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Post by charley on Feb 18, 2012 17:55:15 GMT -7
O.k., so just about everyone has an AW home racing system. It has a wal-wart that puts out 13.5vdc with 800mA. Now, here is the delima I have. I don't have a track close by that has regular races so I am stuck with the 13.5vdc. When I want to enter one of the proxy races, I am seeing voltages from 13.5 up to 28vdc. What would you guy's think about having a set standard voltage for all races to be run at? We have a set 16.5vdc in the 1/24 cars no matter where you go. My reason would be if I get the car to run great and hook up great at my 13.5, then send it in to a 28vdc race............it's probably going to blow the tires off very first pull of the trigger and be put on the trailer.
Just a thought I had because looks like I might be able to enter som proxy races this year and I want to be competitive.
Thanks,
Charley
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Post by estill on Feb 21, 2012 14:02:00 GMT -7
I was going to try my hand at using a pair of Universal Laptop AC Adapters off of Amazon. They are switchable with the following specs:
DC15V ,6A(MAX), DC16V ,5.6A(MAX), DC18V or 18.5V ,5A(MAX), DC19V or 19.5V ,4.7A(MAX),DC20V, 4.5A(MAX),DC22V,4.1A(MAX). It should do just fine for my garage track.
I'm not sure if it is OK to link to Amazon, so search Amazon for a Universal Laptop AC Adapter 90W.
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Post by pceng on Feb 21, 2012 17:42:55 GMT -7
Hey Charley,
Used to feel the same way, only reversed had 22v until finding old 13v pack. Don't know if it makes any difference in setting up car. Some might do things different. I don't do anything any different that I can think of (maybe brush tension). But in case you don't know, think there are 5 NTRA classes that use 13v's. Could be more. And I imagine alot of the races this year will be 13v'ers. Go for it! And good luck in any races you enter.
................PC
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Post by bondoman2k on Feb 21, 2012 18:25:48 GMT -7
Actually, most of the NTRA classes are using the 13v. Only ones I know of that are higher is the Gasser class (runs at 18v I believe, has since we started the NTRA in 2007) and the Doorslammer (varies by track, our first race at Psychoslots was just over 24v, and at Lions it was 22v I think). Now, the 'new' classes (Modern FC, Top Fuel) will probly run at higher voltages because of the fact that they will be using poly mags, and lower ohm arms. To run those at lower voltages would pretty much make all the modifications useless. Those fall under the 'pro' categories (as does the Doorslammer class), which is why they are set at higher voltages and also because it takes more work (and sometimes more cash) to make them 'go fast'. If you run those at lower volts you might as well run with stock AW cars. All that work wouldn't matter, they need the higher volts to make the speed.  And, as far as I know, nobody is doing 28 volts! (unless I missed something?) Ron (Bondo)  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2012 21:22:09 GMT -7
I don't know if they include themselves in any of your interests, but Steve Gearys EXTREME (DRHOE) tracks run on 28+ volts over a 17.5 foot timed section.
most of those tracks also use a bar stock in the shut down replacing the rails to get the cars whoad.
they also wax the shut down to keep the tires from blistering when the motor stops turning but the car is still goin in excess of 80 MPH.
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Post by TGM2054 on Feb 21, 2012 21:29:42 GMT -7
Bondo's right. We ran this weekend with stock power packs from the AW Drag Race sets. One for each lane. After everything was done I got my T-jet Pro mod out and made a couple of passes. I was really dissappointed in the car, till I remembered it was set up to run on higher voltage and more amps. If I'd had more time I would have hooked up either my Tri powers or a 22V and seen what it would have done. Don't make the voltage a major issue, come out and have some fun. that what this is really about. Start out in the easier classes, I think they're more fun anyway. Thats why most of my cars are just slightly over stock, I can see them go down the track. If I wanted missles, I'd build Estes rockets.  |
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Post by charley on Feb 25, 2012 9:07:30 GMT -7
WOW!! That's a lot of info to absorb, but thanks to all that replied. Guess everyone is right, I just need to build and test with what I have available, and just see what happens. On one more note, I "thought" I had seen a post about cleaning an AW track with WD-40. Has anyone tried this? If so, what happened? If that's not working, what would you guy's suggest cleaning an AW track with?
Thanks,
Charley
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Post by Bananasmoothie1975 on Feb 26, 2012 4:59:21 GMT -7
I use Windex and cloth, then condition the rails using a little CRC 2.26 (blue can) or INOX on the pickup shoes.
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Post by pceng on Feb 26, 2012 16:30:58 GMT -7
Yea Charley, Best thing to do is jump right in and see where you stand. Don't let results get to you if you don't do well. My first race was a disaster. Couldn't understand results with either class until I got the cars back. They were all drowning in oil. I may have done this myself before sending cars in, or it could have been one of the track crew. Don't know, don't care. I'm in it for the fun as I think most are. Only now I'm really carefull about how much oil I use before cars leave. And hey, you might just win. Never know unless your there.
Think I saw that post about the WD-40 also. In fact got me thinking about problems with rails tarnishing. Can happen in a matter of hours here in FL. So I started using PB Blaster on rails. I think thats the name, penetrating oil in spray form. World of difference. Has definitly helped retard the tarnishing.
.................PC
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Post by nosubfor3 on Feb 26, 2012 17:30:35 GMT -7
WOW!! That's a lot of info to absorb, but thanks to all that replied. Guess everyone is right, I just need to build and test with what I have available, and just see what happens. On one more note, I "thought" I had seen a post about cleaning an AW track with WD-40. Has anyone tried this? If so, what happened? If that's not working, what would you guy's suggest cleaning an AW track with? Thanks, Charley Charly I have been cleaning my Tomy AFX road course with WD-40 once a month for a whlie. It reconditions the plastic along with conditioning the rails to slow oxidation. I have had good luck useing it. I't is amazing how much crude gets into the pours of the plastic. I used to clean the track with 409. It did a good job but the WD works the best for me. |
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Post by kdog on Feb 27, 2012 15:33:29 GMT -7
I also believe in WD40 to clean stock plastic track, but my maxtrax warns not to use it. I use 409 on both my Maxtrax, & my Slotcars,inc tracks with good resualts.
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And, as far as I know, nobody is doing 28 volts! (unless I missed something?)
