12 replies to this topic

[Michael Jr.]

What power supply configuration is best for running Group(s) 7, 12, 27 on each of two tracks.

First a 220ft Engleman

Second a 155ft King

On my cornerclimb I have two 90A P/S connected. I know it requires more than that for higher class cars.

[garyvmachines]

Hi Mike

 Look to Mr Gofast.........  the Track...... In White House , Tenn.

He just had the H. B. Nats.... plenty of power

He has a power supply for each lane !!!!

For G7 you need GONZO Power!!!

 

GAV

[Michael Jr.]

Ok I'll look. Were there capacitors?
GONZO is new to me. I'll have to google

[jimht]

With batteries and power supplies and capacitors it's easy to have more amperage available than the wiring (and connections) can handle.

Regardless, relying on long stretches of the braid to carry the power is not as effective as multiple power taps.

 

There's been much expensive useless overkill (and support for the copper industry) through the years trying to provide "ultimate power" without balancing the system.

Problems have mostly been solved by jacking up the voltage, which is really hard on the motors.

 

The economics /expense of powering a King track to satisfy the Wing Car Nats Open Class cars is unreasonable for local racing.

 

We've reached a point where there's enough power for 8 cars on each lane...certainly way more than is needed for slower wing cars or any scale car.

 

When I had the Nats the local battery company was happy to provide me with a dozen 8d's in exchange for a sign in the window...amperage was not a problem.

[Michael Jr.]

So two 90A with multiple power drops should work? One PS for each lane seems a bit over the top but I'm not conversant on this like I want to be. Still getting schooled.

[zipper]

It's enough upto G27 I think - on our King track 8 x G7 sucks about 280 A.

[Ramcatlarry]

I think it is much better to establish a power buss bar that has the white lines out to the controller panel and you can then ADD power supplies to as your finances allow.  I had four 90 amp bulldogs under my Eurosport track and while the output voltage WAS equalized, I only needed to switch them ON when needed.  I used a clamping amp meter to test loads on day.  Each Grp7/Eurosport motor is capable of a 40 amp surge -for an instant - so having access to 1000 amps in an 8D battery or 300 amps from modern power supplies is nice to have.  Three server power supplies are the best tech available right now, but usually those use 220v AC in and you need to wire them in series to get to tune the output voltage.

[Mike Patterson]

When Mike Leach had FasTrak open in Newark, Ohio, his Dadds King was powered by 8-8D batteries, and several #0 power taps. Every tap was the same length of wire. He had a voltmeter on the driver's panel, so everyone could see the voltage, which usually read 13.2 volts. Personally, I liked it when the voltage was around 12.8 or 12.9. The cars just seemed a lot smoother to drive. Just MHO, of course. We mostly raced GTPs, and related flexi-type classes, and stock cars. The old Tri-State series raced wings on it a few times, and I don't recall any complaints about the power, although somebody probably did.

 

His other two tracks (a tri-oval and a UK Black) were both powered by power supplies. I don't recall what size wire he used on the taps on them, but I would say it probably wasn't undersized.

[racerchaser96]

I know this is kind of off topic and I apologize but I have to ask. I have a very small oval, we run Falcon7 motors. What is a good voltage setting for the power supply

[Bill from NH]

John, are you running hard body or vac body cars? For hard bodies you won't need more than 10 volts. For vac bodies you could try 12 volts. Depending upon the size of your track, these voltages may be too high & the Falcon 7s too fast. One motor that might be easier to drive is the H&R Hawk. It's an 18,000 RPM motor. H&R also sells motors in the 15,000, 26,000, & 40.000 RPM ranges.

[John C Martin]

Ok I'll look. Were there capacitors?
GONZO is new to me. I'll have to google

Yes .1 for each lane
With no power drop..
Check the pictures on the GoFast site to see @ $5000.

[Michael Jr.]

It's enough upto G27 I think - on our King track 8 x G7 sucks about 280 A.

So three of the 90A Bulldog would bring me to the threshold on a King for the highest performance motors and four 90A power supplies would be all an 8 lane track would need?

My goal is to be "able" to run any class or group car in USRA. I don't expect to run them every week but if I have an Engleman and then a King beside her I want them to be able to handle any car that's slots on them.

[Michael Jr.]

Yes .1 for each lane
With no power drop..
Check the pictures on the GoFast site to see @ $5000.

I'll look out of curiosity but $5000 will be prohibitive at this point.
I still like knowing however so thanks for helping me understand.