Thanks for posting this, Tom! I figured there was a way to create something like this for an analog track, but hadn't really given it much thought. I'm in the process of building a new track and this idea will come in very handy. Keep up the great videos. 👍
Its unfortunate that you can't just buy the ends without destroying an actual controller but I have not been able to find just the ends anywhere. Good luck on your project.
@@tomsidener I don’t mind pulling a controller apart iv bought enough evolution sets so plenty spare for this project and I’m partial to repurposing components for other uses where possible, Thanks for posting this show through on your channel 🙏
Interesting idea. How does the resistance in ohms relate to the resistances normally given with controllers (e.g. Parma 15 ohms, 30 ohms, 45, 60, etc.). I assumed these Carrera controllers are about 60ohm.
Will the system work with the Evolution track and the 3 wire controllers that come with it? Where would the brake wire be soldered to, or is it not used?
I think the older version of evolution may have 3 wires (one possibly a brake) You can test across the 3 wires and see what combination losses resistance when the plunger is pressed those would be the 2 wires you want to use. You would not need the brake on a ghost car so that wire should be able to be ignored.
Great idea, I will be definitely making one of these ❤ You wouldn’t happen to know the resistance of the policar controller, would you? And what would happen if you used a different one, like a 5k, or a25k, I know absolutely nothing about electronics 😢
I just tested and it looks to be around 50 to 60 ohm. Here is a link to the Pots I purchased. I am going to try and do some testing with the 50 ohm in a few days. I will report my findings. Potentiometer Kit B5K 10K 20K 50K 100K Ohm (Amazon Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3TNylmP
I found a link to this article. It has some calculations that may help with this issue. www.quora.com/What-is-the-maximum-voltage-I-can-give-to-a-10k-potentiometer#:~:text=The%20maximum%20voltage%20is%20limited,across%20the%20full%2010000%20ohms.
I do not have an AFX track but I looked it up and it looks like they have very high voltage. My track is 14 volts max. You may need a bigger potentiometer. From the internet Modern AFX and Tyco slot car motors require a power supply producing 18 to 20 volts of direct current (VDC), while older Model Motoring cars require 20 to 24 VDC.
@tomsidener Ok, im using a variable voltage power source. I can go from 0 to 30 watts. Ill turn down the power and try again. Thank you so much for your help. Much appreciated!
@nobodyshome758. This little device works great on my Carrera evolution and my Grandsons Carrera Go but I tried to build something similar for my new Policar analog track and I am having the same issues as you. The potentiometers are getting overloaded and burning out. I am currently experimenting with PWM (pulse width modulators) and Rheostats and I will make a new video if I get something working.
Thanks for posting this, Tom! I figured there was a way to create something like this for an analog track, but hadn't really given it much thought. I'm in the process of building a new track and this idea will come in very handy. Keep up the great videos. 👍
Glad I could help!
Yankee ingenuity , I love it. what a grandpa, great job.
Thanks!!
Even though i have a digital layout that is a cool project
Thanks!!!
thats brilliant idea, i got straight onto ebay to try this
Its unfortunate that you can't just buy the ends without destroying an actual controller but I have not been able to find just the ends anywhere. Good luck on your project.
@@tomsidener I don’t mind pulling a controller apart iv bought enough evolution sets so plenty spare for this project and I’m partial to repurposing components for other uses where possible, Thanks for posting this show through on your channel 🙏
@@tomsidener done it Tom thanks for the time and effort you took to work all that out 🙏
Your very welcome
Probably burned out the pots and they are just connecting on the end plates.
Interesting idea. How does the resistance in ohms relate to the resistances normally given with controllers (e.g. Parma 15 ohms, 30 ohms, 45, 60, etc.). I assumed these Carrera controllers are about 60ohm.
The controllers at full resistance are 10k ohm
Will the system work with the Evolution track and the 3 wire controllers that come with it? Where would the brake wire be soldered to, or is it not used?
Iv done it on my Evolution Set today the controller only has two wires to sort out nice and easy 👌
I think the older version of evolution may have 3 wires (one possibly a brake) You can test across the 3 wires and see what combination losses resistance when the plunger is pressed those would be the 2 wires you want to use. You would not need the brake on a ghost car so that wire should be able to be ignored.
Great idea, I will be definitely making one of these ❤ You wouldn’t happen to know the resistance of the policar controller, would you? And what would happen if you used a different one, like a 5k, or a25k, I know absolutely nothing about electronics 😢
I will be testing that very soon and will report back.
I just tested and it looks to be around 50 to 60 ohm. Here is a link to the Pots I purchased. I am going to try and do some testing with the 50 ohm in a few days.
I will report my findings.
Potentiometer Kit B5K 10K 20K 50K 100K Ohm (Amazon Affiliate Link)
amzn.to/3TNylmP
@@tomsidener I ordered me a set, sorry I couldn’t use your link, I live in Germany, and that particular set is not available at the moment.
@@Madd_Dadd Not a problem at all. I just link to my account because I figure why not, but glad you were able to get some in Germany.
Hi Tom, just wondering if you tested out that potentiometer yet
Is there a wattage limit for these? I did this on my AFX track and the potentiometer keeps burning out. Why would it keep burning out. Any idea?
I found a link to this article. It has some calculations that may help with this issue. www.quora.com/What-is-the-maximum-voltage-I-can-give-to-a-10k-potentiometer#:~:text=The%20maximum%20voltage%20is%20limited,across%20the%20full%2010000%20ohms.
I do not have an AFX track but I looked it up and it looks like they have very high voltage. My track is 14 volts max. You may need a bigger potentiometer.
From the internet
Modern AFX and Tyco slot car motors require a power supply producing 18 to 20 volts of direct current (VDC), while older Model Motoring cars require 20 to 24 VDC.
@tomsidener Ok, im using a variable voltage power source. I can go from 0 to 30 watts. Ill turn down the power and try again. Thank you so much for your help. Much appreciated!
Your welcome. BTW Go Wolverines!
@nobodyshome758. This little device works great on my Carrera evolution and my Grandsons Carrera Go but I tried to build something similar for my new Policar analog track and I am having the same issues as you. The potentiometers are getting overloaded and burning out. I am currently experimenting with PWM (pulse width modulators) and Rheostats and I will make a new video if I get something working.