Controllers for Artin?

[downtowndeco]

I'm doing a simple 4 x 10 Artin 4 lane oval. I am starting off w/2 stock walwarts (cost) but want to upgrade to better controllers asap. Which PM controllers would be reasonably priced & would work best w/this stock power supply & standard plastic non-mag cars? Do I just snip the connectors off of the stock controllers & add them to the PM's? The stock have no brakes, which I am OK with, but how do I deal w/that extra wire that the PM's probably come with? : )

I know, dumb questions but I'm a scenery guy, not an electronics guy/. Thanks.

[HomeRacingWorld]

[btaylor]

You will be happy with the parma controllers,i use the economy versions on my artin six lane oval. i use 45 ohm resistors,but i have a couple more made up with various 60-80 ohms,just because some lanes/cars like a little more sensitivity. i originally wired them up just like Harry's picture showed,but later hard wired to the track because of connection issues at the Artin plug. I have never posted my driver stations,because they probably are not UL approved! but i used cheap home wall outlets turned sideways,and have cheapo 2 prong drop cord type ends on the controller. i can actually have two controllers plugged in to any lane at the same time,one 45 ohm and another may be 60-80?. i have never had anyone mistake them for a 110 out let,and if they did,they would only have 12 volts! each driver station cost about $2.00 to build using new components.and you can get real creative with the outlet covers being painted lane marker colors.

[downtowndeco]

Super, that's the kind of info I needed. One more thing, I prefer a more user friendly controller w/a gentle control range vs a very fast, "on'off" switch type of controller. Does that mean I get ones with less, or more OHM's? Again, stock 1/32 cars, no mag. Thanks!

[btaylor]

I think that depends on the motor in the cars? but like Harry said,45 ohm's will give you smooth power on and off,wont be like an on/off switch. i like the broader range of the 60-80 ohms,as i dont ever really get off the trigger thru the corners,(why i dont use brakes)it keeps a little juice flowin to help keep the guide loaded if ya know what i mean? but for all around no headache's get the 45's. IMHO.

[Florida_Slotter]

As Harry and others have mentioned, you can wire up your layout properly so you won't have to worry what kind of controllers you use. Plus your friends that already have their own controllers (much like personal pool sticks - you know like Jim Croce said in one of his songs, "Even if you do got a two-piece custom-made pool cue") so they can hook right up.

Than as you progress along and decide you want "XYZ" controller, as long as it is positive gate polarity (about 99% of all electronic controllers are wired that way) it will work.

Keep up the super work.

[btaylor]