For your own convenience the YouTube video is embedded here.
So what have you just been looking at?
The first oXigen (aka O2) public testing in Rome. We took the Ninco track we use for the championship, inserted Scalextric SSD 'X' lane changers in the circuit, and run 20 cars on it with the first samples of oXigen SCP-1 cartridges and in-car module. 20 cars going around on the same circuit (cars could go from lane 8 to 1 and viceversa), i.e. if so desired all cars could go on one single lane. Massive carnage even on a 45 meters 8 laner.... Lane changers are off the shelf SSD. We have an agreement with Hornby which allows us to use some SSD technology inside oXigen, so O2's lane changers and Lap Counter Rail can be used inside SSD. However, what you are looking at are standard SSD LCs. The O2 protocol was put in 'SSD LED emulation' mode to do so, but the O2 cars will NOT be able to run on SSD; we choose not for some technical reasons, as it would make the hardware more complex, and hence more expensive.
A few pictures:
the special connector used to power the rails and the controllers:
the odd connector is used in Italy in most clubs. Simply, we short the + rail to the power supply, and provide power plugs for the controllers.
The untethered controller for the race director: just a standard SCP-1 with O2 cartridge and a 9V transistor battery. Very simple.
SCP-1 module and in-car module:
The SSD lane changer between the Ninco adaptors
And the Ninco layout:
It worked well, remarkably well for a first public testing of a Alpha 0.1 release...
When will it be available? As Linus Torvalds said once: 'when it's ready'
Seriously speaking, it will take time; a lot of work must be done, this is just the beginning; we must make sure everything works well but I'll keep the forum updated with news when they become available.
Hmmm i never understand why the have the cross overs so short.
you would never be able to race no mag and change lanes while going down a straight like that.
Well, I must say that the SSD 'X' crossover works remarkably well despite its short length. Certainly the radius of its curves has been studied carefully.
Hmmm i never understand why the have the cross overs so short.
you would never be able to race no mag and change lanes while going down a straight like that.
Yes they were all no-mag.
As I said - surprisingly high crossover speed.
Actually, I must say that I hardly remember anyone deslotting on a SSD X lane changer during the test. We did not go higher than 11-12V, but still!!
The SSD crossover can be crossed at a higher speed than the Ninco LC. We used the Ninco LC (flipper fixed in 'change' mode) to get all cars running in lane 8, automatically diverted to lane 7.
And some questions for you:
Q1. I keep staring at the video but do not see how you could switch from lane 1 to lane 8 with the way you implemented the SSD XLC's in your layout.
All I see are the options to go:
.... from lane 1 to 2 to 3 and back (using the Ninco single LC in fixed lane change)
.... from lane 4 to 5 and back
.... from lane 6 to 7 to 8 and back (using the Ninco single LC in fixed lane change)
Q2. To use the Ninco XLC's in this Ninco lay-out which mode would you put the O2 chip in?
Q3. If running purely Ninco LC's and Ninco XLC's could you still have used the Lapcounting rail?
Hi.
Q1 - At the beginning of the long straights, 4 XLC do 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, whereas at the end of the straight, 3 XLCs do 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (obviously some hacking of Ninco track converters was needed in this latter case as Ninco track pieces cannot be put across 2-3, 4-5, etc... directly). The way things were setup, to go from 8 to 1 it would take 1.1/2 laps.
Q2 - we cannot use Ninco LCs natively as the Ninco detection method is patented. Same for SSD, but we have a license from Hornby, and besides, our protocol is not the same. The Ninco LC you see is locked in the 'change lane' position by a grub screw.
Q3 - see above. But we will develop our own XLCs for Ninco track.
PS your ferrite man is better than mine but not perfect yet - any takers?
Hi.
Q1 - At the beginning of the long straights, 4 XLC do 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, whereas at the end of the straight, 3 XLCs do 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (obviously some hacking of Ninco track converters was needed in this latter case as Ninco track pieces cannot be put across 2-3, 4-5, etc... directly). The way things were setup, to go from 8 to 1 it would take 1.1/2 laps.
OK, that's what I was thinking as it was the only way to cross-over lanes 2-3, 4-5, 6-7.
I had to perform the same surgery but in my case on 1/4 straights which "saw" their male connectors vanish mysteriously overnight when creating a full fledged 2 lane Ninco pitlane.
Quote:
Originally Posted by slot.it
Q2 - we cannot use Ninco LCs natively as the Ninco detection method is patented....
I am very surprised here that Ninco managed to patent "dead strip" detection as DAVIC uses "dead strip" detection and some analog lapcounters used "dead strip" detection.
Still I am sure you know for sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by slot.it
Q3 - see above. But we will develop our own XLCs for Ninco track.
Here's my two cents on what I would love to have:
.... single straight single LC (in to out).................. Ninco available
.... single straight single LC (out to in).................. Ninco available
.... single straight X LC ..................................... Ninco available
.... double straight single LC (in to out) ............... currently missing
.... double straight single LC (out to in) ............... currently missing
.... double straight X LC ................... ............... currently missing
.... single standard curved single LC (in to out)...... currently missing
.... single standard curved single LC (out to in)...... currently missing
Quote:
Originally Posted by slot.it
PS your ferrite man is better than mine but not perfect yet - any takers?
Good luck!!!(LOL)
PS: That video was awesome and shows what Digital can and will do for slotcar racing on a track near you!!!!
Just saw the video on Slot.it... I have many more questions, but It also like the SCP1 WIRELESS!!! I think most slot car racers would also be interested in an analogue version of the SCP1 Wireless! We wait with bated breath for more information!!!!!
-Main Line Hobbies
MainLineHobbies.com
PhillySlotsRacing.com
No plans currently to release an ANALOG SCP-1 wireless controller. However, an 'oXigenized' car can be raced on any analog circuit, so in this sense, yes it is possible and will become a reality once O2 is commercially available (note that making a untethered O2 SCP-1 is trivial as you just need to power it with a 9V transistor battery and it will last approx 10 hrs of **continuous** use on alkaline battery, 3 times as much on Lithium, all depending on the battery). But in this case O2's in-car module must be fitted in the car before using it on analog equipment (in other words: it will then become an O2 car with no lane change as there are no LCs on the track).
It is true that O2 in-car module might be just plugged into the controller's tap on the track, to turn the lane in a remotely controlled analog one,but really I'd strongly advise against this, unless a specific module is released - which is entirely possible in the future.
...note that making a untethered O2 SCP-1 is trivial as you just need to power it with a 9V transistor battery and it will last approx 10 hrs of **continuous** use on alkaline battery, 3 times as much on Lithium, all depending on the battery...
Will (can) this be the case for all versions of the SCP-1, including the digital compatible (SSD, Ninco, etc.) version, thereby precluding the need for and cost of the various "vampire" power cables?
Michael
Last edited by mfogg; 10-31-2008 at 11:13 AM.
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