Laser start gate and remote start

[g.o.racing]

Any ideas on what derby dad is using on his track? We are having issues tuning our cars on our best track just because of the inconsistency of the starter. Between just 2 people manually starting the cars, my son and I are having a 2 one hundredth time differential with the same car and the same staging process on a 35 foot track. If he starts the car he is constantly getting 2.43's when I start it even if he stages it I am getting 2.45's. Its driving us nuts!

we are having enough problems tuning our cars without this variable being thrown into the mix! And I don't want to have to call my son up to come over every time I want to tune a car!

 

[5KidsRacing]

I had the same problem before I got my electric starter, I have a New Directions starter, very consistent and works great.

http://www.newdirections.ws/glb.htm

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

I am using the ESS with a different power supply. The power supply fixed the weird problem of slower times using the remote start. You can also build a custom starting system for a bit less money. I rigged up the laser so it is tripped on the bottom of the track when the gate releases. The start handle and everything is under the track. I like the laser much better than the micro switch that comes standard.

 

[bracketracer]

I used the DIY version from here: http://www.miscjunk.org/mj/downloads/pdt_schematics.pdf

I'm also using the PDT and GPRM, so if you're not you'll need a resistor to drop the voltage from the transformer down for the control side of the relay, swap in a higher rated relay, or eliminate the relay and use a 24v rated switch to run it stand-alone. No problems with consistency, my car from the June race showed a std dev of .002 for ten run groups.

 

[g.o.racing]

Thanx guys,

Thought i found a new prep speed gain only to find out my son (vizual raceing) pulls the start gate diffrent than i do. it was amazing the differance in time, more than i thought was possible.
we played with it over an hour and no matter what i did to duplicate the way he pulled the handle i could not duplicate the times.

 

[g.o.racing]

dd4h,
I think i remember you posting a diagram on your under the track set up or was it qt. that posted it?

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

I haven't posted that must have been QT pie.

 

[5KidsRacing]

Here's the link: http://www.pinewoodderbyonline.com/post/lazer-mounts-5747834?highlight=electric+start

QT's is down towards the bottom...

 

[g.o.racing]

Thank you 5 kids

 

[g.o.racing]

dd4h!!!!!
hey where was the warning label on your web site?
This hobby may become very addictive please proceed with caution.
Enter the chat rooms at your own risk!
things that go on here are not always as they seem.

thanks for all the help. you guys make it a very pleasant journey in the never ending quest for NEED MORE SPEED
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[Vizual Racing]

At least there is one thing I can do better than my dad in the pinewood derby world. Pull down a start gate!

 

[bracketracer]

g.o., did you try making a "ricochet" sound when you release the gate? That's what my kids do, it seems to help!

 

[Vizual Racing]

g.o., did you try making a "ricochet" sound when you release the gate? That's what my kids do, it seems to help!

Bracket, he tried everything! Sticking is tongue out, standing on one leg closing his left eye, and he farted. Still no go. He's just old and cant pull the gate like his young buck son!

 

[OTO Racing]

WOW ! Nice Vizual ! Don't leave your car for the fall series over there ! You may end up with your wheels super glued to your axles ! HaHaHa. We will find it ! All in due time GO all in due time !

 

[g.o.racing]

BKR,

thats to funny!!!!
but dose it help? i will try any thing.

 

[g.o.racing]

And for you OTO!!!!!

your car is still in the basement setting beside the track, i'm thinking maybe a few experiments is in order.

LOL

looking forward to next time,

 

[OTO Racing]

Oh ..... I have a few in mind don't worry !

 

[bracketracer]

g.o., did you try making a "ricochet" sound when you release the gate? That's what my kids do, it seems to help!

Bracket, he tried everything! Sticking is tongue out, standing on one leg closing his left eye, and he farted. Still no go. He's just old and cant pull the gate like his young buck son!

You know, I tried blowing on the back of the car when I released the gate but I NEVER would have thought to try farting on it! LOL!!!

 

[Skippy Kicky]

If I wanted to change my starting system to a bottom laser start like yours would the micro wizard laser convert for that, and would it work with the champ?

I am using the ESS with a different power supply. The power supply fixed the weird problem of slower times using the remote start. You can also build a custom starting system for a bit less money. I rigged up the laser so it is tripped on the bottom of the track when the gate releases. The start handle and everything is under the track. I like the laser much better than the micro switch that comes standard.

 

[Quicktimederby]

The laser gate will not work with the champ timer is what I have been told.