Controllers

[Dodgefarmer]

MM got me thinking about all the different controller resistance, driving styles, motor requirements,etc. that exist. Would an electronic adjustable controller such as the slot it or PM get around having a herd of different resistance controllers laying around?

Randy

[dr fabio]

[pfuetze]

for the price of those electronic controllers, i can have all resistors in the parma eco controllers that i need, but for 3 lanes.

i have 3 controllers (for each lane):
90 ohm (switchable to 75 and 60 with parallel resistorss) good for Go!, SCX and Kyosho
45 ohm (switchable to 35 and 25 with parallel resistors) H0 motors
15 ohm (switchable to 11 and 8 with parallel resistors) artin, G9330, some H0 motors, Fyrebox

i did not need any other controller and the parma eco, i did not make it to destroy one in 10 years of racing.

[dr fabio]

Wow you really have expensive taste RM. Is it really that good compared to other e-controllers? I toyed with the idea of designing a pulse width modulation controller but decided against it. The frequency you run the PWM at is somewhat dependent on the motor youre using.
Maybe there is a good compromise frequency that suits a wide variety of motors, but the fact that they have different controllers for different motors probably means they run their controllers at different PWM frequencies? As for FET braking I really need to be convinced that this is the way to go. Basically you are modulating the rate of either full brakes or no brakes. So the rear end is either locking up or free wheeling. Just dont think thats the best way to go. You wouldnt apply the brakes in your 1:1 car like that??

Steve Hill at TruSpeed makes a good PWM controller for less than half the price.

cheers
dr fabio

[HomeRacingWorld]

[Mayberryman]

I have never understood the quest for the most expensive controller possible. I have raced most scale classes and some GP 12, 15 and a couple of times GP 27s (although a card carrying dislike of wing racing). At the present time I have settled on 1/32 plastic based racing and I have three controllers. The Professor Motor low power club pro which cost 129.00 and two Parma turbos one at 45 ohm and the other at 35 ohm. I have used an Omni and a defalco during my 1/24th racing days. I have always looked in amazement at the people who hook up to the track with controllers that look like something out of Star Wars. I do not dislike these controllers but I do feel they can be over kill and a temp fix until the next latest and greatest controller is put up for sale.

You must remember that my first slot car experiences were with Aurora Steering Wheel controllers for HO and a cox thumb controlled unit for 1/24 sometimes hooked up to a nine volt reverse battery when the double or triple wind had no brakes at all.

[Dodgefarmer]

Well all this certainly gives me something to think about. While I am sure that a high end controller is all that it is supposed to be, I don't think that it would be feasible for my home track and the price point would probably dampen the fun factor. My Parma Econo 45's are for the most part more than adequate for my setup but there are a few motors that that they do not play well with and my driving needs all the help that it can get :lol: . Thanks for all the response.

Randy

[Broman62]

[pfuetze]

[pfuetze]

and because i´m sitting here with way to much time to waste, here are the values for the parallel resistors:
90: for 60ohms 180 parallel, for 75ohm 450ohm
45: for 35ohms 150 parallel, for 25ohm 57ohm
15: for 11ohms 40 parallel, for 15ohm 15ohm

it doesn´t really matter if you can´t get the totally correct values for the resistors, it will only differ a few percent, nothing that could be felt.
greatings out of turkey!

[Dodgefarmer]

Thanks for the link Bro. Looks like 2 controllers per lane would get the job done (25-60 ohm), 3 to cover the field (25-90 ohm).
Peter, That mod looks easy enough to do. Where would I source those resistors from?

Thanks
Randy

[pfuetze]

any electronic parts shop, around here in austria, it would be Conrad, but on your side of the pond???
radio shack? digi key? ebay?

[masmojo]

I have an old Professor motor that I bought off ebay for cheap many years ago and I really like it. That said I also like my 45ohm Parma's! They both have their advantages and disadvantages.

The PM's are nice but you do have to watch the polarity, So if you use aligator clips (as I do) you've got to pay attention and supervise little kids.

The parma's are not so fussy, But you will go through resistors from time to time and it seems they are almost as much $$$ as the controller! I got about 3 controllers that need new resistors! :doh:

Those Third eye controllers sound great and no doubt they are worth every penny if you can afford them; My recommendation is to upgrade to the Parma's first and then get a PM or something like that as you can afford it. Then if you start racing seriously get a third Eye or one of those high dollar things!

[Dodgefarmer]

Thanks Mas. I already have Parma 45's on both tracks. IMHO they are a fantastic piece of equipment, especially for the price. However some of the aftermarket motors don't respond favorably with them. I was also wondering if different resistance controllers might improve my driving (something has to :lol: ). I have also started using 1/32 cars on the oval and have an SCX Cuda that I am at half throttle before it starts moving .
Peter, I found a source for 5W resistors here in Canada. I "think" ( not always a good thing :lol: ) I would like to go with a 60, 45, 35-25. I will have to get the 60 from Parma but would you be able to tell me what resistors I will need to to step it down for the other 2 ratings.

Thanks
Randy

[Broman62]