6 replies to this topic

[Gator Bob]

Are these types of Controllers ever opened for tech inspection pre or post race?

 

 

 

[smichslot]

Why do you ask?
 
The only reason I see for opening any controller would be that somebody would think that they raise the voltage to the car, or provide an active brake by creating a negative voltage with the trigger in the brake position.
 
Both of these suspicions can be confirmed or dismissed by doing a few simple measurements on the controllers without taking them apart.
I have personally made measurements on the Micek/Kopriwa-controller and can attest that it does nothing outside the ISRA-rules. And its a fine controller that is quite popular in Europe.
 
I haven't had a chance to perform measurements on a Third Eye, but I seriously doubt that it does anything illegal.
 
So: why do you ask?
 
Steen

[Gator Bob]

I Ask:

To see if anyone was checking them.
 
You say you know how to check them without opening them up but did not answer the part about "are they'.
Are these types of Controllers ever opened checked for tech inspection pre or post race?
 
Please post the details on the simple measurements you speak of.
 
BTW: Do the fans and display take available power from the car?

[smichslot]

Tests
 
I have never seen a controller being tested at a race, but I can imagine it happen.
 
Anyway, a simple test can be performed this way: hook the controller up to the track. Connect a load to the controller betwen black and red wires. This load can be a resistor (15 ohm/10W or 2.7 ohm/50W, a current source or a motor that you are not afraid will throw a winding when it gets full track power spinning free).

Measure the voltage between the black and red wire when the trigger is at max power. The voltage between black and red wires should now be virtually the same as the voltage between whire and red (track voltage).

Alternatively you can measure the voltage between white and black with the trigger at full power. If black is showing a higher voltage than white the controller is probably illegal.
 
Testing the brake circuit is done by connecting the load (resistors, current sources or motors) from white to black, and then measuring the voltage between red and black with the brake knob at max. With a 15 ohm resistor you will typically measure 0.05-0.1V betweeen red and black. If black show a voltage that is lower than red the controller is probably illegal. 
 
Make sure that you connect the voltmeter correctly.

Honestly I don't think you'll find any illegal controllers. The only chance is if somebody has built their own. A modified car-stereo-amplifier could work as a decent power supply that can give a voltage higher than the track voltage, which would be a benefit in many, but not all, classes.
 
Both the fans and the display are running from track power. They will only slow the car down if the track wiring or the power supplies are very, very poor.
 
Good luck!
 
Steen

[idare2bdul]

It could be possible to make a controller with a hidden Lipo battery to raise voltage but I strongly suspect that when track power stops, everybody else stops, and that car keeps running it might raise a few questions.
 
Park the paranoia.

[Gator Bob]

Steen,

Thanks for the detailed procedure!
 
Mike, Don't worry, stay optimistic    The light at the end of the tunnel is almost always a train.

[kuni123456]

I have been using my Czech Pro 3 controller for Retro racing at Buena Park Raceway and the controller started to smoke for no reason on the driver's panel. The controller was disconnected and two resistors fell out of the controller. I needed another controller and bought another one from Roger Schmitt at Mid America Raceway. The Czech controller was sent back to the Czech Republic and was repaired for a nominal cost. I wanted to say thank you to Roger and controller builders in the Czech Republic.