PM Controllers

[Mitch58]

I'm looking to get three non adjustable controllers for IROC racing. Which OHM Professor Motor or Parma controller is best for stock Scalextric and Fly motors?

[4424ever]

PM controllers have no resistance rating most any one will work. If you go the Parma route I run 35 ohms on my oval and they work just fine others also use 25 ohm :D

[HomeRacingWorld]

[4424ever]

That’s cool Harry I didn’t realize they existed I think I personally would choose them over the Parmas simply because of the wear factor with a wire wound resistor :D

[HomeRacingWorld]

Oh I very much agree sir. Parma is basically dead and gone anyway...I gave away my last of them a year ago.

[Modlerbob]

All of my guest controllers are non adjustable PMs, no known ohm ratings

[RichD]

Professor Motor sells 25,35, 45 and 90 ohm resistor controllers. Parma was in disarray for a number of years, but their full line of Economy resistor controllers is now available.
I have never used a resistor based controller with a 1/32nd car except for test purposes. The ohm value that you would need would depend on a number of factors including the type of car, whether you are using traction magnets, the track voltage and the configuration of your track. Many people would use a 45 ohm controller. You could get one of those and see how you like it. If the 45 ohm controller is satisfactory you could order more. If the response seems to be slow, that is you have to pull the trigger a way just to get a car moving, you would need to go to the next lower ohm value. I don't know if the resistor in a PM controller is easily replaceable, but replacement Parma resistors are available.
Electronic controllers have no ohm value, most if those use a transistor to control the voltage and they are fussy about how your track is wired. The better electronic controllers have adjustable sensitivity and brakes and can be used with any sort of car on any sort of track. Basic electronic controller without those adjustments would still probably be better than a resistor controller, but it would cost more which is a factor if you need to buy a bunch of them. For your personal use you should try an electronic controller if you have never done that. It is nice if you can borrow a controller before you buy one.

[williamg]

The standard PM controller, about $56 ? is a great controller.
I have just one right now. I used to have a few.
They make it plug and play for scalex, ninco, and carrera.

I can run any 1/32 and so far any 1/24 car on my track and it handles them well. The sensitivity adjustable models are more $ but you really would only need those if you run crazy motors or change your track voltage from the 12v average.

[Mitch58]

I already have several adjustable controllers which are great for club racing, but as a club we hold several IROC races each year with cars set up as close as possible ( you can never get them exactly the same) and the drivers rotate through the track. It's nice to have controllers set the same. I also have grandchildren who love to race but cannot stop turning the knobs on the controllers. So I've ordered three Professor Motor 35 ohm controllers. We'll see how that works.

[Broman62]