Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (mcr774) — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:30:45 GMT

Devo,

Also read the Artin Review section for very very easy "How to's" on all of these things mentioned from brakes, to power supply, and power taps.

Matthew

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (Nor Cal Mike) — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:16:24 GMT

tomtheom wrote:
I have a 4-lane Artin track. For timing, I use the Artin lap counter tracks and have them wired to an old PC that runs SRM (Slot Race Manager) software. I've had very good luck with it--hasn't missed a lap yet. And it was pretty easy to set up. Got all the info from this site and others.

Tom,

Tell us more. This would be a great write up as a how to...

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (tomtheom) — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:46:03 GMT

I have a 4-lane Artin track. For timing, I use the Artin lap counter tracks and have them wired to an old PC that runs SRM (Slot Race Manager) software. I've had very good luck with it--hasn't missed a lap yet.

And it was pretty easy to set up. Got all the info from this site and others.

Tom the om

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (Smith Speedway) — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:02:50 GMT

What about Carlson? Wasn't there a guy making input tracks for all the systems?

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (Nor Cal Mike) — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:30:06 GMT

devo,
No one has answered your timer questions. There is no out of the box timing system available for Artin other than the two, 2 lane offerings by Artin. To use the two lane timers for 4 lanes, you would have to split the 4 lanes into two 2 lane sections to allow input of two the timer sections of track. I forget who, but either SCW or BRS hobbies has a diagram of how to do that on their website. As far as I know, neither of the Artins timers will input into a computer. For folks that...

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (HomeRacingWorld) — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:09:19 GMT

Follow the advice these guys have mentioned..it is dead on.

And to let you know, Dixon Hills was designed and set up first with stock power. We did it to test the flow of the track to see how we would like it. All cars we tested worked fine. Not as fast as from higher output transformers or aftermarket supplies, but functioned quite well.

Good luck! Look forward in seeing your new track.

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (Nor Cal Mike) — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:16:38 GMT

Dennis is right about those cars. All of the cars he mentioned come from manufacturers who make complete sets. All of those sets run on wall wart power supplies that are roughly equivalent to each other in terms of power output. Voltage varies a couple of volts but overall power output is similar.

Mike A

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (oldstromguy) — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:58:19 GMT

Artin is a great choice.
Personally, I would not be too concerned about the power issue with Artin, Scalextric, Carrera, or SCX cars. I run all those with either my Artin 2 lane or 4 lane stock power supplies and they are fine.
Also, if you find you need more power, do not be intimidated by that. It is VERY easy to simply cut off the power plug from a stock supply and wire it to an after market power supply. Just ask here and you'll get all the help you need.

Now,...

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (Nor Cal Mike) — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:09:31 GMT

If you use Artin cars with their mild motors and mild magnets and head lights you should be able to have a lot of fun with a single power supply. After all, Artin sells a 4 lane track with 4 GT1& GT2 cars all of which have headlights. The more the merrier if you want to add a second power supply. However the, "and others" in your question depends on the "others." Some of the other manufacturers use hotter motors and more importantly, very strong traction magnets....

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (devo523) — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:19:32 GMT

Without upgrading the power supply will I be able to run cars with headlights and others on this track.

Also, what are my options if any to get a lap counter/timer on this track either through my computer or other piece.

Re: Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (Nor Cal Mike) — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:26:43 GMT

If you are only going to run four lanes with stock Artin stockers, you will have no problem using only one power supply. However, I see no problem with using both power bases with two power supplies with only one caveat. Tape over , disconnect or block the two redundant controller plugs in each base. I say this because I had the idea to wire redundant parallel drivers stations on each end of my wood track. It worked fine except one time I left an unused controller at a drivers station while...

Want to build the Dixon Hills Speedway but...

feeds@yuku.com (devo523) — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:21:13 GMT

Hi, I want to build the dixon hills speedway by buying two 4 lane artin sets. I'm all set to go but I'm very nervous about playing with upgrading power etc. Can I get away with using both power strips on the track or just buy the two packs and setting it up? Please some one tell me. Thank you.

PS. This is my first track, let me know if I'm picking a good or bad set to start.