New track ordered today!!!

B

Bullet

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15+ Pro Race Wins!
National Champion
Apr 15, 2013
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Well, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a new Best track and K3 timer today! Hope I can get it set up and running before the September race. I have a couple weeks to clean up the garage before it gets here. I will probably be hitting up a few of you guys for tips on rigging up a remote start gate.

I guess I am committed now...in with both feet. Sub-2.98 would be a good start this weekend!! lol
 
Congrats! What length did you go with, 35' or 42'?

If I could recommend something to you, order the bolt and bearing to do the Owens Mod before you put the track together the first time.
 
I got the 35', didn't quite have room for the 42'. If I move, I will get a house with the room and order the last section then. I will search the posts, but if you have some info on the Owens mod send it my way. I'm not too well versed on track mods at the moment. Thanks for the heads up!

Edit: found the Owens post

Anyone have any experience with the Micro Wizard auto gate release?
 
Thanks Kinser!

I'm excited to get this thing up and running as soon as I get it.

Got the parts already for the Owens mod.

I was researching the auto start gates similar to the ones I see some of the guys on here built and deciding if I want to build or buy. I liked the setups like QT's from his pictures, but I am weighing my time versus buying one. building a mount/housing, tracking down the parts, assembling, trying to get it to work. etc...would be a fun project, but I want this up and running asap!

So my question is this... if I decide to buy one, which of the purchased actuators does everyone like? I saw an older post from 5Kids saying he liked his GLB from New Directions, its only 120 bucks, made to fit Best tracks and can be actuated from remote or from GPRM. The ESS hits too hard and is 180 bucks? Just get the one from Micro Wizard with my timer and have them leave off the light tree part?

Any guidance anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated.../images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif
 
You might want to check out the new start gate BsB is building. I don't know the cost, but I've seen Bill's video and it's very smooth. John @ J and J Racing is using the manual start gate and after much trial & error has got it working very well. I think the trick is to shorten the start pin by an inch or so to eliminate any bounce back when activating the gate. Send either a PM and I'm sure they can give you some good advice.
 
I can tell you that the new gate that BSB is building is as smooth as a gate gets. Times are extremely consistent. /images/boards/smilies/wave.gif
 
Congrats on biting the "Bullet". Take your time in setting up the track and make sure the joints as smooth as you can get them. The Owens mod on the gate is the only way to go.
 
I will submit to you that you have a legal agreement drawn up, such that, after your future numerous forbidden rendezvous subsequently leading to your now impending divorce, you get the track.
 
I was trying to decide if I should divorce before the track purchase, or after.

If I just do before, I would have a track and no 401K...however, the longer I wait, the more 401K there is, and the shorter time I have to start over??? lol
 
texastornado said:
You might want to check out the new start gate BsB is building. I don't know the cost, but I've seen Bill's video and it's very smooth. John @ J and J Racing is using the manual start gate and after much trial & error has got it working very well. I think the trick is to shorten the start pin by an inch or so to eliminate any bounce back when activating the gate. Send either a PM and I'm sure they can give you some good advice.
Click to expand...

Shortening the pins helps because you can back off the spring tension a little. I tried backing off the tension first without shortening the pins and on a slo-mo replay you could see that the pins would bounce back high enough to rub the belly of the car. I forgot that I did that. It's a good mod too!
 
I thought I would share this start gate actuator I made over the weekend since I was pleased with the way it turned out. Its based on the 5js circuit from way back on here (and shared with me recently by Kinser).

Its actuated by a button on the box, a remote button on 40' cord, or the computer. The red light is a power indicator, the green light is a gate release button indicator. Its 12VDC and plugs in the wall. Now all I need is a track to put it on...lol!

IMG_0496_zps31a657bc.jpg


IMG_0497_zps3f00dca3.jpg


IMG_0498_zpsc45969ca.jpg


BTW, my wife was a little concerned about my intentions with this device when she saw me making this thing in my reloading room! ha!
 
Bullet-

Are you making an Isis devices???
lol
lol
I think she will relax when she sees it open the gate to your track...
blah
Awesome Build... Was it hard to do?
 
Papa V,

Not as bad as I thought, although, this chick working at the electronics store totally hooked me up with parts and advice. Put in on a proto-board and soldered it up. It turned out well so I went back after and added the lights just for fun! Track ships out on the 9th, hope I can get it up and running in time for a run or two before next months races.

TRE,
From what I hear, a lot of people drop speed when they get a track! My wheels will probably be nubs by race time if I get this thing up and running!

Hurricrane,
Congratulations on the track decision...you will be the one to watch out for! A thou or two is hardly a butt-whoopin', you had me running scared! /images/boards/smilies/wink.gif
 
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