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Post by dave632 on Jul 1, 2017 14:48:56 GMT -7
Since I have been running HO drag car for awhile now I can definitely say that they run decidedly different on other tracks.
Despite having bigger power supplies than others some of my cars run quicker on other tracks while others are drastically slower???
I have no idea how to figure out why this happens but traction, track surface, rails, hookups, power supplies and starting procedure
must have something to do with it. If anyone knows the answer and would like to share it please do.
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Post by ecbill on Jul 1, 2017 15:04:52 GMT -7
That's something I find interesting too. Often my cars run faster on the tracks hosting races than they do on their home track. The track is the plastic AW/AFX track powered by a 30v/20A power supply. The major differences are probably the fact that I use stock controllers to start the cars, the track does not have jumpers and as you mentioned the plastic surface and the rails.
Rail height seem to be a big factor. I recall one race were one persons car's traction magnets were gripping the rails too strongly and bogging the cars down.
Once my track is able to have a permanent home, I'll work on upgrading the starting system and add jumpers. In the long term, perhaps a routed track with one piece rails.
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Post by dave632 on Jul 1, 2017 15:19:58 GMT -7
Yes, my track uses relays to start the cars which are faster than any human hand. The Max Trax I use has a rail height which is a couple of thousandths higher than stock AFX track. I have had cars drag the magnets on the rails which certainly slows them down.
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Post by nosubfor3 on Jul 2, 2017 5:00:04 GMT -7
Yes, my track uses relays to start the cars which are faster than any human hand. The Max Trax I use has a rail height which is a couple of thousandths higher than stock AFX track. I have had cars drag the magnets on the rails which certainly slows them down. Yep. If your raceing on a plastic AFX track you can run a smaller tire and bigger crown. Running on a Maxx Traxx or wizzard you need taller tires so the t-mags don't drag on the rails.Routed tracks are good as you can choose your own surface and rail height. My very first drag strip was made from MDF and painted the surface with outdoor porch oil based paint. Talk about traction.WOW.Even wet sponge tires hooked up. I used a round type of rail material to reduce the wear on the pu shoes.It also had 6' of 1/4x1/4 steel shut down.Ran out of room so I had to take it apart and store it. Went to put it back up and the rail material all separated from the MDF. Now it makes wonderful shelving. |
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Post by jjwallace on Jul 2, 2017 10:00:50 GMT -7
Three things come to mind right off the top of my head although there are many factors that could cause a difference in cars performance. 1st and foremost is USPS! Rough handling is never good for performance....at least with my cars. One good jolt and the brushes are no longer seated properly...pick ups bent...etc. I pack my cars in the center of the box with cushion so they do not move. That's all I can do beyond delivering them myself. 2nd I have had my cars grossly over oiled (comm) at host tracks on several occasions. That will flat out kill performance. Because of that, I give my cars a good oiling before shipping and request that they only be oiled if absolutely needed. Our current Racemasters are knowledgeable builders and don't do that. I do not oil the comm shaft on cars at my races unless I absolutely have to and am very conscious of oiling too much. 3rd pick up/braid adjustment. Such a critical adjustment!! More for bare pick ups than braids, but very important with the braids too. It takes time to check all of the cars that are entered in a race for proper shoe adjustment, but the Racemaster owes it to the builder to make sure that is right....IMHO. Like I said......there are many many factors beyond those three that can affect a cars performance at a host track. But if a car leaves a builders hands tuned and set up properly.....then those 3 things can make a car go from a rocketship to a turd.
I like this discussion. I will say that I found it easier to tune for host tracks when I had my AFX sectioned track vs the Max Trax that I now have. I believe the reason for that is there is less downforce with the sectioned track so when I set my cars up, I always had enough downforce no matter where they went. Now the Max Trax has more rail and downforce, so I found myself not having enough downforce at host tracks. I think I have it figured out now, but it took awhile. Interested in hearing others thoughts on this.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2017 12:21:18 GMT -7
Three things come to mind right off the top of my head although there are many factors that could cause a difference in cars performance. 1st and foremost is USPS! Rough handling is never good for performance....at least with my cars. One good jolt and the brushes are no longer seated properly...pick ups bent...etc. I pack my cars in the center of the box with cushion so they do not move. That's all I can do beyond delivering them myself. 2nd I have had my cars grossly over oiled (comm) at host tracks on several occasions. That will flat out kill performance. Because of that, I give my cars a good oiling before shipping and request that they only be oiled if absolutely needed. Our current Racemasters are knowledgeable builders and don't do that. I do not oil the comm shaft on cars at my races unless I absolutely have to and am very conscious of oiling too much. 3rd pick up/braid adjustment. Such a critical adjustment!! More for bare pick ups than braids, but very important with the braids too. It takes time to check all of the cars that are entered in a race for proper shoe adjustment, but the Racemaster owes it to the builder to make sure that is right....IMHO. Like I said......there are many many factors beyond those three that can affect a cars performance at a host track. But if a car leaves a builders hands tuned and set up properly.....then those 3 things can make a car go from a rocketship to a turd. I like this discussion. I will say that I found it easier to tune for host tracks when I had my AFX sectioned track vs the Max Trax that I now have. I believe the reason for that is there is less downforce with the sectioned track so when I set my cars up, I always had enough downforce no matter where they went. Now the Max Trax has more rail and downforce, so I found myself not having enough downforce at host tracks. I think I have it figured out now, but it took awhile. Interested in hearing others thoughts on this. Very glad to see you mentioned the shipping and handling of packages by the USPS. A few years back a very big war of words broke out during one of the events I was hosting. I was accused of tampering with someones cars! All I did was open the box, remove the cars and place them on a clean shelf for the event! It got so darn bad I just pulled the plug on Nitroslots after the event was held. You are very accurate mentioning this one point. Thank you ALan |
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Post by nosubfor3 on Jul 2, 2017 15:10:00 GMT -7
The post office has antiquated equipment. Packages are literally thrown and dumped in containers with now orginaztion what so ever. Unlike UPS & FEDX who stack there container to maximize ever square inch. Apples to Oranges. But you take a risk with ever carrier you choose to ship with.
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Post by dave632 on Jul 2, 2017 20:43:25 GMT -7
I pack my cars with a lot of padding but I have had some packages get crushed by the post office. On the other hand I had and 800 dollar converter lost by UPS. Clowns gave me a hard time about it wanting to see a receipt for the item when it was insured thru them for 800, and it was 100% their fault. Never shipped UPS after that and that was over 15 years ago.
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