Stromebecker Controller on Scalextric

[CCC]

I have some old Strombecker controllers and I would like to wire one for a Scalextric track. Why would I want to? Because my youngest son who is three has to turn the current controller over and he uses his thumb. The old thumb activated Strombecker controllers would be much easier for him to use.

They are three wire controllers. Using a Parma controller for reference it appears that the black and white wires are reversed. I think that it shouldn't be much of a problem to make it work. What do you think? Is there a modern controller from another brand that would be good for a small child?

Thanks Curtis

[RichD]

It would be nice if you could find some old 45 ohm Atlas thumb controllers. They were probably the best set type controllers ever made, they have a proper ceramic core resistor and no wires to break. Atlas controllers were popular in the '60s and I expect that they turn up on ebay from time to time.

[CCC]

Well I finally wired it to a mini pin so it could plug into the Scalextric track. It was very easy. The black and white wires were reversed like I thought and the red was still the brake. So Black is full power, white is the wiper/trigger, and red brake. I put a bunch of elastics around the plunger so he can't drive it full speed. I thought I read somewhere that Strombecker controllers were 70 ohms like the Scaley ones. Just from using it for a couple of laps I would say it must be around 35 ohms. After all that my youngest prefers to use the Scaley controller, I guess because he got used to it. He turns it upside down and pushes the trigger with his thumb. Oh well lol.