Polarity?

[Quickcars]

I recently purchased a large Carrera home set and wanted to upgrade the controllers so that I can run my vintage 1/24 cars. When I looked up the recommended Professor Motor electronic controllers, I saw that they come in - and + polarities. How do I know which to purchase for my home set?

Thanks in advance,

Paul

[Slot Car Corner]

Hello Paul,

If you plan to use the stock Carrera powerbase, you'll need controllers designed for negative polarity. You have a couple of general options:

1) Use a resistor based controller which is polarity independent and will work with tracks wired for positive or negative polarity. Examples - PMTR2135 or PMTR2145. Note these controllers have the special Carrera leads for the stock powerbase.

2) Use an electronic controller (e.g. diodes) which is polarity dependent. If you go this route, you'll need a negative polarity controller with the special Carrera leads to plug into the powebase. Example - PMTR2123.

Note: Some, but not all, electronic controllers will have a polarity reversing switch (or provision to switch a couple of wires to change polarity) that allows you to use them on tracks wired for positive or negative polarity. An example would be the Difalco DD301.

[BRS Hobbies]

They make several controllers that are plug and play with the stock Carrera terminal track. Look for the ones that have Carrera in the controller item title.

[Quickcars]

Just what I needed to know. Thanks!!!!

[HomeRacingWorld]

I'm gonna butt in...

Having a better controller is a great thing...but, the powerbase in question is only going to handle so many amps before it gets warm or worse.

So just me being me...careful with some of the motors out there that tend to draw quite a bit of current. Your controller might be rock solid...maybe even a good power supply. But as they say...only as strong as the weakest link.

Ok...buttin' out.

[Quickcars]

I'm gonna butt in...

Having a better controller is a great thing...but, the powerbase in question is only going to handle so many amps before it gets warm or worse.

So just me being me...careful with some of the motors out there that tend to draw quite a bit of current. Your controller might be rock solid...maybe even a good power supply. But as they say...only as strong as the weakest link.

Ok...buttin' out.

Thanks Harry. I always appreciate your input so... Butt Away! : )

[mattb]

Take the plunge and rewire for positive polarity, get a better power supply and two positive polarity controllers. Just my opinion. Easy to do

[Dodgefarmer]

You have a P.M.

Randy

[RichD]

The Carrera power supply is not likely to be large enough for vintage 1/24th car motors. I just connected a '60's vintage Gar-Vic car to a power supply and adjusted the voltage to 12. The car pulled 2.5 amps even though it was upside down, so it wasn't going any place. On the track it would use even more power. Possibly you could take a look at the nameplate on that Carrera power supply, if there is not an amp rating you can calculate that from the VA rating, just divide by the voltage output rating.
Here is an article on power supplies with recommendations based on actual track measurements. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r_m...ew?usp=sharing

[jaws]

I have a four lane Carrera track that uses the powerbase for connecting the track and power. I use a different power supply, Pyramid 6-15 volt - 25 amp. I have Professor Motor controllers, 2125, neg polarity, Carrera plug in. I also have the Difalco Neo controller, which can be used for Neg or Pos polarity by changing the wires on the controller. Professor motor makes an adapter so I can plug this controller into the power base also.

I have run Vintage cars on the track without any problems, power is good on the track. I have put copper tape to ensure even power flow.

Jim