I've been searching and reading different solutions to dampen the start gate. Are there any new suggestions or feedback on what has been tried. Thanks in advance
Start gate slam
- Thread starter Peerless Racing
- Start date
One thing you might want to review is Bracket Racers modification to the Best Tracks trip handle found on this site. I have a single lane test track and have found a solenoid trip switch just puts too much vibration onto the track. On a multilane track it's probably good to go, but for a single lane not so good. You may want to get with BsB, Bill Groner, about the gate release he builds. I purchased one and have found much more consistent runs from my cars. Also J and J racing can give you a few ideas on making your gate operate much smoother.
May be of interest...I added rubber grommets to the bolts that hold the plate and actuator to the track, and the actuator to the bracket. It seems to help with the impact of the solenoid bottoming out on activation.
Cool, it's not my track so I'll see if I can convince them they need electronic start. It's really the slam of the gate I'm worried about, I found a post on using the ear plug foam but wanted to know what else has been done
I have the gate made by BSB and there is absolutely no shock. I found my run times were so much more consistent.
Really makes tuning your car more meaningful.
Really makes tuning your car more meaningful.
HurriCrane Racing said:
+1...I picked up one of BSB's gate a few months ago. It's really helped my tuning. Delivers super smooth starts and consistent times.
The gate slam, in my opinion, comes from the amount of force needed to release the gate from all the spring tension. Once you relieve all the force needed to open the gate you can back off the spring tension in the gate. I've got a gate that releases with very minimal force and with light spring tension, so there is next to no gate slam vibrations sent through the track. Added a bearing release and Teflon strips in the right places. Silky smooth operation.
J and J suggested using Ice Hockey knee pad foam to reduce the shock created by the solenoid. As I said I purchased the start gate assembly from BsB so I never tried the foam, but J and J says it works for sure. If you would like I can send you the foam John sent me. Just pay for the shipping.
For my track I got some 3/8 X 1/2 inch door and window sponge rubber weatherstrip from Home Depot. I took my curl bar and put 55 pounds (flat bottom weights so they don't roll) on each side of the bar under the start gate and ran two ratchet straps (one to each end of the curl bar so the curl bar) and secured it so there was just a little tension on the straps to some hooks on the main support. This solved any movement that I had previously, but my biceps seem to be suffering from the arrangement. /images/boards/smilies/frown.gif
Thanks to all on the info. I found a great post from Owens that goes over a lot of my questions to.
We found we had the same problem and it affected our timer dramatically. Sometimes with variances of .25 seconds due to rebound. At that time we had a wooden track with Grand Prix software and Fastrack timing system. Micro switches were used to begin timing.
We upgraded to solenoid gates and had a huge improvement from the hand operated gate system. I highly recommend calling John and asking him about THE JUDGE STARTING SYSTEMS and ask him about his solenoid gate system. HE IS SUPER HELPFUL,
Tips he gave me include :
PWD. Start gate. The judge.
Mount rear pylons at least 3" farther forward.
Use lighter start gate and pegs
3/4" x 1-1/4 wood. About 13" long. Cut 1/4" dowels to fit. Or use 1x1-1/2" hinge from Home Depot. Blister pack. 2.99/pair in blister pack. Don't use coned screw, use pan head screws and let hinge (steel not brass)float. Use a flat small washer between hinge and wood to reduce washer. Maybe use . Or use an aluminum bar or angle for start bar.
May need to polish copper contacts on micro switches. Change
Magnetic switches may be better options for starter. Normally opened switch. Magnet goes on moving peg bar.
Dampen back of starter bar with a shock absorption material to absorb shock/rebound from gate opening.
Cut dowels down if necessaryz
We upgraded to solenoid gates and had a huge improvement from the hand operated gate system. I highly recommend calling John and asking him about THE JUDGE STARTING SYSTEMS and ask him about his solenoid gate system. HE IS SUPER HELPFUL,
Tips he gave me include :
PWD. Start gate. The judge.
Mount rear pylons at least 3" farther forward.
Use lighter start gate and pegs
3/4" x 1-1/4 wood. About 13" long. Cut 1/4" dowels to fit. Or use 1x1-1/2" hinge from Home Depot. Blister pack. 2.99/pair in blister pack. Don't use coned screw, use pan head screws and let hinge (steel not brass)float. Use a flat small washer between hinge and wood to reduce washer. Maybe use . Or use an aluminum bar or angle for start bar.
May need to polish copper contacts on micro switches. Change
Magnetic switches may be better options for starter. Normally opened switch. Magnet goes on moving peg bar.
Dampen back of starter bar with a shock absorption material to absorb shock/rebound from gate opening.
Cut dowels down if necessaryz
G
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I would like to see a pic of the BSB start gate. I googled BSB, and Bill Groner and found nothing. Where do i get one of these if i wanted one.
I've got Bill's video of his gate in operation. Send me a PM with your email address if you'd like to see it. I think right now he hasn't any of his gates available and he is super busy with his regular job. That's not to say he won't be building any, but he has to work on them when he has the time.
One thing I did to my gate that goes along with what GX said. I noticed that the knuckles of the gate hinge were rubbing on the underside of the track deck. I slipped thin 1/4" washers between the gate hinge and the track deck. If I have the springs off my gate and just give it a flick, the gate rocks back and forth freely with no binding. This lets you back off a bit on the spring tension. I shortened the pins about an inch as well. Adding some weight to the leg braces like Skippy said helped too, mainly by keeping the track in place if it gets bumped into. I just laid the weight plates on the diagonal supports without the curl bar in case I want to exercise ever.
bracketracer said:
Yes, you can also use a beer cooler to hold down the hill portion too. Like we did for the 2013 nationals.
Rocket car said:Yes, you can also use a beer cooler to hold down the hill portion too. Like we did for the 2013 nationals.
I've seen that live and in action. Although, Brain was chomping at the bit, to get after the contents of the cooler. Only deterred, he and I shared a fine toast after the racing was all done.
