Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (Page 5 of 8)

Experience is one heck of a teacher.

Hey Doc, have you heard Bill's story about melting track with overhead timing lights?

Ok, ok.....years ago I built an 8 lane Aurora Thunderjet plastic track. I purchased an 8 lane timing system from Trackmate and decided to try the light sensor system. I built an overhead gantry to house lights placed over the sensors. Evidently the lights I used in the gantry provided too much heat...............

Honest Doc, they were small.......but evidently they got hot enough!

I haven't posted an update for awhile so here it is. I've been working on the track most every day, mostly on painting. The track surface is painted, color sanded, and ready for the braid to be laid. The driver's stations are built and have three coats of white base color on them. Today I applied the first coats of color to the driver's stations to identify which lanes each serves. I also remounted the electrical track control center that houses all the relays and connections for the lap counting system.

COLOR!....Something other than tan or white!

As a track owner I DO NOT like having problems or issues during a race! It can happen but what makes it even worse is having to crawl around under the track trying to figure out the source of the problem. With the track controls mounted here with easy access, it will make performing any necessary diagnostics much easier! I am planning to redo/redesign all the electrical connections and hardware that connects the wiring to the track braid and controller hookups. Part of the plan is to use fewer nuts, bolts, and screws!

Well that explains  all the yellow and orange cars you own...

Here's a closer look at the hook-ups. Thanks to Beau for the cool discs for correct controller wire connection.

I get questions about how to connect the controller alligator clips on these hook-ups. Here's a photo of the clips connected with the boots pulled back:

The hook-ups work fine even with the boots in place.

those look great Bill, but I still think Jeff could hook up to them wrong still.... think you need to add some braille and flashing lights...

Thanks Doc.