Tapping question

[4424ever]

I'm thinking about tapping my scales road course since it's over ten years old now. A visitor to the track wouldn't notice but I can see the difference in the performance even without the timing on My question is when the tape is applied what is the best way to make the connection between the rail and the tape. I will be using Venture brand without the conductive adhesive. Thanks in advance Dave!

[Nor Cal Mike]

I used the Venture tape with conductive adhesive on my SSD track. I didn't have to do anything but clean the rails before laying it down. Copper tape is pretty cheap. I suggest you get the adhesive backed tape.

On wood tracks when putting in a patch, folks jab the overlapping portions of the tape with a pin or needle. The resulting dimples make electrical contact. It works pretty well on wood which is soft. It might also work against a hard metal rail too but I haven't done it. But it would be simple to test to see if it works. Simply over lap two short but separate pieces of tape on some hard surface. Jab the overlap with a pin a few times and then touch the leads of an ohm meter to each end and test for continuity.

[4424ever]

Yes I've done the repair on my oval and it works great The tape available is ten minutes away I could buy and install today :dance:

[slothead]

Some of the HRW track builders say braid is best, but I have 2 tracks with copper tape and am totally satisfied. The oval is around 10 years old and running great. I thought the braids on the guides might eventually wear out the copper tape and I'd have to redo it, but now I'm convinced that won't be a problem. Tens of thousands of laps later everything is still working as new.

Slothead

[Modlerbob]

3M has a copper tape that is conductive on the sticky side too. Guarantees continuity, but it is a little more expensive.

[4424ever]

Thanks Shotgun that's the kind of confirmation I was looking for and it's kinda fitting coming from you since some of your handy work will be lapping the track :text-thankyouyellow:

[slothead]

I got my copper tape at a local stained glass supply store - it's a pretty popular hobby. A dear friend who's an artist makes theme based stained glass windows as a sideline and says 'walking dead' designs are her current specialty. My rolls with conductive adhesive cost about $6 each and I got a little plastic tool there too I used for burnishing.

Slothead