69 replies to this topic

[Jim Difalco]

Jim,

 

#3 below has peeked my interest. I'm fine with color, handles, triggers and all the basic stuff, but I'm always interested on changes to the functionality of the controller, like what you mentioned with adding a pot. That said, can you explain (like I'm a 5 year old) on what exactly the current TC knob does versus what you plan on adding? I believe you're current traction control acts like a choke but has full throttle bypass built in and you can't shut it off.

 

here are some of my own thoughts.. have all the dials/pots have more impact. Right now when I adjust I can notice a change but perhaps not drastic enough. As not to mess people up maybe make it the 282 or something.. "more impactful pot control"

 

thanks,
Mike

 

 

Mike, adding a separate knob for choke means that you can adjust the TC function independent of just lowering the top speed of the car. Right now the TC knob slows all the wiper bands the same amount. Be it the first or last band. This lets you set the amount of sensitivity on the upper wiper bands so you can come out of the turn less violently and reduce de-slotting and fish tailing. As you dial in more TC the first band also slows so you always want to compensate by increasing the sensitivity knob to get the same starting voltage to the car. All you have to do to see the TC affect is put a car on the track, hold the wheels inn the air then turn the TC knob while the trigger is on the first band and the last band to see how it changes the motors RPM.

[Tmas]

I agree the longer handle is better and making an opening to clean the wiper. Maybe color coding the knobs for easy identification on the fly.

[Hot Slots]

I agree the longer handle is better and making an opening to clean the wiper. Maybe color coding the knobs for easy identification on the fly.

Get out the paint bottle and color your knobs. If you just memorize the knob there's no need for colors.

[vanges]

Excellent proposal Jim!!!

In addition to the Traction Control, and the power curve, there is an element that influences the handling: the force of the trigger spring.  

 

Add different spring hardness? 

 

Greetings from Argentina

[Jim Difalco]

 

Excellent proposal Jim!!!

In addition to the Traction Control, and the power curve, there is an element that influences the handling: the force of the trigger spring.  

 

Add different spring hardness? 

 

Greetings from Argentina

 

I will probably be adding a heavier spring in the future. When I used the Parma spring racers wanted a softer one. Now that I have been using a softer spring racers ask for a heavier one!

 

Here is a hint. Cut off one coil then bend the last one out 45 degrees to hook onto the spring post. Instant heavier spring. Anyone that has switched to my 2 finger trigger should probably use a stiffer spring to compensate for the extra lever length that makes it feel even softer.

[team burrito]

I believe you're current traction control acts like a choke but has full throttle bypass built in and you can't shut it off.

actually, you can shut off the full power relay. follow the full power contact on the PC board & cut the trace. clean off the protective coating off the traces & solder a wire to each trace. run the wires up to the knobs & install a SPST switch. solder the wires to the switch & insulate with shrink tubing. let me know if you need a picture.

[studentdriver]

Sorry I didn't reply sooner. Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like a good addition, "high band throttle control". I might be interested!

 

thanks again,

Mike

 

 

 

Mike, adding a separate knob for choke means that you can adjust the TC function independent of just lowering the top speed of the car. Right now the TC knob slows all the wiper bands the same amount. Be it the first or last band. This lets you set the amount of sensitivity on the upper wiper bands so you can come out of the turn less violently and reduce de-slotting and fish tailing. As you dial in more TC the first band also slows so you always want to compensate by increasing the sensitivity knob to get the same starting voltage to the car. All you have to do to see the TC affect is put a car on the track, hold the wheels inn the air then turn the TC knob while the trigger is on the first band and the last band to see how it changes the motors RPM.

[studentdriver]

Cool, didn't know it would be as easy as this. That said I don't know if there is a class that I current run in that I would want to purposefully reduce top speed.. Also I might not be aware of a time that it would make sense to reduce top speed

 

Mike

 

 

actually, you can shut off the full power relay. follow the full power contact on the PC board & cut the trace. clean off the protective coating off the traces & solder a wire to each trace. run the wires up to the knobs & install a SPST switch. solder the wires to the switch & insulate with shrink tubing. let me know if you need a picture.

[vanges]

I will probably be adding a heavier spring in the future. When I used the Parma spring racers wanted a softer one. Now that I have been using a softer spring racers ask for a heavier one!

 

Here is a hint. Cut off one coil then bend the last one out 45 degrees to hook onto the spring post. Instant heavier spring. Anyone that has switched to my 2 finger trigger should probably use a stiffer spring to compensate for the extra lever length that makes it feel even softer.

 

Ok, Thank you

[Jim Difalco]

Cool, didn't know it would be as easy as this. That said I don't know if there is a class that I current run in that I would want to purposefully reduce top speed.. Also I might not be aware of a time that it would make sense to reduce top speed

 

Mike

 

actually, you can shut off the full power relay. follow the full power contact on the PC board & cut the trace. clean off the protective coating off the traces & solder a wire to each trace. run the wires up to the knobs & install a SPST switch. solder the wires to the switch & insulate with shrink tubing. let me know if you need a picture.

 

 

Wait a minute here. Do not cut any traces. Simply take the orange wire from my gray cable and run it to one side of a switch and run the other side of the switch to the original orange wire location.

 

Shutting off the relay also means you will need a fan! Transistors stop producing heat when the relay is on so overheating the transistors is likely to be the result without adding cooling.

[team burrito]

Wait a minute here. Do not cut any traces. Simply take the orange wire from my gray cable and run it to one side of a switch and run the other side of the switch to the original orange wire location.

that's way easier - thanks jim.

[JerseyJohn]

Hello Jim. question ? how many amps or milliamps does a brake circuit draw . it Probably varies depending on which motor you're using but I'm looking at the CR102 in particular thank you very much best regards JJ

[BARacer]

I'm a few thousand miles away, and out of reach, so how about a PWM controller...?

(I'm thinking it goes against the dna of the Difalco brand, but wouldn't the benefits be less weight and less heat?)

[studentdriver]

Would be cool to have it as an alternative. I believe I read though that they have issues with brushless motors? I don't know if it's all or if it can be avoided by changing the cycles which the controllers uses vs the brushless controller? I'm being fairly vague on purpose as I don't have any first hand experience, only second hand hearsay. Sorry if it's not completely true.

 

 

 

I'm a few thousand miles away, and out of reach, so how about a PWM controller...?

(I'm thinking it goes against the dna of the Difalco brand, but wouldn't the benefits be less weight and less heat?)

[Shiggy]

I will probably be adding a heavier spring in the future. When I used the Parma spring racers wanted a softer one. Now that I have been using a softer spring racers ask for a heavier one!

 

Here is a hint. Cut off one coil then bend the last one out 45 degrees to hook onto the spring post. Instant heavier spring. Anyone that has switched to my 2 finger trigger should probably use a stiffer spring to compensate for the extra lever length that makes it feel even softer.

I have actually made my spring even softer. Can’t remember if I had stretched the stock spring a bit or found a replacement at the hardware store 

[Dave_12]

I have a DD271 and i have no complaints the way it is it is a very nice controller .

[Kirbert]

I'm late to this discussion, but I do have a suggestion.  It might be a nice idea to offer a trigger that is broader, meaning there's a wider area where your finger touches it.  It doesn't need to be any different anywhere else; it can be exactly the same configuration where the ball bearings go and where the wiper attaches.  Just a broader "face", if you will, for the trigger finger to contact.

[Jim Difalco]

I'm late to this discussion, but I do have a suggestion.  It might be a nice idea to offer a trigger that is broader, meaning there's a wider area where your finger touches it.  It doesn't need to be any different anywhere else; it can be exactly the same configuration where the ball bearings go and where the wiper attaches.  Just a broader "face", if you will, for the trigger finger to contact.

Kirby, if you try one of my new curved triggers you will get the feel you are looking for. Now that it is curved from side to side you do not feel the "sharper" edge I had before and your finger will have more contact area on the trigger face.

[zipper]

Last 40 years I've glued some chamois leather on my triggers - got blisters from the original Parma triggers...

[Jim Difalco]

I have actually made my spring even softer. Can’t remember if I had stretched the stock spring a bit or found a replacement at the hardware store 

If yo have one of my controllers that is a 3-4 years old it may have a Parma spring in it. Making that spring a little softer is not a big deal. If you have a more recent controllers stretching the spring is not a good idea as it will make the at rest spring tension too soft to make good contact with the brakes.