12 replies to this topic

[hoffman5]

I have a six-lane Gerding and using two 20 amp MC variable output power supplies. One power supply per three lanes.

 

When using the supply on low setting 0-7 volts, one car will run fine. Add a second car and not enough juice to push them. Turn the setting up to medium 7-14 volts, two cars run fine until one comes off, then first car gets turbo boost.

 

What can you use to regulate the power without getting a new supply? We are wanting to keep the power low on this track for kids using Parma rental cars.

 

Thanks for any help.

[MSwiss]

Sorry, but trying to regulate what there isn't enough of isn't going to solve your problem.
 
Unless you want to but four more of what you have, and put one on each lane, what you need is the below and put it across all six lanes.
 
It's infinitely variable from 0-15V, and has 50 amps.
 
I use it for birthday parties and casual rentals on my eight-lane, 155 ft. King track, and it works great.
 
Regulated Variable Switching DC Power Supply

[Pappy]

I would think 40 amps should be plenty for low-powered cars on a six-lane track.

How thick is your wire and how many taps do you have?

[MSwiss]

I agree.
 
50 amps is plenty for my eight lanes.
 
Maybe heavier wire will help.
 
The question is are the power supplies really 20 amps each?

[racie35]

I wonder if turning down the voltage turns down available amps? Otherwise more taps needed maybe?

[hoffman5]

The ground wire running from black terminal on power supply to negative side of track slots wire is 10 gauge. The positive side running from supply to White terminal on controller panel is 14 gauge. This is what came on the track when I received it. Attempting to get in touch with original owner but it was an online auction and they shipped they track. I can just tell by the pictures they had one power source per 3 lanes. The amount of power is not the problem, it is how to keep it consistent on each of the three lanes when one car jumps out. You get a strong power surge to other two lanes when 1 car jumps out. Power supply is a MG Pro 20 amp not an MC.

[MSwiss]

It sounds like you only have one tap.

 

Are the ground taps separate or daisy chained?

How long is the track?

[Ramcatlarry]

I think the power supply may be not putting out the amps at low voltage as well. Several methods can be used to lower voltage AT the track. I used a four (3 amp) diode daisy chain to reduce the white line by three volts to an alternate "grey" post that is used instead of the white for kids rental controllers. I built these chains into the controller handles on ocassion. 
 
The 14 ga input wire should be good for Falcon type motors. Many homeset tracks get wired up with 18 ga without your problems. Braided tracks usually require taps at EACH 15-20 ft of track and especially at the points on the track that full throttle is applied. Ground taps in the braking zones always give better brakes. Standard commercial track wiring is stranded 12 ga and competition Euro and wing tracks are 8-10 ga minimum.

Rental power can go as low as 5 amps per lane and better daily rental for adults at 10 amps and up per lane. The fixed voltage RV Bulldog power supply is the gold standard of 75-90 amp per eight-lane track. I have used a lot of the Pyramid brand varialbe powers supplies with great success. The 25 amp model is good for four lanes and a bit over $100 for small tracks.
 
Slot racing is a game that should teach RESPONSIBILITY of actions... and many kids under 8 do not have the skill of disipline.

[hoffman5]

Going to print all of this out and hand it to my electrician. I have two more tracks to get running. I am sure there are plenty of questions in my future.

Thanks for the help.

[Chris Dadds]

It sounds to me like you're power supply just doesn't have the poop to push the cars. There might be ways to make up the difference in the wiring but it'll be easier and more consistent and less of a headache if you just get a bigger *regulated* power supply. It doesn't have to be variable because you can knock down the power using cheap power diodes chained together.

Run the line from the power supply through a switch that will either channel the power directly to the track for the experienced guys or throught a chain of THESE. Each rectifier device contains four diodes set up in such a way that each time the power runs through one the voltage drops by about 1.2 volts.

[Chris Dadds]

Hoppy,

Rereading the thread I think it might be worth it to try the diodes (rectifiers) I mentioned with your existing PS turned all the way up. The design theory behind your supplies may well have been to power consistent loads, but tracks require variable loads. Just do the diodes in the circuit, turn the supplies all the way up, and let us know how that works.

[hoffman5]

Will try this. Sounds similar to what they run at indy on his oval.

[Steve Ogilvie]

I am sure this problem has been solved by the OP a while back , but power surges are caused by running transformer based power supplies , not by the way a track is wired (except in the case of daisy chain wired relays and way too small wire ) .A transistor switching power supply does not cause surging .A transformer based power supply will surge .How do you know what you have ? usually they are marked , but the transformer based supply will be very heavy .A 75A rivergate only weighs 5 lbs but a 20A transformer base will weigh around 15 lbs or more and be physically larger than the 75A rivergate .So be careful when picking a power supply .