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Post by *5 J's* on Apr 27, 2011 9:46:28 GMT -6
And to think they always told me I would go blind from it. Ian I know huh. And all those years of exercising caution, just to be sure...
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Post by *5 J's* on Apr 27, 2011 9:27:40 GMT -6
5J's, can you send me your schematics or link to them please? I hope to order my track this week and was going to make my own release gate. I had in mind the solenoid but i'm familer with door lock actuators also (I worked in car audio & security for 10 years:). I have seen one set up with an solenoid but never a actuator. The part that worried me was modifying the gate piece, judge has info on what you need to do, but you only get one chance so that scared me a little. I plan on running mine with a cord and handheld switch as my release will be against the wall or completely removed. I'm not sure you would have to mod if you use a door actuator as it has a good strong pull. Here is a link to the schematics. Note that this is the unit I built for my test track. The one for the Pack uses the door actuator. The electronics are the same just substitute the door actuator for the solenoid. The door actuator is much longer so I needed a larger bracket (aluminum angle). I also integrated the start switch that triggers the timer onto this bracket. Read the entire post including this post which has some info on mounting the transistor. You will not need all the parts listed such as the elbow latches and strike paltes if installing on a besttrack. If you have any questions feel free to PM.
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Post by *5 J's* on Apr 27, 2011 9:10:42 GMT -6
It looks very electrical.. not my strong point. I am willing to pay for something quick and easy and focus on building cars. I must be a pinewood nerd because I can remember like 90% of the posts on every board but I forget to take out the trash every Friday. lol - I know what you mean about taking out the trash. My wife has to send me my to-do list nearly daily or I'll forget. The electronics for the solenoid start gate aren't too bad. I'm pretty sure you could handle it - but I also understand that it would take time and focus away from building a car. Which reminds me - I need to rebuild my Limiteds - I have tried a bunch of things but cannot seem to get better then 2.939 or so....
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Post by *5 J's* on Apr 27, 2011 8:22:47 GMT -6
I wouldn't use the start button on the unit and I don't care what it looks like because I can't even see it. My start lever is against the wall... I would always use the remote hand held switch.... I trigger mine through the GPRM software via RS-232, but also have a remote start button built in that I could use as well.
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Post by *5 J's* on Apr 27, 2011 8:20:43 GMT -6
Does anybody have one of these? I need a solenoid start and I should just build one but I feel lazy and I have too many cars to build.... $170 ESS or $120 Judge? 5kids - If you ever decide to build one I have schematics and parts list. Instead of the solenoid I recommend a door lock actuator which you can buy for $5.50. I have made two solenoid start gates; one with a solenoid and one with the actuator. The actuator has more power and a longer travel making it much simpler to align - and the price is much better.
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Post by *5 J's* on Apr 26, 2011 18:41:16 GMT -6
huh - It's funny you mention that BSB. Being left handed I started building all of my cars left DFW. It was really odd to swap to right DFW - my mind couldn't really adapt. Now I have built some 4 on the floor cars that end up being left DFW - and it's hard to swap back. When tuning it's just hard to visualize...
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Post by *5 J's* on Apr 26, 2011 9:55:49 GMT -6
Hi W!
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Post by *5 J's* on Apr 26, 2011 5:33:01 GMT -6
Ahh - nice hint downslope. Actually picture above is of Lemon-Lime1 which was for the Cabin Fever Classic race which required four wheels. I run Lemon-Lime2 in Limited. Below is the picture and as you can see it has the fin vice a wheel for the NDFW.
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Post by *5 J's* on Apr 25, 2011 12:15:18 GMT -6
My name is Jeff Burnham and I too am an addict.... I am a Test and Evaluation engineer working for the US Navy on Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers (DDG-51 class). Been building and testing these ships in excess of 20 years. Anyway, my Pinewood Derby career started back 1975. The car was beautiful - kind of a high gloss black Trans-Am. I drilled a 1" hole in the bottom of the car and put a screw in the center then melted lead into the hole to bring the weight up to 5.00 ounces. Boy was I ready to show the rest of the scouts how to build a winning car - problem was the screw rubbed on the old wooden track. Made it to the finish line - but no where near the fastest - so let's skip to the future... Three years ago my son and I built his first Pinewood Derby car when he was a Tiger Scout. Our Den leader had given my son a copy of David Meade's book for Christmas. After reading this book - I knew there was much more to learn about PWD and soon after joined DerbyTalk to gather more info. That year my son placed first in Pack and twelfth in District. While an active member of DerbyTalk I became aware of the other forums on the ProBoards as well as proxy racing - but I still felt I wasn't ready for League racing. As a Wolf my son again placed first in Pack and fourth in District. This season I built a few cars to send in to PWDR. One uses purchased wheels and axles, while one is running wheels and axles that I prepped myself. They are both running consistent, that is consistently middle of the pack. I'm having fun and continue to try to figure out ways to pick up a few thousandths... Would be great to find a hundredth or two This year my son again finished first in Pack and Fifth at Districts. He hurried his staging a couple of times and he had a couple of off runs. So why 5 J's? Well I four children all starting with J's and well as myself. <one 'J' was stillborn however>. All my children, daughter included, like to race. At a Pack fund raiser race last month Team 5 J's took 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Best of Show. Below is the picture of the winning team with their trophies and the cars below that. My elder son had a couple more years of scout racing as a Web, and I my youngest will be a Tiger the year after next - so I still have a few years of scout racing. By then I may be a full fledged proxy addict I really wish there were more people in Maine or even New England into Pinewood racing. I have built my own test track - but it doesn't replicate the aluminum tracks very well, but it's helps in tuning the cars, and the kiddies have fun racing on it. I haven't purchased any Pinewood specific tools - but I am thinking I need a lathe if I ever want to even think of threatening the front runners ;D Hope to join you all at the front soon... The kiddies The kiddies 2011 cars and my "News Van" Limited league car - Lemon Lime
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