1 reply to this topic

[shaunmayea]

I'm doing a little long-term planning and would appreciate some input from guys familiar with choke controllers.

 

I have a four-year-old son who has really started enjoying slot car racing at home. I have a four-lane routed wooden track with independently adjustable power supplies, so I've been turning the voltage down to help him learn throttle control without constantly deslotting. He's having a blast.

 

I race 16D Flexi cars on Thursday nights at our local club, and we run 1/24 hardbody events a couple of times a year. The club track runs a fixed 13.5v. I'm thinking ahead to eventually introducing him to club racing, although that's still a ways down the road. I also have a younger son who is almost two, so ideally I'd like to invest in something both boys could use as they get older. I've been looking at the Third Eye FETroller 2 with the electronic choke. My main question is how much the choke can actually limit power. Could it make a 16D Flexi manageable for a beginner on a 13.5v track, even with the trigger fully pulled?

 

I'm not looking to rush them into racing. Just trying to plan ahead and find a controller that could grow with them as their driving skills improve.

 

I'd appreciate any experiences with the FETroller 2 or recommendations for other controllers with adjustable chokes.

 

Thanks!

[Bill Seitz]

A dad I met on my travels this year created an add-on solution for any controller for the same purpose you're asking about. He called it a "Tiger Tail" which his sons embraced right away. Essentially the "Tiger Tail" is a string of inexpensive diodes in insulating wrap with connectors on each end that is clipped in between the track white post and the controller white lead. This works with any controller - no need to buy an expensive new controller with choke option. It's possible to use single 10A diodes or bridge rectifiers; diodes drop about .6V each or 1.2V for a bridge rectifier, and as many can be connected in series for whatever voltage drop is desired. Taps can be included on the "Tail" so the voltage can be increased or decreased in steps. Something like this can be built for around $10 depending on how fancy one wants to get. If this idea is appealing but not the DIY solution, I can assist.