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Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sat Nov 22, 2014 8:29 pm
by bobbyraz49
Hello from snowy Buffalo.
So I have been racing Scaley's on a Carrera ,6 lane.200 foot analog track at a local hobby store.
A couple of guys make their stock motors run so much fast than mine as well as other racers.
What are they doing? Voo Doo juice in the motor ? WD 40 ?
Any suggestions are encouraged.
Many thanks !
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sat Nov 22, 2014 11:20 pm
by Ember
Possibly a wet run-in with or without a couple of drops of Spray & Wipe or Voodoo in the run-in water.
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sat Nov 22, 2014 11:38 pm
by munter
Not all Scaley 18K motors are equal in performance. I tested three for rpm at 12 volts and got two at 20,800 and one at 19,600rpm.
These were three random ones from the parts bin.
If the other guys cars are going way faster then try some more chassis tuning as well as motor work.
It is also easy to open a scaley motor and swap the arm for something hotter.
Boxstock is a tough class to compete in.
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sat Nov 22, 2014 11:44 pm
by waaytoomuchintothis
There are a lot of things people will tell you about the motors, but without removing the endbell and changing the windings or timing, the most common successful things you can do in my experience are "breaking in" the motor properly, and coupled with that, cleaning the armature thoroughly (the alcohol/water treatment). Be sure to have a pinion gear on the motor to get the most of this.
It should be said that more important than anything you do to the motor, the proper gearlash adjustment, axle bushings freedom, etc will get your car around the track faster and handling better.
Everybody will jump in on something like this, and that's the way it should be because everybody's driving style is different. (-except Kurt. He drives like everybody... its disgusting. Don't watch.)
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2014 1:20 am
by Abarth Mike
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:32 am
by Abarth Mike
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2014 9:02 am
by bobbyraz49
First and foremost...waaaytomuchintothis....Thanks for the heads up on Kurt (who ever he is) !!!
I understand the quicker out of the curve suggestion (TY)...but a couple cars just fly.by the others.
Also like Mark's idea of a video.
Thanks to all !!!Much appreciated.
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2014 9:29 am
by waaytoomuchintothis
We had a concensus on the best method for dunking motors once upon a time. There is an article on HRW somewhere (probably in the "Tips" topic), with photos, etc. There's really nothing to it. Just remember that water conducts electricity only at the surface, so don't have any power on at that point in the process. The purpose of the alcohol is to remove all the water from the motor, and it dries faster. In addition, I use an air hose at an angle in the motor's vents, which spins the armature faster than the motor would, which als0o greatly speeds the drying. I know people who use lighter fluid (naptha), but I personally have never thought it a viable method, since you have to clean the residue out of the motor sooner or later.
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2014 9:35 am
by waaytoomuchintothis
Found it. Read the whole thing and you will be amazed at how attention has been paid to this subject.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1181&hilit=motor+dunk
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2014 4:10 pm
by Ember
It's like so many things. Everyone has their own little tricks that they are convinced work in their favour. There may not even be a measurable outcome with the trick applied, but if someone is convinced it works because they won last time they did it, well...
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2014 8:08 pm
by munter
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Mon Nov 24, 2014 6:00 pm
by bobbyraz49
We race a "stock" Scalextric Trans-Am car. We allowed silicone tires on the rear as well as a 375 gram max down force (magnet).
The track is massive.
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Mon Nov 24, 2014 6:21 pm
by Modlerbob
There are always a special few who have the knack for getting more out of a motor and car than the rest of the crowd. Most of it is an extraordinary talent and attention to detail.
One simple but expensive thing to do is to buy, say 50 motors. There will be two or three that far exceed the capability of the others. Let the manufacturer do your cheating for you.
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Mon Nov 24, 2014 9:15 pm
by bobbyraz49
Hey Bob....How have you been ??
How are you tracks ??? Cars ??
Re: Scalextric motors

Posted:
Tue Nov 25, 2014 9:18 am
by Reegs
Don't forget that the strength of the traction magnet will also affect your speed. These aren't the torque-iest of motors to begin with.
And buy those 50 motors from 50 different vendors. Sometimes whole production batches are suspect. :roll: