Switching to Digital Track Up and Running!!! Update Again

[Scatman]

From Scalex to Carrera and to my current wood track, I’m thinking about pulling out my Carrera track and going digital. I’m definitely going with the digital to analog setup. I have way to many cars since 1999 to go only digital. So, based on what I have read so far, there’s a lot of options to make digital worth giving it a try. I really need help with making the right decision on my purchases. I would like to have the ultimate setup, so I’m asking for help. Also, l’m the only one who will be using the track, but I’m hoping I can get some friends to join. My current table is 16x8, so if anyone would like to design a track, I would really appreciate it. I would probably put the lane changing track in the wrong spots.

Thanks

[tracyridge]

i went digital 5 years ago... and still love it ,, closer to real racing. i went with carrera because my local hobby shop carried that brand.
the ultimate set up? then i would highly recommend integrating whatever brand you choose { scaley ,carrera} into a wood track.
assuming, from your picture, that you have the tools and skills to do it . just my 2 cents

john

[Barc 1]

Why not just make the current track digital? Router in a couple of lane changes to the current track and then use the Carrera components to go digital. That is what I am doing. I built my own lane changers cutting them out from aluminum plate., but you could probably bash a Carrera lane changer to work.

I have been running a digital / analog set up for a few years now. Honestly the digital doesn’t get used that much as my current track is not large and running multiple cars is a goat rodeo on it. However as I only routed a two lane track, the digital option allows multiple drivers when they are around. I only have one lane change combo in it. I placed going into tight corner where the lanes are squeezed just before an uphill acceleration point onto the back straight. The mate to it is on the other side of the corner and is in the acceleration section just as the lane spacing widens. This keeps the digital simple, and allows multiple drivers.

i also use Carrera chips to power each lane when running analog.

There are tutorials on how to do the electrical isolation between analog and digital. In is final configuration, all I have to do is remove all the analog cars from the track, and flip a switch to get the track to digital mode. I only have six cars with chips in them so the car selection really drops off .

As my new track was routed with 1/24 in mind, I may chip a few of my old Cox cars and bring them up to date. I think the new track with 3 or 4 vintage chipped racers would be fun

[SlotCat]

There are the instructions to convert from digital to analog and back?

[Gipper]

I am in the same boat considering adding digital to my Scalextric Sport track. I am considering adding an Arc Pro power base to start with. It would provide wireless controllers which I like the idea of and can be changed from digital to analog with the flip of a switch. Then add lane changers as the budget allows. And since we are not competition racers around here the Arc App on the phone would eliminathe the need for the computer and offers alot if options for racing.
If I could afford it I would love to go with Carrera as they sell digital cars at the same cost as regular scalextric cars but if I read correctly it is not as easy to go from digital to analog with the Carrera set up (might be wrong on this). From the poking around I have done it looks like around $20 on average to make a Scalextric car digital so a new scalextric digital car would be around $65 where a new Carrera would be $45. Alot if options for sure.

[Fathead59]

I plan on building a Scaletrix digital set up , it uses chips that are removable . So all you would need is 6 chips and 6 controllers

[Fathead59]

Pick a car , grab a chip and controller , and off you go

[docdoom]

well they both have there plus and minus. the Carrera track is wider and stiffer than the Scalextric Sport track. but you can get more track length in the same given space than you can with Carrera track. I think the Scalextric chips are smaller and easy to chip a car, and the new dpr is a fast improvement over the ones just a few years ago.

[32lbking]

Tony, as to Carrera lane changer location, a general rule is at least 1 full straight between coming off of a curve before the LC to allow the car to straighten out from drifting so as to trigger the LC sensor. You can get away with less if it is a slower section of track.
And try not to have an LC under an overpass so that it is visible to all drivers.
Also, if coming off or going onto a banked curve, be sure to allow enough distance after or before the curve for the LC sections to lay flat. If they don't, at least be sure that both pieces are flat relative to each other [no twist, or dip in the middle].
Randy

[Scatman]

I took the plunge. Today I ordered the 1/24 Double Victory set with a lot of other digital track sections, and I went ahead and bought the CU with the analog switch. I didn’t want to do the modifications so I splurged. I also purchased another power supply, my current one stops at 15v. So, with all the stored Carrera track I have in storage, demolition begins Monday on my wood track. Garbage picks up Tuesday so why not. I’m also looking forward to playing with 1/24 cars, something different.

Open task, type of controller. Cordless vs wired, and brand. I do have Slot-it controllers so I bought what I need to configure one to test. Inputs appreciated.



Thanks to everyones input.

[WB2]

What’s this “CU with the analog switch” you mention?

[SlotCat]

I'm probably buying one of these too, very sweet can switch between digital and analog with the flip of a switch!

Tek-Slots DualMode SwitchBox - Carrera Digital to Analog 124/132

https://www.carreraslots.com/slot-car/TS34486.html

[Fourshipp]

Interesting. I read the link to Tek Slots dual mode switch box and was disappointed to read they say it is not compatible with lane gates. Has anyone tried to run this box with lane gates?

Thanks.

[Fourshipp]

We are running Carrera 124 digital. All cars are magless. Paul Gage urethanes (get the hard compound) and a tire lathe and you’ll be happy. I’ve run 8 ghost cars at once 👍.

two words...lane gates. They made all the difference in reducing if not eliminating crashes at the lane changes. A must have if you plan on running multiple ghost cars.

have fun!

[Scatman]

We are running Carrera 124 digital. All cars are magless. Paul Gage urethanes (get the hard compound) and a tire lathe and you’ll be happy. I’ve run 8 ghost cars at once 👍.

two words...lane gates. They made all the difference in reducing if not eliminating crashes at the lane changes. A must have if you plan on running multiple ghost cars.

have fun!

Lane gates is definitely on my list.

[slothead]

What are lane gates? I 've never run digital and never heard of them, though I do know lane change crashes are an issue.

[Fourshipp]

http://www.digitalracingsolutions.com/lanegate.html

A wonderful invention from DRS. It’s a chip you add to your lane changes that detects a car in the other lane and prevents a lane change with a car along side.

[slothead]

Thank you, sounds like a great idea.

[Fathead59]

Are the lane gates only for Carrera , or do you need them for Scaletrix

[docdoom]

Carrera only