Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (prime05) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:44:07 GMT

all the reed switches that I have replaced have actually been broken. Have yet to have a replaced one break.

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (sbctimh) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:41:42 GMT

The reed switch is reversable, it simply opens and closes the connection based on weather or not a magnet is pulling down on it
You might want to look at the switch real good while it's in the car and see if it's twisted slightly.
If the metal tabs in it aren't laying perfectly flat towards the track cars going by might activate it.
Just an idea, I have no electrical skill and haven't tried it, but it wouldn't cost anything to simply bend it so it sits right...

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (richiebman) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:27:53 GMT

Hey thanks again,
looks like I get to go to the shack. I'll look for a iron with a real small tip. Quick question. This post said that the reed switch closes when it passes over a magnet in the track. Does it matter what position the reed switch is in when I solder it in? In other words is the switch 2 little metal wires that get pulled together by the magnet? If so I would think the positioning would be important. Remember you have to give special attention to the idiots!

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (plus77) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:45:55 GMT

Hey richie, Go to Radio Shack, or other, and get a soldering iron! It shouldn't be expensive, about $10.00 or less. Get some electrical solder also. Get some wire and try soldering two wires together. When you get a good solder joint you will know it by the color. It should look shinny. I have tried the cold solder irons, and for small work they are useless. Like I have told others new to Slot Cars, knowing how to solder and how to use an ohm meter is almost essential to this hobby....

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (richiebman) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:59:57 GMT

I found them!!! I wasn't looking under the board. Guess I need to learn to follow directions. Thanks plus77! So you think I should solder them and them hot glue them to the chassis huh. Sounds good. I suck at soldering. I also had one of my cars that came with the set (grey and red vodaphone) arrive DOA, I was tinkering with the black ground wire from the brushes and found that it is not soldered to the board. I tried to solder it and I was not successful. My soldering gun is a...

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (plus77) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:23:56 GMT

richie, The reed switch is under the circuit board about were the drivers feet would be. I have found them two ways, either soldered to the board, hanging down, or soldered to short wires and hot glued to the chassis. I think it is better to solder them so they will lie on the chassis. that way they are close to the magnets and will react better.
Hope this helps!
Art Love that spell checker!!

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (richiebman) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:19:24 GMT

I really like hearing that switching the reed switches solves the problems of lap counting and specifically erratic pitting. Here is the problem, I'm an idiot. I really need pictures of exactly which switch to snip out and where it is. Is there a reed switching for dummies book somewhere? Sometimes you have to give the idiots extra attention. Help

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (prime05) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:08:07 GMT

Hey, just fixed two of my cars using this. Works perfectly. Thank you for this tip! I noticed that on both cars the reed switch was physically broke. Wish Artin (well, I guess it is actually Wany Electronics) made a sturdier switch, but for $.50 cents and about two minutes of my time, I'm really not going to complain. This is a very easy fix, maybe a little tricky at first, but after you've done one, it's easy as pie. I bought twelve reed switches for $13 including shipping,...

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (plus77) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:31:49 GMT

Hi George, I was checking my Artin Digital cars. One would not fuel, when it went into the pit area. I found the reed switch was not working. I also noticed that on some cars the switch is solid on the circuit board and on others it is on wires and glued to the chassis. I will have to order some of the reed switches. Price is very reasonable, wish the shipping was!!!!
Art

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (crazycop) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:27:23 GMT

It is good to see that the Artin Dig-pro supporters are sharing info on fixes to the equipment. This was a great find since I too have a car that won't count laps and no word from Artin after calls and waiting two months. Thanks for the info and anything thing else that comes up please pass on........

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (Nicepackage) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:03:57 GMT

There are actually two reed switches needed for lap counting. The first one is in the power base section and is tripped by the magnet in the car. The second one is under the circuit board and that one is tripped by magnets under power base track.

Nice catch on replacing the reed switch. Will have to keep that in mind if I have issues in the future.

Hobbes - Goerge, could you edit your first post and put in the part number. That should make it eaiser to find.

I...

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (prime05) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:49:06 GMT

This is great news! I have had two cars have this issue without a single word back from artin after trying to get a hold of them for a month. Finally, I will be able to run six cars on the track again. I think this should be put up as a sticky.

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (Hobbes55) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:14:45 GMT

Hey Mark,

I will see what I can do on pics, the switch is a small vacuum tube with wires that come out of each end just behind the front drivers side wheel. I was able, although it is a bit tricky, to switch mine out without disturbing anything else on the cars. You take the body off, remove the screw that holds the circuit board on and gently lift up on it. I used small nail clippers to snip out the old one, left a little of the old wire to make soldering the new one easier. Bend...

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (show33) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:54:51 GMT

Hi George:
This is great info - thanks. Is there anyway you could post a couple of "how-to" photographs so less talented people like myself could visualize the parts and process you are talking about.
Thanks
Mark

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (Hobbes55) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:45:05 GMT

Hey Brian, bought some track and parts from you here recently, great web site and you've gotta have the fastest turn around on orders going. The part number on the switches is RSW-27 "Small reed switch", it is a far more heavier duty switch than the one that comes with the car and holds up from the inevitable crash. At 2 for a dollar I would buy a few extra. From what I am seeing the magnets on the car have nothing to do with lap counting or pitting, it is all in this...

Re: Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (BRS Hobbies) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:16:59 GMT

George,

Thanks for the info! What's the part number for the reed switch that you mentioned?

Best regards,
Brian

Fixing Digi Problems

feeds@yuku.com (Hobbes55) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:34:22 GMT

One easy fix for the Artin Digipro cars is the "reed switch" on them, I had two go bad the first week I had the track. Problems with this switch will cause the cars to run erratically: not register laps, not pit, or pit places on the track other than the pit stop. The company that sells the power supplies you see listed on this forum from time to time "allelectronics" also sells a small reed switch that works perfect. This switch is found on the bottom of the cars...