Track too fast
I've been tuning my new layout for smooth operation, but now find that one section is simply too fast. Cars come out of a highbank curve so fast that they fly off the next element which is a 27" diameter drift pad. I've run out of elevation adjustment, so I'm now trying to figure out how to brake all cars within 30" of straight open track. Gonna start playing with some track surfacing, like tape or something. But if anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate some input. Thanks.
-Bruce
Discussion
Can you slow the cars before they get to the high bank? That might reduce the whip affect the high bank is giving the cars upon exit
- I've done that to some extent. The element just before the high bank is actually a jump (which I love), so slower speed means shorter jump. And when the jump is tuned smoothly, the cars just rocket through the highbank. Thus, my problem. Life is full of compromises. I guess I'm gonna have to do it again. — Bruce
- I see…the only thing I can suggest then is to move the elements around like Warwick mentioned below…maybe the drift pad needs to be relocated to a lower speed section or n order to have better control over how the cars run through it…ask Mark from Gravity Throttle Racing about his drift pad — Crazy_Canuck
The issue with drift turns (I spent a long time trying to get one to work on my new track) is the major differences in the cars speed, weight and weight distribution. I had it dialled in my bench tests but as soon as I put it on the track it was way too random.
I know some HW booster packs have a spring loaded barrier across the track, light enough that they drive through but strong enough that it takes the top speed off. You could try something like that. Only issue is if the cars are then not running fast they'll get stuck.
Depending on your programming and electrical skills, you could set up a speed trap controlled by an arduino that makes sure all cars are going at the same speed into the corner. But that's a major investment in time and planning.
The other option would be to move the drift to the start of the track, as you have more control over their speed then rather than once they've picked up momentum.
- Watched all your videos. Part of my inspiration to build. Much respect. — Bruce
- I'm havinf some of the same experiences as you. Built a drift pad on the bench which worked great with the cars I had. Put it on the layout and introduced new cars, and the results were exhasperating. I don't want to tune the track for the cars, but I am prpepared to tune the cars to perform better on the track, short of adding a magnet to every car. I'm making progress with each adjustment, and I have to thank Russell Lanson for his adjustable track supports, without which I would have thrown up my hands a long time ago. I'll get there, with your help and others in this forum. — Bruce
I did start playing with an arduino activated gate, that would suddenly push a car sideways, to try and start a drift. The idea came from the HW drift track, where you put the car in sideways, hit the lever and it pushes it sideways for it to then straighten into a drift. Couldn't get it to work how I wanted, but that may still have legs as an idea (at for someone better at electronics and programming than I am).
A device like that, which can also account for different entry speeds and you wouldn't have to attach anything to the cars to make it work.
I faced a similar problem with one corner accounting for the very fastest cars about 25%-30% of the time. (other cars were fine). Two things helped: Checking on a spirit level, I made sure the corner was uphill. This really did not take much, but an uphill corner really acts as a brake. The other method is to cheat a little and put a speed barrier there..... =)
I have wondered if a sheet metal drift corner would work.
I think the angle of it would have to be a bit extreme between entry and exit
shape, think more like the inside of a "fat fendered" car flom the late 30's
dr
Run a slight uphill to the drift pad,