5 replies to this topic

[GT40]

I recently bought a Carrera "Rolling Thunder" home set. Has two very nice 1/32 Can-Am cars, a Lola T222 and Porsche 917. I like the Carrera track and have plans to expand it, set up permanently in garage on tables that will hoist up to the ceiling, etc. 

 

I had some friends over last Friday evening and when we were racing I noticed that when both cars are at full throttle they stall. Apparently the little wall wart power supply isn't up to the demand. Is this normal for these sets or do I have a defective power supply?

 

I have a Pyramid PS7KX 13.8 Volt 5 Amp supply I could hook up, but I guess I would have to butcher the cables off the standard supply and I'm reluctant to do that.

 

Anyone have experience with this?

 

Thanks!

[TSR]

It is not an uncommon failure in modern power packs, due to the rather dumb UL regulations that limit the available current of toys to 1 amp to make sure that children wanting to lick the rails of a plasticx track when power is applied will not learn a good lesson in life.

The Chinese power packs supplied in those racing sets (not only Carrera but Scalextric and other Chinese sets) are generally on the weak side of that single amp, so when the two cars are throttled in full, that will trip the circuit breaker for a few seconds.
Best it to connect your Pyramid power supply that offers up to 20 amps, you will be much happier with it.

[gascarnut]

Steve,

 

Presumably this is an analog set, not digital, right?

 

If analog, the Pyramid is a good idea, but remember that the Carrera track, like most homeset tracks, is wired for negative gate, not the positive gate we use at the comercial raceways, I'm not sure if you will want to continue using the Carrera controllers, but if you do and if they are the electonic type, remember to wire accordingly or you will blow them.

 

My experience with Carrera electronic controllers was not good. Granted, this was nearly ten years back, but they did not make it past the first few weeks of racing before they expired. I swapped to two Professor Motor controllers, put in a 7-amp 13.4V power suppy, rewired the Carrera track for positive gate and the same red/white/black setup we use commercially, and never looked back.

 

I hope this helps

[GT40]

Thanks Dokk, and Dennis. Yep, analog set, not sure if I'm ready for the digital stuff, although they do have some interesting features  It looks like you can use the wireless controller setup with the analog set, and that might be fun. I got the Carrera lap counter, which works surprisingly well, but a little tedious to set up.

[Ramcatlarry]

Check the Prof Motor website for the power supply cord set all made up to plug in to the track and pyramid (or other brand) power supply as well as other track building wiring supplies.  Trakmate timing systems work great with any old laptop you may have in the closet as well.

[GT40]

Thanks, Larry! I'll do that. I'm familiar with Prof Motor but now I know what to look for.

 

By the way, the cat LOVES the Carrera cars. My fiancee is not too pleased that I have the set on the dining room table (+ another table) for now, but she is showing remarkable patience