192 replies to this topic

[Gator Bob]

Muttley laugh

[Mark Crowley]

Any code jurisdiction would not allow the use of 120v receptacles for low voltage power.  Yes only an idiot would try and connect a 120v cord to a slot car track but we have no shortage of idiots and lawyers make a living off of idiots.  Also any wiring connected to a 120v receptacle must be rated for 120v which means no open connections.  Pretty sure exposed copper braid would not be considered safe at 120v.  Let alone the rats next below every track..

Not likely to happen? Perhaps but, if it did happen you would have no excuse.  You would also need a good lawyer because your insurance company would most likely not cover you.  (Insurance companies have good lawyers.)

Mark

[NSwanberg]

Jim,

Did you read my post #37?

 

"As far as the controller thing you should have heard a carsteen go BOOM last weekend when hooked up wrong and the power came on WOW!"

 

IMO, frying a controller and having one explode are 2 different things,

 

A user will eventually drop a hot controller.

 

Ones that explodes doesn't afford him any warning,

 

 

Mike, do you know exactly what happened to this controller? Did someone that knows what they are looking at do a postmortem on it? I can only assume one or more of the capacitors in the controller popped?

[Gator Bob]

Greg you (really?) took a lot out, explanation stuff that was not in violation of any rules.

 

I will rephrase the point that might have been in violation of some rule which is defined at the moment the editor choses to delete it.

===============

 

Zip, I see there is no head in the helmet of your avatar.

With the assumption that your avatar represents you and the points you make while sticking to your "stupid" replies I know exactly where your head is. You are in the 'dark' on this topic. 

 

I found an 'off the shelf' controller plug adapter that might give you idiots the ability to plug 'safely' into your nearest 'nuclear plant'.

 

 

Detail here:

 UNIPLUGINT.pdf   104.42KB   68 downloads

[slotbaker]

Bob, is that a real suggestion, or tongue in cheek, re the 'nuclear plant'?

 

If a real suggestion, isn't that thing the same as what Zippity is using? Slightly different configuration, but looks like it accepts the same female socket/cord that can plug into an AC outlet.

In the pdf specs, it says;

 

Tripp Lite's UNIPLUGINT outlet adapter enables the connection of a wide variety of international plugs into a standard IEC 320 C13 computer interface receptacle

Direct plug-in module connects directly to a wall socket or power protection device output

Doesn't that mean you would be in the same boat as Zip?

[Gator Bob]

Steve, I made a cross-out correction above. I found it in the interest of 'safety'  thinking it was the long line cord that you showed was confusing him.... and his brilliant side kicks

 

Do you really think I would ever be in the same boat as ZIP ...

[slotbaker]

It would be interesting to see....

[Zippity]

Is it any wonder that this silly little pastime of ours of playing with toy electric race cars is dying?
 
Especially with contributors like Bob pushing their ridiculous posturings...  

[smichslot]

Mike,
 
No, I have not seen the post you are referring to, but will start to look for it.
 
Anyway, protecting controllers from abuse (faulty hook-up, shorts on the track and what have you) is very important, and something I pay attention to.
 
it is difficult to predict each and every circumstance a given controller will face, but it is possible to test for a lot of things. there are a number of way to hook up a controller wrong, and they can all be tested using a high current power supply.

I have seen enough fried controllers  (also controllers I have built) to appreciate the value of a rigourus testing program. And I think that I can say that my controllers are protected against faulty hook-up as well as dead short.

However, if you plug it into a wall outlet something will have to give...
 
Steen

[Jaak]

Banana plugs are the best ...(jumps for cover)

 

 

What I use

 

To connect too.

 

 

But can also be used with

 

 

Or use a female to male extension cords to use in different spaced female connectors.

 

 

These are at least used in : Holland Italy Spain France Switzerland Germany etc,

[Tim Neja]

Just another thread showing slot sluts will argue about ANYTHING!!

[Gator Bob]

 

I will jump in again, in terms of what we do in Australia (and NZ zippity) I am 100% that it is illegal and in breach of AS/NZS3112. I work within the construction industry which has had some massive changes in relation to safety. If there is a chance, even small of a fatal occurrence happening actions must be taken to render safe. While we keep saying - this has never happened, and no one would do that we are deluding ourselves, it takes one event for all this to turn to crap.

 

I expect that if it does turn to crap, the first words from the insurance investigator would be - we are not covering that you have not conformed to the above standard.

 

I am happy with plugs, just not common high voltage plugs, it will be someones toddler who will pay the ultimate price.

 

[Samiam]

Tim,

I think you're wrong about that.

[jimht]

Bob Israelite:

 

You've done much whining and derogatory remarking here about the "illegality" of & the potential hazards of using 3 wire AC plugs in DC applications.

 

I am open to your providing alternatives...despite the fact that there's been no documented proof provided of the horrendous results you think are possible.

 

So, Bob, instead of playing Chicken Little on and on...put up or shut up.

[Samiam]

Tim,

I apologize,apparently you are right!

[Gator Bob]

 

Bob Israelite:

 

You've done much whining and derogatory remarking here about the "illegality" of & the potential hazards of using 3 wire AC plugs in DC applications.

 

I am open to your providing alternatives...despite the fact that there's been no documented proof provided of the horrendous results you think are possible.

 

So, Bob, instead of playing Chicken Little on and on...put up or shut up.

 

 

Hi Honey, I'm home.

How is your thumb doing today?

 

I sure do appreciate you giving me two options ... 'put up or shut up' ... so I'll have to say ... "Shut up"

Hope that helps because now I have to back out and see if the sky is falling.

 

And for being so friendly in the way you ask for a recommended alternative solution to the hazards of electricity go here.

http://slotblog.net/...goland-raceway/

[Jaak]

4mm Banana plugs is the only way to go, just give in and go with the flow 

[slotbaker]

I reckon banana plugs would be better than crocagator clips, but they can still be crossed up.

[Zippity]

So many suggestions.

 

In the end it comes down to what the individual Club or raceway owner decides is best for their/his track.

[Gator Bob]

To the reasonable people interested. I expect many defensive remarks to follow.

 

There are great choices for low voltage connectors for slot tracks, The problem is getting every commercial and/or club track to wire their tracks to a standard.

 

This has not been coordinated or implemented in our slot car lifetime.

 

Could I research and suggest the ideal connector for this application ...sure.... but... would a standard be implemented in the field? As some are quick to say "I have not seen any evidence of this".

 

Many of you remember these from almost 50 years ago. Now in the US we get long screws to connect to.

 

The MCR Drivers Panel accepted Banana Plugs, CrockOGator Clips and PL-55 (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) Phone Plugs (bad choice), note the polarity switch for different wired Phone Plugs (if the brake wire was correct) or manufacturers boot color variations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jimht]

There, I knew you could be more informative...

Yeah, I know about Swiss's solution, but there are others who might not and banana plugs are useless because they can still be hooked up incorrectly.

As a Raceway owner since 1974, I can assure you that although his solution is OK for someone that owns their controller, it's not adequate for rentals...too complicated and time consuming for the general public, too much hassle for little kids. Besides, it's designed to protect controllers, not make connecting easier.

Note that the home racing market doesn't force their customers to deal with such silliness.

So, I, like others in the commercial raceway venue, deal with the lack of a dedicated plug that we really need.

 

Sure wish there were something out there...and pointing out over and over that the sky might fall isn't helping.

No-one has said you were wrong, just rude.

[Gator Bob]

Jim, no one asked for fool (ingenious) proof.

 

BTW:  If you go back through the threads about this topic you will find where 'rude' started.

I have no issue in being 'more rude' then the rude guy before me. Sometimes I gotta do what it takes to get a point (or two) across.

 

For a guy that has been able to keep a raceway opened since 74 ... I will research a connector solution for 'your' raceway to make it simple, durable and of course Safe for your rental program customers.

Your racers might even like it ... expect complaints (grumbling) about the price of high quality connectors but they only have to buy one side (or use the post/clip method) ... you will furnish the other mounted for their convenience (and controller protection) at the drivers station.

[Zippity]

....................., The problem is getting every commercial and/or club track to wire their tracks to a standard.

 

This has not been coordinated or implemented in our slot car lifetime.................

 

 

And in those two sentences I believe, lies the correct answer - at least for USA based raceways

[Jaak]

Banana plugs are far from useless if you ask me.

There safe and gave a good connectivity also they do not come loose during racing and the port does not stick out,

so if you use a thing as Mike Swiss showed and you still managed to get it the wrong way around it is time to retire.

There is no such thing as a retard proof connector and one can always invent a way to make any connector look dangerous.

Jim if it is for rentals then I suggest you "permanently" attach the controllers and skip the easy connector

[Cheater]

Just another thread showing slot sluts will argue about ANYTHING!!

Correct and the funny thing is that a couple of years back there was similar contentious thread on the very same topic.

IIRC that thread got closed as well...