lane gate isolation of rail

[anthonyalonso]

We are getting DRS lane gates (for ghost cars) and not clear about the detection zone. How?? Can a simple piece of e tape over rail work or do we have to cut rail? (yikes) How you all creating that gap?
Tom

[lancelotalove]

Specify if you are using Scalextric, Carrera, or something else along with software. Different systems use different ways to drive the car.
the guys on slotforum has lot of digital info.

[anthonyalonso]

Lance, Carrera no software thanks!

[edmagner]

Tom

It has to be an actual gap in the circuit, not just a gap the braid would see like electrical tape.

There is a fairly lengthy discussion on this in an SCi thread. Lots of debate on how long the zone is, etc

I have settled on using a full length straight section as a detection zone

I create the gap at the section joint by removing the male tab and filing it flush or a little less even

Here is a pic of a gap on my track:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ez6hbwpakl9yv ... 7.jpg?dl=0


I have 10 Lane Gates on my layout and they are awesome..

This is a bit off topic but I have taken my fleet of ghost cars and taped over the LED so they don't change lanes - i run a pack of 2 or 3 ghosts in each lane set at approximately the same speed - still challenging to work through and a lot less wear and tear on lane changers

Cheers

Ed

[anthonyalonso]

Thanks Ed, That is what we are doing without the gates (tape the car sensor) and they end up freight-training. That is why we want the gates. Your rail end looks really clean. Does the male ends just pull out or did you have to cut them?? Doesn't e-taping the car sensor bypass the lane-gate function?

Tom

[anthonyalonso]

Just e-mailed Monte at DRS and he said what you said. "Pull the male ends out" He said electrical tape does work (meaning a rail separation is not necessary) but will ware off after time.
Tom

[edmagner]

The power to the track rail in the detection zone has to come only from the lane changer side. Tape laid across an intact rail won't generate the required isolation. Some folks have wrapped tape around the male tabs before assembling sections - this will work but makes the assembly more difficult and it's easy to end up with a short if the tape slides.

Cheers

Ed

[kidvoltage]

Ed is correct, Monte was mistaken.

[anthonyalonso]

Thanks guys and I saw the post about Ed's firmware which is what we must have also in regards to sleep mode.