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Post by lasthobbypromise on Jun 10, 2021 11:21:20 GMT -7
I have spent the morning looking at posts on slowing these little bullets down, foam, boxes of foam, towels, old socks, glue, metal strips.and dynamic braking.
I see amazing looking tracks, starting grid, towers, grandstands, people etc, but the end of the track looks like there was no thought given at all.
What is the latest & greatest to stop these things? Or slow them way way down that doesn't look like something cobbled together from stuff laying around the garage.
As I am a visual guy pictures would be amazing. Thanks!
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Post by lasthobbypromise on Jun 10, 2021 13:28:47 GMT -7
Mine is definitely cobbled together, have good intentions of refining it but it works so . . . .
Years ago I acquired a box of hard drives and this foam surrounded them in the box. I cut the foam to fit my track and needs. I usually keep a weighted board on top of the foam but it was removed for the photos. It's approximately 6' from the finish line to the foam. The car shown did a .398 and went that far into the foam.
I like it, big points for creativity. W/the board on top, some paint and decals . . . hmmmm . . .  |
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Post by dave632 on Jun 10, 2021 16:15:02 GMT -7
Here is my shutdown setup: Starting with 3' of dynamic braking, (track simply shorted together so the cars motor acts as a generator). Then 3' of steel stop strips, this will stop most cars. Finally the catch box loaded with foam like GTS has. If it gets past that Gort from the day the earth stood still, standing in the middle of the catch box, zaps your car into dust. I also put a towel in front of the catch box when the Super cars are running. I have stopped many 60+ MPH cars with this setup with only some occasional body damage.  Finish line Shutdown 3' dynamic braking
 Steel stop strips
 Catch box
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Post by lasthobbypromise on Jun 10, 2021 18:02:43 GMT -7
Here is my shutdown setup: Starting with 3' of dynamic braking, (track simply shorted together so the cars motor acts as a generator). Then 3' of steel stop strips, this will stop most cars. Finally the catch box loaded with foam like GTS has. If it gets past that Gort from the day the earth stood still, standing in the middle of the catch box, zaps your car into dust. I also put a towel in front of the catch box when the Super cars are running. I have stopped many 60+ MPH cars with this setup with only some occasional body damage. Finish line Shutdown 3' dynamic brakingSteel stop stripsCatch box
I keep hearing about "shorting the track" but I am at a loss as to what that looks like or how it's done. I knew that was GORT as soon as I saw it. "klaatu barada nikto" One of the great SciFi movies. |
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Post by crazynski on Jun 10, 2021 18:32:32 GMT -7
Hello LHP,
You add a loop to the very end track that joins both rails for each individual lane. That short circuit creates braking to a motor already in motion. But first you must make sure that the shut down area is totally isolated from the power.
Ken
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Post by lasthobbypromise on Jun 10, 2021 19:55:51 GMT -7
As i am a visual learner is it possible to see a picture or a schematic? Where is the power coming from if its isolated from the main power. Sorry to be so dense
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Post by crazynski on Jun 11, 2021 2:23:18 GMT -7
Hello LHP,
The entire shut down section is not powered. Every electric motor is a generator of sorts. A slot car in motion will create it's own braking if you short-circuit the rails. I will attempt to make a sketch after breakfast. My drawing skills suck.
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Post by dave632 on Jun 11, 2021 6:48:21 GMT -7
This is the finish of the powered section of my track. Note the separation between the rails after the finish stripe. That is where the powered section ends and the shorted rails begin. I ran a jumper to the end of the rails at the end of the non powered side. Gort is watching!   Track separation. |
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Post by crazynski on Jun 11, 2021 11:26:48 GMT -7
Hi LHP,
The first question I should have asked. Do you have return lanes on your strip?
There is a way to have dynamic braking and powered return lanes. It takes some fiddling around. Let us know?
Ken
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Post by lasthobbypromise on Jun 11, 2021 14:28:46 GMT -7
Hi LHP, The first question I should have asked. Do you have return lanes on your strip? There is a way to have dynamic braking and powered return lanes. It takes some fiddling around. Let us know? Ken Ken, no room for return lane. I have about 32" of shut down track and a couple hit the bubble wrap hard. Gotta find a way to get more on my permanent track. |
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Post by lasthobbypromise on Jun 11, 2021 14:30:13 GMT -7
Hello LHP, The entire shut down section is not powered. Every electric motor is a generator of sorts. A slot car in motion will create it's own braking if you short-circuit the rails. I will attempt to make a sketch after breakfast. My drawing skills suck. That would be a huge help. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2021 17:05:34 GMT -7
Hi LHP, The first question I should have asked. Do you have return lanes on your strip? There is a way to have dynamic braking and powered return lanes. It takes some fiddling around. Let us know? Ken Ken, no room for return lane. I have about 32" of shut down track and a couple hit the bubble wrap hard. Gotta find a way to get more on my permanent track. what distance are you running from start to finish? |
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Post by lasthobbypromise on Jun 11, 2021 18:10:34 GMT -7
Ken, no room for return lane. I have about 32" of shut down track and a couple hit the bubble wrap hard. Gotta find a way to get more on my permanent track. what distance are you running from start to finish? !/8 mile - 10' 3 3/4" + the 32" shutdown. Could you how me a picture of how you wired your track? |
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Post by lasthobbypromise on Jun 11, 2021 20:22:45 GMT -7
Just a thought, what about one of those big magnets they fish with under the track. I have one that has a 1200lb shear force.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2021 20:45:22 GMT -7
depends on polarity?
some cars will repel from that instead of trying to stick to it.
which is why I use steel in my shut down.
even if it looks cobble from garage trash or is in any other way unattractive
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