[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

During my holidays, I started a new project.
It will be already the third wooden track that I'll build. (you have to scratch when it itches ;-)
Here's a link to my previous track (V2) You can still see some parts of the first underneath.

old track (V2)

The new design can be found at

new track (V3)

Images of the build process will follow soon.
I'm going to use scalectrix parts to use this one also for digital racing.

Have fun, slotrace 'till it hurts, and keep on building ;-)

 

[MrFlippant]

OOOHhhh! A hybrid routed analog/digital track? Definitely watching this with interest!

 

[1 32 slotter]

Count me on board too. I am also in the beginnings of a routed digital track. Will be watching to see how you go about it. Good luck.

Joel

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

Yesterday the postman rang twice with a nice box

A few scalectrix pieces arrived and are ready to be disassembled...
Made a little progress, you can find a little website at

http://users.telenet.be/phv

Hope to begin with the routing next week.

Happy slotting !

 

[MrFlippant]

Great start! Are you planning to have it just two lanes through the start/finish for digital racing, or are you planning to splice in additional sensors for more lanes in digital mode?

You've got the right controller, that's for sure. For my controller stations, I included the jack for the controller (any SSD controller) as well as the power jack that the SCP01 needs. If ever I have 6 racers all with slot.it controllers, I won't have daisy chained wires running everywhere to power them.

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

QUOTE (MrFlippant @ 30 Jul 2011, 17:48) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Great start! Are you planning to have it just two lanes through the start/finish for digital racing, or are you planning to splice in additional sensors for more lanes in digital mode?

You've got the right controller, that's for sure. For my controller stations, I included the jack for the controller (any SSD controller) as well as the power jack that the SCP01 needs. If ever I have 6 racers all with slot.it controllers, I won't have daisy chained wires running everywhere to power them.

Thanks !

Well I'm still thinking about the 2 or 3 lane thing. I'll route 3 lanes, but I only have one start/stop piece.
If i'm correct, this is also where the lap counting is done.
So with 3 lanes, I should guide the third always to the other two where the sensors are for correct lap counting...

Another problem is that I own a lot of cars, and converting them all to digital would cost a lot. So I would like to keep 2 systems, one for analog racing and one for digital (scalectrix mode).
With the help of some (well, probably a lot) electronics, I'm planning to make the system so that I can switch over with one switch from one to another.
I am going to use extra optosensors in the slots, so that it is possible in analog mode to drive the 3 lanes automatically when I'm am driving alone on the track.
These sensors will be connected to a Microchip controller that controls the flippers in analog mode and also communicates with the PC.

 

[1 32 slotter]

WHAT........I would like to hear A LOT more on how you plan to do this. VERY interesting. As for the 3rd lane. Just go get yourself a digital lap counter and steal the censers. Used if you can. I got mine for about 15 pounds shipped.

Not sure if I understand you correctly now that I have read your post #6 a few times. You want the PC to control the cars in analog mode? Through the digital chip? You wanting to control speed and braking? If I am understanding you correctly you will have your hands full implementing this on everyone else's track here on this forum.

Joel

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

QUOTE (1 32 slotter @ 30 Jul 2011, 20:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>WHAT........I would like to hear A LOT more on how you plan to do this. VERY interesting. As for the 3rd lane. Just go get yourself a digital lap counter and steal the censers. Used if you can. I got mine for about 15 pounds shipped.

Not sure if I understand you correctly now that I have read your post #6 a few times. You want the PC to control the cars in analog mode? Through the digital chip? You wanting to control speed and braking? If I am understanding you correctly you will have your hands full implementing this on everyone else's track here on this forum.

Joel

Sorry, my explanation could be confusing.

It's not the car I want to control with the Microchip, but the flippers when I'm driving alone (with one car) in pure analog mode.
The Microchip will control the flippers in such a way that I drive the three lanes one after the other automatically.
This way I can still use my old ACD handcontrollers (which I think are still the best).
This Microchip will also control the flippers when we are driving with three people in analog mode (set all the flippers straight) and it must also connect each analog hand controller to the correct lane.
The digital power base will be automatically disconnected in this mode.

The connection to the PC from the Microchip will be used for lap counting.
This part was already build on my last track and will be used again.
You can see it at the last picture on the section "The old track".
The red,green and yellow button and the LCD displays are a part of this.
The green button starts the race, the red is like a red flag, and the yellow is for the yellow-flag situation - the power is cut from the track during 5 seconds.
The LCD displays give info on the voltage on the track, race mode info and so on. Laptimes are send to the PC via RS232 serial protocol.

It will be a lot of work, but hey, it's a hobby, right ?

Hope this clears things out.

http://users.telenet.be/phv

 

[1 32 slotter]

-NOW I get it. Very cleaver. My track will be a 2 lane & I was going to make a X section that dropped in. Your way would be much cleaner. And very high tech. Which I like.

Looking forward to hearing about & seeing more of your track as she progresses.

Joel

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

Well, the routing has started.
I'll post some pictures later.
Meanwhile I also worked a little bit on the electronics for the switch analog / digital mode.

Here are some schemes, not fully done, but it's a start...

http://users.telenet.be/phv/pdf/slot-electric.pdf

http://users.telenet.be/phv/pdf/slot-analogpowerboard.pdf

http://users.telenet.be/phv/pdf/slot-analo...ontrolboard.pdf

http://users.telenet.be/phv/

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

Some new pictures of the routing, not very spectacular

http://users.telenet.be/phv

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

Here's an update.
Most of the routing is done.

you can find the new pictures at http://users.telenet.be/phv/photos-4/index.html

 

[GT40's]

nothing short of spectacular ,way to go!

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

New pictures have arrived.
The track is painted, except for the panels where the LC's are.
Installed the first LC today.

Pictures can be found at http://users.telenet.be/phv/photos-5/index.html

Keep on slotting !

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

Here is a little update.
The track is fully "braided". Pictures will follow.
The pcb boards for the lc also arrived last week. Soldering time !!!

 

[doncatwalker]

My God....That looks enormous. Great looking track.

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

Finished one LC board today.
Tested, and worked fine, both in digital and pure analog mode (not through the scalextric powerbase)
One down, 4 to go... ;-)

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

Update:

Track is assembled and now testing the electronics...

 

[MrFlippant]

Fantastic! It's great how you've combined two hobbies, slot cars and electronics, like that. I'm going to guess that you probably do one of them professionally. ;-)
I look forward to seeing a video with 6 cars running around on that track, not to mention the finished track. Are you planning to do landscaping?

 

[phil_the_spoiler_killer]

Thank You ! And yes, electronics are my work and hobby... (and slotracing of course !)

I'm planning to add scenery, but there's still a lot of work on the electronics section before I can begin with landscaping...

Keep on slotting !