87 replies to this topic

[btk]

Anyone have a feel for when these are going to hit the market?

[russm2002]

You can order one from any raceway that gets products from ERI. Just make sure they ask for the new Genesis 2 controller as they are likely to try to sell old stock first.

[Slot-Racer]

I wonder what the new fuse rating is? Previous version was only 16A. I believe Jim said they upgraded it to 20A? Russ, can you see the numbers on the little orange square self-resetting fuse on the circuit board?

[Jim Difalco]

Hi racers, nothing on TV tonight so I thought I would check out the blog.

 

The handle side of my controllers are essentially unchanged on the Genesis 2. The power unit was redesigned for a number of reasons. I wanted to provide a much smaller platform as well as adding new features asked for by racers. The previous TO-3 type transistor limited the type of heatsink I could use as well as the overall design. I switched to using two type 220 transistors so now the controllers have 66% higher amperage and 50% higher wattage capacity.

 

The RPM (remote power unit) also has a new fiberglass track hanger. The hanger can be mounted on either of the long sides of the heatsink or the short side like the picture from Russ. I have to download some pictures on my camera so I will post them later.

 

Just for Mario there is a voltmeter kit available for all Genesis 2 models. It is easily installed with a screwdriver and soldering iron. Just like the hanger bracket the voltmeter can be mounted on the short side or the long side of the heatsink for easy viewing.

 

This is an upgraded design but controller prices have remained the same. The only two new models use my 30 band design with the added traction control feature. NJ racer printed the instructions for my traction control and are correct. I have been using this feature on my 1/32 controllers for many years and there are other scale euro controllers using this same feature. It basically limits the amount of power available on the last half of a curve so you have a smoother turn exit onto the straight. It can be turned off so it reacts like my standard controllers

 

I have changed the electronic reset fuse rating up to 16 amps. You want to use the lowest amp fuse, within reason, to protect the transistor without having the fuse disconnect during normal use.

 

Tony P and Ed Sohl have been running hand cut versions of the new circuit board design for over 6 months, they just do not have the final production version yet. Send them in for updates anytime Tony and Ed.

 

John Gorski has my personal controller with the full traction control feature at the Port Jefferson race if you want to see one in person.

 

The new design is available from distributors but is limited because of Parma handle availability. More are shipping Monday and plenty will be shipped in 2 weeks.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim Difalco

[russm2002]

Another win for the new Difalco Genesis 2!! Love it!

 

[John Gorski]

New Difalco Genesis 2 with Traction Control & Voltage Meter display now available. Jim's Controller gives you more control over your

car tracking in the corners. With Traction Control knob turned full right traction control is off to adjust start turning the knob

to the left little by little to adjust the tracking of the tail of your car if your car is kicking or sliding out in the corners (great for Stock Cars) this adjustment will

help straighten the tracking of the car by lowing the voltage across the band you may think this slows the car but it will make

it easier to push it faster and straighter threw the turns. Most adjustments on controllers you hardly feel a difference until you

turn it halfway or full. This control is more sensitive and you can feel the change threw the whole spectrum of the Knob adjustment.

The Voltage meter hooks comfortably to the tracks edge. I will be testing at Speedzone & Fast Tracks. I give it an A+ for a 

great addition to an already awesome controller. A great Christmas Gift idea!! 

 

 

 

[Slot-Racer]

The specs says the "voltmeter monitors the track voltage." Yes and it does more than that, as the volt meter will provide more info than just the track voltage. It will provide info on when the controller is powered as the Difalco's have no other indication they are powered on, no LED light etc. When the voltmeter is on you know you have the controller on, of course. The volt meter will also let you know one or more of the following which you can quickly determine/eliminate by experience; (it does for me at least)

 

-Controller overload (fuse resetting)

-Controller lost connection (clips not connected or lost connection)

-If the motor has a short

-If the track has a dead spot (dirty or other)

-If your braid is not making contact (dirty or other)

-If you lost connection (motor wire)

-Motor short (thrown wire)

-Brush failure

 

Jim, I think the voltmeter is the best upgrade you have done on an an excellent controller!

 

Thank you for a great product!

[Fast Freddie]

How is this "traction control" different than the e-choke on my Third Eye?  It also lowers the voltage except for full power.  I also have the dip switches to tailor the power application along with the sensitivity control to reduce the power of the hit on acceleration. What am I missing?  I have a Difalco and wouldn't mind getting a conversion to see if it helps me, Lord knows I need it.  Just ask Ron Hershman and Shane Parent.

[Jim Difalco]

Fred, it will be similar to a choke with the full power on but my traction control will have a more pronounced affect on the power available. So it will have a wider range of adjustment.

 

Jim

[DavidR]

Are these available now if so where can I ask my track to order from?

[MSwiss]

It looks like both Eagle and ERI have them in stock, with the economy vari-brake, but are both out, with the deluxe vari-brake.

[Jim Difalco]

I expect distributors are busy counting their inventory like I am doing. But they should be reordering at the end of this week so I can ship early next week. With the ESP brake relay the full brake performance is equal between the pro and economy brake.

 

But the sooner you get your order in with your track the more controllers the distributors will order for stock.

[mreibman]

Is there going to be an upgrade kit for this? 

[Dennis David]

The only thing missing is a panic button ...

[mreibman]

The only thing missing is a panic button ...

What about cruise control? I'd love the car to drive itself for a bit. It'd probably be faster than me.

[Jim Difalco]

There will not be upgrade kits that can be installed by racers as the conversion is a bit involved. Racers can send their controllers in for the upgrade as long as you have a Genesis model with the heatsink design that sits on the track. Upgrading the older "E"motion models with the heatsink just below the handle is not cost effective because of all the changes that would need to be made. The upgrades also include a contact cleaning and tune up.

 

Upgrades include any combination of the new heatsink design, traction control and optional voltmeter. The traction control can be added separately to a Genesis 1 but the voltmeter can only be added to the new heatsink layout. I also can do upgrades to the new brake contact design which stays cleaner and more consistent with less contact arcing.

 

Please email me for pricing details.

[tonyp]

Can’t wait to try it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Paul's Slots]

I've read the posts...a long time past we used beer cans and 20ft of wire to help us run on tight flat road courses...we had massive D9 batteries strapped together some were hooked up as every 40ft...now today all of these wonderful controller designers and builders come along and make our lives more interesting and easier.
Voltage knobs that turn down the voltage and call it traction control witch it certainly does...chokes that counter current ...when the current drops so does the voltage...and also has a differant feel to the driver...bypasses well all kinds of adjustments.
Well these are the tools made for us to use...ill just say thank you!
It's still the fellow on blue that just passed you with the new controller...but he's been down here since the track opened practicing with his new controller.
It's not just the new controller that's a winner...its the guy who puts the effort out!

[John Gorski]

Tested at Fast tracks yesterday. What I found out...

More of it was being able to run with a lot more sensitivity then I usually do.

Can-Am... I thought I got up the donut & thru the deadman faster. It’s a hillclimb track.

Stock Car... It straightens them out a lot in the turns. The people that tried it were impressed.

One Note … When you order one, if you want the voltage meter tell them you want it attached to the controller

some people have ordered them & got the Voltage meter separate not attached to the controller.

[Jim Difalco]

John, correction on one thing. The voltmeters are sold separately! All the time. This is done for a couple reasons. The biggest is that racers have the option to mount the heatsink bracket in one of three different directions depending on their track hookup studs. It is impossible for me to guess which orientation to mount the voltmeter ahead of time.

 

Next is a purely business decision. Some racers may not want the voltmeter. It bumps up the list price of my controllers for racers that may be more cost conscience. It will also drive the distributors and me crazy because it will double the number of controller models I have from 7 to 14!

 

I may decide to only offer it installed on the top of the line traction control models in the future. I will let everyone know.

 

If you send the controller in for an upgrade I will install the voltmeter for you on the short side of the heatsink unless you tell me otherwise.

 

I do need some feedback. Of the racers that have bought a new Genesis 2 did you install the bracket on the short side or long side of the heatsink? If you installed the bracket on the long side do you have the heatsink to the right or left of the hookup studs?

[Noose]

Used mine and concur with John Gorski's results. 

[Garbow64]

New to the game. Is DD-281 the latest?

[Slot-Racer]

John, correction on one thing. The voltmeters are sold separately! All the time. This is done for a couple reasons. The biggest is that racers have the option to mount the heatsink bracket in one of three different directions depending on their track hookup studs. It is impossible for me to guess which orientation to mount the voltmeter ahead of time.

 

Next is a purely business decision. Some racers may not want the voltmeter. It bumps up the list price of my controllers for racers that may be more cost conscience. It will also drive the distributors and me crazy because it will double the number of controller models I have from 7 to 14!

 

I may decide to only offer it installed on the top of the line traction control models in the future. I will let everyone know.

 

If you send the controller in for an upgrade I will install the voltmeter for you on the short side of the heatsink unless you tell me otherwise.

 

I do need some feedback. Of the racers that have bought a new Genesis 2 did you install the bracket on the short side or long side of the heatsink? If you installed the bracket on the long side do you have the heatsink to the right or left of the hookup studs?

 

 

Jim you can install the meter in the handle like I did and it will do two things,

 

1. You don't have to worry about where to install it -"on the short side or long side of the heatsink"

2. It will protect it well inside the handle.

Attached Images

• 

[Jim Difalco]

Garbow64, the DD281 and the DD280 are the controllers with the traction control rheostat added. The only differences between the two is the pro brake on the DD281 versus the economy brake on the DD280. Performance is really the same as the ESP brake relay on all my controllers give the economy and pro brake equal full brake response.

 

Jim

[Jim Difalco]

Slot-racer, you seem to love doing things your own way, which is great. Your modifications seem very well done on my controllers. But with the proliferation of hydro and vinyl overlays for the handle I could not go with your suggested installation.

 

What did you use for the foam pad on the handles?