Parma & Carrera

[Flytoo]

I'm trying to figure out how to connect analog Carrera connectors, to Parma Econo controllers. The Carrera connectors have a black, blue and red wire and my two Parma Econo's are both different:

One has a blue, brown and a green with a yellow stripe and the other one has a green, a black and a white?

[chappy]

Flytoo, if you take the Carreras apart you will see which wire goes to which end of the resistor and which to the Plunger.
When you look at your Parmas See which goes to which end of the resistorand which to the trigger wiper

Do this when there is no pressure on the trigger or plunger.
this way you can tell which wire goes where on the parmas and then using the Carrera plug cut with sufficient wire to join to, the parma wires attach the corresponding wire.
Alternately you can use pin connectors on the Parmas which should fit in the Carrera power base.
I have done both and it works either way.
The colour would be nice if it was all red / white/ blue, but in effect the color is secondary tomthe function.
on the Carrera controller the wire at the bottom of the resistor would be full power, and at the top no power and brake, The wiper working the resistor coils in between.
On the Parma the wire at the end where the wiper is at rest is the no power or brake, the wire at the opposite end is full power and the wire on the wiper is working the resistor coils in between.
Just have a good look, and before you cut anything , bare the wire ends on the parmas and put them into the holes on the Power base to make sure you have it right.
My bet is someone else here will be better able to explain it but I know my method works.
Are you using 45 ohm Parmas?
Bob

[Flytoo]

Thank you so very much Chappy! I do appreciate the help! To be honest, I was thinking that my Parma's are 25 ohm, but I honestly don't remember and I can't find any marking on them except for the Parma name. One is a bluish translucent color and the other is a purple see through color.

[RichD]

Parma controllers use the US standard color code. The white wire goes to the resistor, the black wire goes to the wiper arm and the red wire goes to the brake contact. When the controller is in the off position the wiper should make with the brake contact, if you were to measure across the red and black leads you should have close to 0 ohms. Parma resistors are marked with the ohm value and that can be seen by looking through the slots in the top of the controller. The markings are on the top side opposite from the side where the wiper makes contact, sometimes the markings are faded and difficult to read. The color of the grips is no indication of the ohm value. You can determine the ohm value if you have a multimeter. If you connect the meter to the white and black leads and pull the trigger just enough to contact the beginning of the resistor you will see the ohm value. If you pull the trigger all the way you should read close to 0 ohms. If not first check the meter by touching the meter leads together, if the reading is not zero or very close to it there is a problem with the meter, otherwise the resistor may be dirty or corroded or the wiper button is not making good contact and needs to be adjusted.

[Flytoo]

I apologize for all of the confusion. I'm obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer! Years ago, I added "extension" cables onto my Parma's and used two different ones on each of my parma controllers. (I wired these to a small phone jack as I was running Ninco track.) So, that's why all of the various wire colors now exist! :oops: I'm more than a little, embarrassed.

[chappy]

No apologies Flytoo, just issues resolved.
What Rich says is 100% , and I figured the wiring had been changed somewhere , but the function remains the same. As for the resistors , The lower the ohm rating the better it operates for higher powered motors.
My personal preference for all around has been in the 45 ohm range. Normal Scaley and The like are around 60. For real bullets , the range can go from 3 ohm .
My bet is your on home track with mildly modified cars, so 45 would be perfect. 25 may be a bit like an on off switch for milder cars. Fortunately Parma resistors are available from a number of HRW resources..
Good Luck , and keep us posted
Bob