[ss67]

I have an intermittent problem (or two) with cars registering laps under two or more IDs. These schizophrenic cars can wreck any chance of sensible results. This will happen even with 1 car on the track and all other controllers unplugged.
How do I cure this?

Also sometimes a lap is not recorded. Is it possible that cars travelling over the start finish are too quick? the start finish (4 lane) is towards the end of a 4m straight but I would rather not move it unless I have to

I am using PBProSH and SSDC with voltages between 11.5v & 13.8v.

Any help or advice greatfully received

 

[GregK]

Hi Simon,

How long have you been using the 4-lane start/finish?

When did you first notice this problem??

Does this affect all cars or are there specific one???

Cheers - Greg

 

[ss67]

QUOTE (GregK @ 7 Jun 2011, 15:45) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Simon,

How long have you been using the 4-lane start/finish? - NOT LONG

When did you first notice this problem?? - RECENTLY

Does this affect all cars or are there specific one??? - I HAVEN'T DONE EXTENSIVE TESTING BUT IT IS MORE THAN ONE CAR

Cheers - Greg

If I push the cars over the sensors they do record laps!

 

[GregK]

Can you go back to a "standard" PB with only two lanes to see if it makes a difference?

 

[MrFlippant]

Eliminating possible sources of the problem is a good idea, like going back to two lanes as GregK suggested.
If you can't simply unplug the extra lanes, a couple other ideas are to reset the PB to default values, and run some laps with the PC disconnected. I've had some inexplicable issues that went away when I reset the PB to defaults. If you're using SSDC 5.x, although it's pretty solid, there still might be some issues.

 

[Ade]

hi
when i used pbpro missed laps or dodgy id's were usually just caused by dust on the optical sensers.Try running a vacum over the pb sections and wipe the senser on the car.

I had to do this a couple of times in as many years but normal service was always resumed....

 

[ss67]

Thanks Guys for the advice.

It will be a few days before I can next try these things.

GregK - I should be able to swap out the 4 lane s/f for a standard C7030 I have or even try out my C7042.

MrF - I'll try resetting (probably before the above option) to see if it makes a difference. At the moment I'm using SSDC v,4.6.7. Is there any benefit to upgrading to v.5 yet? Will I lose any features from v4? Have bugs in v.5 been ironed out yet?

Ade (bigbird) - I hoovered and cleaned vigorously when I had the problems but I'm not sure if it made a difference. It seemed to work for a few laps then the problems re-occurred and I don't think it got dirty that quickly. I have used inox quite liberally as well.

 

[MrFlippant]

You can install SSDC v5 and try it out without messing up v4, so no harm in checking it out. It works differently, but I believe everything from the previous version is in v5, plus some other nice things. It's especially good for when you want to run a series of races with friends.

 

[Ade]

hi
the problem may well be in your liberal coating of inox.A little goes along way.When i first got mine i was having problems with a rev G dpr car,it turned out to be to much inox on the braid plate.

Once it has worked into the rails wipe of the excess so the rails are dry.Then make sure the braid plates are dry and apply only a drop to each braid.I have not touched my traack in months and it works superb.

 

[ss67]

QUOTE (bigbird @ 8 Jun 2011, 17:49) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>hi
the problem may well be in your liberal coating of inox.A little goes along way.When i first got mine i was having problems with a rev G dpr car,it turned out to be to much inox on the braid plate.

Once it has worked into the rails wipe of the excess so the rails are dry.Then make sure the braid plates are dry and apply only a drop to each braid.I have not touched my traack in months and it works superb.

Thanks Ade,

I did wonder if I was "flooding" it.

I'll try a little less Inox along with the other recommendations.

My biggest concern though is if I have to move the start finish.

Is it possible that it can miss cars if they are going too fast?

 

[MrFlippant]

Yes, but not because of speed as much as the guide being up out of the slot a little. That's why we like to put the base at the end of a straight before a turn. It's not so that the car is slow, so much as so that the car is slowing down, thereby driving the guide as deep into the slot as the front wheels will allow. This is not so much an issue with magnet cars as magless, but it can still happen.
Oh, and definitely don't put more INOX on. If anything, go around all the tracks with a dry rag to pick up any excess. Also, as Ade pointed out, check all the car's braids and guides by removing the braid plates. If you can SEE the INOX anywhere, there's too much, and it should be wiped up completely.

 

[Ade]

hi
i have run pbpro and apb midway down a 11ft straight with no problems with missed id's or missed laps.

That said though the difference between english power and american power means that the latter will be running from memory 20% faster due to different voltages and freqiuncies being used...

By all means try the pb in a different posistion but as it was working ok before i would say it is down to the inox flooding.