.

Have now ordered

• NSR Arbath 500 (Martini livery)
• 103 Caps
• Ferrite Cores
• An assortment of Bright White, Warm White and Red LEDs. (typically, I only had blue and green LEDs in the parts bin)

I already have a C7005 and a SP15B.
Just need to order the SureChange guides and then wait for the postman.

 

[Mr Modifier]

You will need resistors to drop the voltage for the LEDs. Around 470-560 ohm will do for single LEDs

 

[MartinF]

Hi Richard,

I've plenty of resistors although they're probably the wrong power rating, the smallest I have are probably 1w.

I'll experiment to find a suitable brightness then buy a bunch of small low power resistors from Maplins if I don't already have something suitable in the stash.

Thanks for the starting values, much appreciated.

 

[shorty54]

On the SP15b the lighting pins are 5v so you can get by with a smaller resistor. I use 110-120ohm and have had no issues yet running 3mm and 1.8mm bright white, cool white, and red leds.

Shad

 

[MartinF]

One of the Arbaths arrived and after 30 mins or so running in analogue mode I knew it was going to be fun so time for chipping!

Most of the parts I need are still in the post but I can fit the chip for now and get some digital running.

The original plan was to fit a Slot.it chip with the IR LED mounted in a SureChange guide but that plan was scuppered when I discovered that the ARC Pro won't count laps if the LED is in front of the guide.

A Plan-B was required, so now I'll fitting the Slot.it chip flat on the bottom of the chassis with it's onboard IR LED in the traditional position and a second LED in the SureChange guide.

So first up I disassembled the chassis, and measured where the chip would fit.

I then carefully removed the magnet holders from the motor mount with a side cutters and scalpel, leaving just enough plastic to locate the board.


2018-03-10 13.23.23 by Martin Fay, on Flickr

The chip fit sits snugly into the remaining space with the LED located over the front hole of the motor mount.


2018-03-10 13.48.48 by Martin Fay, on Flickr

While I had the car apart I gave the front tyres a clean with IPA and a coat of Tamiya Semi-gloss clear. Then I refitted the motor mount. For the moment I just backed the mount screws off a half turn to leave a little float.

I didn't refit the magnet as this one will be mine.


2018-03-10 14.04.06 by Martin Fay, on Flickr

And here we are all reassembled.


Arbath Martini by Martin Fay, on Flickr

Hopefully by next week I'll have the guides and lighting components in hand and can complete the job.

Oh, and I guess I should heat shrink that ferrite man.

 

[Twigman]

so now I'll fitting the Slot.it chip flat on the bottom of the chassis with it's onboard IR LED in the traditional position and a second LED in the SureChange guide.

Fitting a second IR LED in the Surechange guide will disable the onboard IR LED

 

[MartinF]

Well so much for that brilliant idea!

 

[Twigman]

Well so much for that brilliant idea!

Better to know now rather than pull all your hair out later

 

[Dr_C]

I am not familiar with the LED biasing circuits of the 15b but for the 201b a simple resistor in series with the external LED will ensure both the internal and external LEDs function at the same time... would something similar work with the 15b chip?

MartinF if you want to find a solution to having both LEDs functioning please PM me...

C

 

[Twigman]

I am not familiar with the LED biasing circuits of the 15b but for the 201b a simple resistor in series with the external LED will ensure both the internal and external LEDs function at the same time... would something similar work with the 15b chip?

MartinF if you want to find a solution to having both LEDs functioning please PM me...

C

Wouldn't that mean that the car is registered twice each lap ?