801 Reply by wb0s

(6 replies, posted in Track)

As Monte knows very well I am NO computer guy. But I still think there may be issues caused by supply voltage to the relays used to control track power. The reason I still believe that is I first encountered this power off issue on a relay controlled track around 1998 or so. On that track I believe the voltage issue was caused by poor electrical connections. But still the relay was dropping out due to low input voltage.

I ran Race Coordinator on my track in Fairview for a few years and never experienced any of the "power off" issues. My track was equipped with the Trackmate hardware wired through a serial port. I now have this same set up on the Checkered Flag four lane 1/24 track, using a different computer, and as of this date I have not experienced any problems running Race Coordinator on this track either. I don't question the serial port diagnosis because I don't understand all that computer stuff anyway, however I still think it is a good idea to diagnose the relay's operation to at least eliminate that as a possible problem.

Monte: " If only the stop and go boxes that went to the track at the Museum of Speed would resurface." Yesterday Jeff Fields said the Museum Of Speed track went to another car museum, I believe he said in Salem. Jeff said they contacted him because they are having "electrical problems" with it.........

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802 Reply by wb0s

(12 replies, posted in Springwater Raceway)

Classic NASCAR you say.....I put this body together and painted it sometime around 1986 when this body style was the "current" NASCAR body style. I was racing with the PASER club at Lee Dundas' barn at that time. It was mounted on the second scratchbuilt chassis I had ever built, powered by a 36D motor. It was basically just a flat brass pan, like a big Womp, and it handled like a big Womp......I never won with it, or even placed well. I hope that might change this Saturday!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6415CN.jpg

Go to forum: Springwater Raceway

803 Reply by wb0s

(6 replies, posted in Track)

We had the random power off issue at Howie's when we first switched his DOS computer system running SRT to a newer PC running Race Coordinator. Some testing indicated to me the relay we were using for track power was dropping out due to margin voltage at the relay coil connections. This applied voltage from the computer would fluctuate and the relay would drop out. We fixed that issue by installing older Trackmate system hardware. The Trackmate board includes a relay with a separate power supply that is used to power the track relay. Howie's system has worked perfectly since.

Recently Bob Nakamura's track experienced a random power off issue using a newer Trackmate system. Bart Ouchida did some diagnostic work on Bob's track and determined the small wall pack style power supply that comes with the Trackmate hardware was not putting out sufficient voltage to keep the replay powered up. Bob called Trackmate and they decided the power supply was defective.

Here is the data Bart obtained through testing:

30 amp relay - Switch on @ 6.9 volts. Switch off @ 4.2 volts. Coil = 82 ohms. Coil current draw = 70 ma.

80 amp relay - Switch on @ 6.3 volts. Switch off @ 5.0 volts. Coil = 46 ohms. Coil current draw = 180 ma.

In my years and experience with the gas company we commonly worked on pilot light safety systems which worked with low voltage electromagnets. In that industry we commonly referred to the voltage required to energize the coil in the electromagnet as the "pick" voltage. This is the required voltage for the electromagnet to do work (in the gas industry the electromagnet holds a small flap open over a port. In the case of a relay the electromagnet holds the contact points closed or open depending on the relays function). This "pick" operation takes more voltage/current than it takes to "hold" the the operation in place (hold the flap in place in the gas industry, or hold the contacts closed on a relay). The switch off voltage is the minimum voltage it takes to "hold" or maintain the electromagnet's operation. If voltage drops below this minimum the electromagnet will not maintain its hold on the relay contacts and they will open (or in the case of a normally closed relay, the contacts close). I still believe this can be an issue with computer controlled race systems.

I believe one common problem with the track relays dropping out is minimal voltage to the relay coil contacts. Any slight voltage fluctuation can cause the relay to drop out shutting the track power off.

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804 Reply by wb0s

(15 replies, posted in For Sale or Trade)

Let me break this down....1/24 cars....able to run circles around most all 1/32 cars on my track, Bob's track, and Howie's track............for less than you can buy a Scalextric, Fly, or Carrera car.......all of which would require an additional $40 to be just decent runners!

This IS a no brainer!!!!

Go to forum: For Sale or Trade

805 Reply by wb0s

(15 replies, posted in For Sale or Trade)

WOW! These are great cars at a great price for anyone in need of a Can Am class car to race with Northwest True Scale Racers, PASER, or OSCAR!!!

Go to forum: For Sale or Trade

806 Reply by wb0s

(27 replies, posted in Penguin Point Raceway)

Give me some lead time and I can help move it.

I also have a trailer.

Go to forum: Penguin Point Raceway

807 Reply by wb0s

(23 replies, posted in NASTE)

OK, OK........

Classic Sportscar 1
Can Am
Trans Am
Le Mans

Go to forum: NASTE

808 Reply by wb0s

(140 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

You know my policy Doc, warranty is good until it's not!

Go to forum: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway

809 Reply by wb0s

(140 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

docdoom wrote:

roger boss and dont forget to vote..... and I would like to add
if your putting tire prep on your tires make sure you let it set up/dry for at least 30 min and wipe tire  before putting the car on the track. the tire should never be wet  when placing the car on the track.

Very good point Doc! Thanks!

Go to forum: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway

810 Reply by wb0s

(140 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

We will have a fresh track on Monday.

I spent some time cleaning the track today. There are a couple issues I need to address. First off we need to do a better job of monitoring our car's ground clearance. I found evidence of gears coming into contact with the track surface. It appears to be a clearance issue with spur gears on some sidewinder/anglewinder set ups. We need to take a look at some of the different cars Monday and establish a minimum required clearance for cars equipped with spur gears.

I am also asking racers to not sand car tires on the track surface, and to avoid doing excessive "burn outs" when cleaning their tires. There was evidence of a "burn out" from a smaller set of tires (probably 1/32 RTR) negatively affecting the track surface. Remember when you are heating up those rear tires you are also heating the track surface and paint. I plan to set up a "Test Station" for such activities.

Go to forum: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway

811 Topic by wb0s

(23 replies, posted in NASTE)

The time for planning the NASTE 2022 Point Series Championship is now!

We will be taking a vote for the classes to be raced for points. Please pick four from the list of classes below. Please respond to this post and place your votes in this Forum topic.

Vote for four from:
Classic Sportscar 1
Classic Sportscar2
GFX
PGE
GT-3
Can Am
Trans Am
Le Mans

Also, a suggestion has been made to allow racers to throw out one race during the season. We have done this in previous years in the NASTE championship. Each racer would be allowed to throw out one race score from any of their race finishes. It can be a race where the racer had difficulties, or just a plain bad race resulting in a low finish position, or a race the racer was unable to attend. If a racer attends all of the races, he or she would typically throw out their worst finish of any of the point races, keeping only their best finishes. This discussion will be brought up at the September 9th race and voted on? You can also comment here and submit your vote.

When the classes are decided Al will get a schedule written for next season.

Go to forum: NASTE

812 Reply by wb0s

(2,118 replies, posted in NASTE)

Race results from August 19th:

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0111RRR.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0112RRR.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0113RRR.jpg

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813 Reply by wb0s

(4 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

You're welcome Smooth! We are all grateful for all you do keeping our website up and running!

Go to forum: Slot Talk

814 Reply by wb0s

(2,118 replies, posted in NASTE)

Al told me he is working on the schedule.

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815 Reply by wb0s

(2,118 replies, posted in NASTE)

It would appear this dialog has ended, so I have updated the rules per the last comments submitted by the class sponsor Chris Kouba. His solution seemed to be the most logical in my opinion. If there is any disagreement, this is the place to voice your concerns.

The rules update for Class 15 - PGE is as follows: "Full-fendered sportscars from 1968 through 1980 which ran in FIA, IMSA, or SCCA sanctioned events, Can Am series cars are not eligible for this class."

"Can Am series cars are not eligible for this class." was added to the description.

Go to forum: NASTE

816 Reply by wb0s

(2,118 replies, posted in NASTE)

"the pge class  has become can am  dominated"

In my experience there will always be something that becomes the dominant style car or chassis (like the Ninco Corvettes in Classic I). Chris' suggestion would change the dominant cars from Can Am cars to possibly something "else" (maybe the Matra?).

I like the idea of the Can Am car exclusion since there is another class they can be raced in.

Go to forum: NASTE

817 Reply by wb0s

(19 replies, posted in Springwater Raceway)

Start line focus. L to R: John, Gary T., Bart, and Herb.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6195SR.jpg

Post race discussion. L to R: Rico, Gary T., Gary K. Foreground: Mitch & John.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6198SR.jpg

I had to throw this one in because it is the best photo I've ever gotten of Al! The sleeve says it all!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6200SR.jpg

Go to forum: Springwater Raceway

818 Reply by wb0s

(19 replies, posted in Springwater Raceway)

Racing action. Left to right: Herb turn marshalling along with Rico. John, Gearloose, Bob, and Gary at the controls. Mitch in the pits.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6184SR.jpg

Drivers changing lanes between heat races.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6189SR.jpg

Close finish in this heat race. L to R: Gary T., Rico, Bob, Bart, Al, Mitch, Herb.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6191SR.jpg

Total concentration for the start of the heat race. Four drivers L to R: Matt, Mitch, Bart, Al. I think Matt may have thrown in a little prayer before the flag dropped....
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6193SR.jpg

Go to forum: Springwater Raceway

819 Reply by wb0s

(19 replies, posted in Springwater Raceway)

I took a few pictures during the day.

Rippin' Ridin' Raceway track owner Al warming up before the race.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6167SR.jpg

Left to right: John, Mitch, and Rico getting in some pre-race practice laps.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6168SR.jpg

John planning his race strategy!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6171SR.jpg

Track owner and race host, Bob giving us pre-race instructions.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6175SR.jpg

Go to forum: Springwater Raceway

820 Reply by wb0s

(19 replies, posted in Springwater Raceway)

Yes, thank you Bob! It was a spectacular race with some really close battles, and a whole lotta fun!

Go to forum: Springwater Raceway

821 Reply by wb0s

(140 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

"are we allowed to solder in the rear  bushing on the womps????

Yes, you can solder in or glue in the rear bushings. I will update the rules.

Go to forum: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway

822 Reply by wb0s

(2,118 replies, posted in NASTE)

Race results from August 5th Odd Thursday Night racing:

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0102RRR.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_0105RRR.jpg

Go to forum: NASTE

823 Reply by wb0s

(2,118 replies, posted in NASTE)

Now who would do that Monte?..............never mind................

Very good point!

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824 Reply by wb0s

(2,118 replies, posted in NASTE)

Doc mentioned the above proposed rule change to the PGE Class here at ICFR on Monday. I'd like to give Chris Kouba the chance to weigh in on this since he is the Sponsor of this class.

Chris?

As I understand the proposal; the change would require closed cockpit body styles for the class (eliminate open cockpit type cars). The rules would require all cars to have roofs.

Is this the consensus?

Go to forum: NASTE

825 Topic by wb0s

(0 replies, posted in OSCAR)

The memorial service that was being planned for September 8th has been cancelled due to COVID 19 concerns. There are no plans at this time to reschedule.

Go to forum: OSCAR