35 or 45 ohm controller?

[NickFlynn]

I've got a relatively twisty Ninco track running at 12 volts. Still using the stock Ninco 55ohm controllers.

We run mag-less, and the hottest cars we have are Slot.it GT40s - no crazy motors so far.

Starting to wish for a little more control - with the stock controllers we are mostly using the upper half of the range...would like to upgrade the controllers to have a little more usable range, but I don't want to spend $100+ per controller even though I'm sure they are very cool. Not really sure what to look at besides Ninco and Parma, and not sure if we should be going for 35 or 45 ohms.

Any suggestions/advice welcome.

- Nick

[HomeRacingWorld]

Just guessing, the middle ground of 35 might be your best option for the cars mentioned. I used that OHM for quite awhile and they worked just fine. I moved to 25 only for the 1/24 models we sometimes race.

PARMA, in my humble redneck opinion makes a good controller and is hard to beat for as little as they cost. They are an improvement over the set controllers, last longer and give you better throttle control.

[raceeng18]

We used the 25ohm Parma controllers on everything we raced from scratch built cars using Falcon 7 motors to all of the current mass produced cars of today and they worked well. Most of us are now using PM controllers and carry them from track to track. It has taken the responsibility, and the cost away from the track owners to provide and maintain controllers.

Joe F.

[dreinecke]

I've used the PM (great controllers!) and the Parma 45 ohms. I am now only using the Parmas as I like the way they fit my hand and the 45 ohm has worked perfectly for stock/semi-stock cars on both my Scalextric Sport and my wood track. I've driven lower ohms, and they seem jumpy to me - but that is just because I'm not used to them.

[RichD]

All resistor controllers will have the same limitations, so the trick is to select one that has the right ohm value. If all of your cars used a similar motor it would be easier to pick the right controller. If you were simply running stock Scalextric type 18K and Slot.it 21.5K motors there is enough difference between those to need different controllers for each to have the best control. You did not say what you were using as a power supply. The power from set supplies is soft, the voltage drops under load and that acts like a kind of traction control, making the cars easier to drive. Your best bet is probably to get a 45 ohm Parma Economy controller, but to order a spare 35 ohm resistor at the same time. Since you run without magnets I don't think that 25 ohms would be a good choice, but I have never run on a Ninco track. With any controller the ideal situation is for the car to move slowly when you first pull the trigger. If the car wants to go too fast at the start of the trigger throw you need a controller with a higher ohm value, if you have to pull the trigger part way just to get the car moving you need a lower ohm value.

[jmsh54]

I use 45 ohm Parma controllers for my Carrera track. Using them for a number of years now with no problems. Have two 25 ohm Parma controllers too. Use the 45s almost all of the time. Regards, John

[ecr]

I second the motion on the 45 ohm Parma controller,enabling cars to move at a very slow speed if needed.
Parts are available and not expensive.
Good luck
ECR