DIY Analogue Switch Box for Carrera Digital Slot Car Track

[@johnsweet8508]

As someone who is invested in a boatload of Scalextric Sport Track and runs all analog, this isn't for me. Still, interesting to watch. Top notch production quality and presentation.😊

[@antoniospina4745]

Well done Dave. Very informative. Makes the conversation not seen so scary.

[@slotr]

then my work here is done :) thank you

[@SCALE_RC__AND_SLOTCARS]

It's beyond me Dave but commented for the algorithm 😊 excellent post for those that want to explore the possibilities of Digital to analogue 🤗👍

[@trackfanstv]

That's next level isn't it Harry!! 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@SCALE_RC__AND_SLOTCARS]

My tiny brain just starts smoking Pete 😂​@trackfanstv

[@slotjournal]

Nice job explaining this, Dave. I'm all analog (I simply lack the hand/eye coordination for digital 😂) but if I could do this I would. Keep up the great work. 👍

[@jps612]

That’s pretty slick👍

[@tcase101]

Very cool Dave! I enjoyed seeing how all this works. Great job making your own box. I lucked out and found a complete Carrera evolution set for $50 second hand. I was able to expand my digital layout with the track pieces and I just swap out the CU’s when I want to switch from digital to analog 👍

[@SewfastSpeedway]

Well explained and easy to understand visually. I’m not the sharpest tack in the box but can follow a good schematic diagram and I’m sure Marty will be happy once the royalties start rolling in. Good job Dave 👍 Thanks….Ron

[@davidpinner4598]

Ive just ordered all the parts listed plus a crimping tool ,£91 from amazon delivery tomorrow.

[@berndogman]

Kudos Dave for confirming how this can be done. I was considering something similar.

[@Dennis-rq6jf]

Thanks Dave that was very informative and not so long for all the info you shared.

[@Clearwater124]

Brilliant Dave, great explanation and schematic.

[@kool-k-kel]

Thank you for your work on this Dave, also shout out to Marty as well for the work on his video as well. Saved to my playlist!

[@kool-k-kel]

how do we change lane..? ............ joshing fella ;)

[@slotr]

😂😂

[@DNASlotCars]

Great video Dave, the highlight for me was the switch to black & white for the analog 😁 Nice job on the switch, glad you now have the option for both. I guess that means we need to send you something new to run on it 😁

[@shermaddictedtorc8540]

thanks Dave very informative and easy to follow. when my tables are finished and track layout finalized (Carrera 124 digital) this is the next project so I can use my club cars (analogue) at home just for the convenience of checking car health at home and not have any issues at club with a faulty car. my home track table is 7.2 m x 3.6 m approximate length of 148.6 feet all flat on board no overpasses or elevation.

[@IrrerasCarrera]

This was really interesting to watch. I commend you for the patience it must of took to not only make the mod but to make an episode out of it. Congrats and great job!

[@slotr]

I found the limit of what my laptop can handle editing for sure 😁

[@johnsweet8508]

As someone invested in a ****load of Scalextric Sport track who runs 100 % analog, this isn't for me. However, still found it interesting to watch. Excellent production quality and presentation.😊

[@darrenhall6400]

Awesome video Dave I didn’t know that Carrera didn’t do a power supply that was switchable. But then I have the Scalextric Arc Pro power supply and it is switchable

[@slotr]

it's the one thing they don't do when they announced "hybrid" everyone was hoping it was this... not the over complicated version of Mini-Z it turned out to be lol

[@Dafingers1]

This sounds promising.

[@Cad1900]

Loved your video. I bought a Tech Slots last year and returned it. Just didn’t like how it looked etc. this setup is far better and I’d feel more comfortable following your recommendations. Thank you!

[@davidpinner4598]

After hours of changing every combination of wires I could think of, I finally got everything to work as it should. NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR INSTRUCTIONS OR WIRING, You did say don't have single bend changeover lane which I didn't, I did have single digital straight changeover lanes, I did notice a drop of power at this change over lane, I decided to take that out just to make sure, and XXXX me that was the problem, even though no body has mentioned that they might be a problem. So maybe adding that to the disclaimer or instructions might help some one else. DAVE, THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND ALL YOUR HELP. Please keep up the fantastic work and hoping to see the next upgrade to the switch box. Do you want me to delete all the other messages.

[@slotr]

Not at all, leave it there, my wife has been following this story and I'm sure so have others

[@FliToTheMoon]

You are much more talented than me David. I'm just trying to put the pieces together and can't find the right 4 Channel Interface card.😢

[@davidpinner4598]

@@FliToTheMoon Amazon £9.89 .Bestgle 2 Packs 4 Channel DC 5V Relay Module with Optocoupler for Arduino UNO R3 MEGA R3 Project 1280 DSP ARM PIC AVR STM32 Raspberry Pi.

[@frankg.sistojr.9276]

Thanks again for this great video with schematic. Built mine. It works great! Thank you.

[@slotr]

Brilliant news thank you for pitching in and having a go at it :)

[@madmatt54]

I got mine working following your instructions. It works perfectly. Thank you so much. I got most of the parts on amazon with the exception of the 4 bank relays which I got from eBay. All in, it was about $100 US.

[@slotr]

Ah that's great to hear, this is exactly the sort of thing makes doing the channel so rewarding 😎

[@trackfanstv]

Great video, wasn't sure I'd be able to follow it but, even though I still have no idea how I'd put this together, it was a great video to see it all going together. Nice one 👍🏻

[@twolinesslotcars]

I am sure that I will receive some compensation from the non schematic schematic trademark people.. I will patiently await my check… 👍

[@Clearwater124]

Marty....this does not in any way represent your non schematic-schematic. I'm sure you noticed. If I had this one I may not have had the fire department at my house and my wife would still be speaking to me.

[@consco3667]

@@Clearwater124😂😂😂😂😂

[@DNASlotCars]

😂

[@trackfanstv]

​@@Clearwater124😂😂😂

[@The-Grand-Raceway]

Excellent video Dave 🙌

[@MrDarrenp40]

Dave, this is quintessential diy slot system building. Moreover it references your talent and passion for practical engineering design and building at its best. I enjoyed the subtle humour too - and now I know what a non schematic schematic is 😀 Overall a very entertaining and informative delivery against the subject matter of regular electrical work. Yes, the wiring is 'dry' but you manage here to deliver body and full flavour which further demonstrates your already renowned teaching abilities. I was looking to do something similar back in 2021 but never did, as I prefer to run analogue, but I do have some Carrera digital cars and it would be a shame not to give this a 'follow the master' go at some point. If I can find the time then I will.

[@slotr]

I love your comments, they read like a review of a good bottle of wine :)

[@MrDarrenp40]

@@slotr You deserve more than a few hundred likes for all this hard work. I am sure this video will stand the test of time over the next decade and more as a go to reference guide for those with the same ideas.

[@slotr]

@@MrDarrenp40 this and the pit lane one, I did with the same hope in mind

[@leesslotcars]

Wow fascinating Dave great job, way above my skill level, great video!

[@Dafingers1]

Texting here, but have you on big screen TV so I can see better..coffee ready, yes Most Ethiopian coffee. Thanks ,Dave

[@bomamo9620]

Well done Dave. 🙂

[@MrBen1976]

Skills ❤

[@slotr]

Yeah although I cut out all the tricky build bits where the language all got a bit Samuel L Jackson HAHA

[@GANJAHGIRL1]

Dave nicely done ...how do you count laps in analogue mode and will lap times somehow work in smart race ...dont see how it could without more mods

[@slotr]

Smart race on the tablet, smart race connect on the phone in analogue mode, works fine 😁

[@davidscotty1910]

Great video. Even better he sounds like Michael Caine

[@slotr]

😂😂

[@conquestracingclub]

Great video< i already have an Omnibox but if I did not thsi would be a great video to get deep into.

[@simonsays171]

Great video sir! Well explained. I copped out though and bought one. Interested in essex clubs if you find a good one not to far from Chelmsford let me know.

[@slotr]

There's one in battlesbridge but I've not been yet

[@slotr]

OK me, Mr D, Andy and reuben are going to Gt Leighs Village Hall on Friday at 7:30pm look for "in the groove slot cars" on the book of faces :)

[@simonsays171]

@@slotr awesome thanks. I will look them up. I am hoping to be home sometime in April or May so maybe I can get brother to take me out there

[@simonsays171]

@@slotr not a bad location certainly close enough to get to

[@subhumanaudio]

Thanks for all the info and time put into it. What size is your track. I like your layout. I have a 5x16 area I’d like to change from simple oval. Thanks again.

[@SpareRoomSlotCars]

Hi Dave, Nice build video, I love the way the switch works, its brilliant how the color and the music is affected as well 🤣🤣 one serious question though. how do you change the voltage on the digital side if your only getting 5V out from the converter?

[@slotr]

The 5v is only driving the relays, all the other voltage is from the variable supply

[@SpareRoomSlotCars]

@@slotr Got it, thanks

[@SpareRoomSlotCars]

After watching it a second time, I got it, thanks. You can say Im a little slow on the uptake when it comes to electrical stuff

[@slotr]

@@SpareRoomSlotCars if you got it the second time you got it quicker than me, took me ages to get my head round it

[@joetrinks2570]

Hi Dave, great video. Is there a way to use the digital controllers to control the analogue cars, rather than having specific digital and analogue controllers?

[@slotr]

I don't think you can, I've never seen anyone do that

[@MrJustmorty]

there is a way, look for the Axel Box digital to analogue "smart" box. NOT DIY :)

[@SwiftSlots]

I didn't know clubs used the 5amp plug, all the tracks and clubs I've been in use the 2amp.

[@slotr]

Yes there will need to be a follow up and corrections video - what I meant to say was I'm wiring it the same way round as UK clubs i.e. positive they do use 2A plugs but I had some 5A plugs in the shed so just got some 5A sockets. I also forgot to mention this is the proof of concept one and it'll get ripped apart and rebuilt with call buttons and a direction switch at some point in the future

[@SwiftSlots]

@@slotr Cool 😀

[@slotr]

@@SwiftSlots this video also found the limit of what a 12 year old laptop can do with Premier so I wasn't in a hurry to edit it and export it again once I'd spotted 3 mistakes in my words 🤣

[@SwiftSlots]

@@slotr I make mistakes all the time, that's why I'd never do live stream or proper interview!

[@slotr]

@@SwiftSlots well as you highlighted one of mine that's set the topic for wednesday's coffee and a chat lol

[@frankg.sistojr.9276]

Thank you Dave for creating this box. I am halfway into building mine. I have a Trackmate set up, from my Scalextric track along with 3 wire set up for controllers. How do I connect that into this box? I want to use Trackmate for the analog side. Thank you for any help you can give me.

[@slotr]

I haven't tried that yet I'm happy with smart race in analogue mode, Martyr Ford has some alternatives on his channel

[@frankg.sistojr.9276]

Thanks for the reply. Is it possible to see a photo of the actual wiring to the CU? Thank you, Frank.

[@davidpinner4598]

Sorry for asking probably a dumb question, Im new to slot cars, I have a Carrera digital layout, the question is where is the analogue controller connected to, is it plugged into the three pin round socket.

[@slotr]

Yes it totally bypasses the digital side

[@hammertimeracing]

Hi Dave - Great video, thanks. If would like to connect my SCP3 with an analog cartrige (Black-Red-Yellow) banana plug. How does your controller sockets colors correspond to this?

[@slotr]

as you look at the front of the socket, right is + left is - and top is brake

[@hammertimeracing]

@@slotr Perfect - thank you

[@NaCalha]

Thanks for the video :-) I'm thinking about doing the same but I've been afraid of breaking the digital system. Wasn't it necessary to make any changes to the lane changing system?

[@slotr]

The double lane changers are fine, the singles need the jumper wire removing, there are videos about this on KZbin

[@NaCalha]

@@slotr thanks

[@davidpinner4598]

Changed both relays redid all the wiring still the same. one controller will run both cars at the same time whichever controller or lane you use both cars run off one controller .I thought id figured it out I remembered I had an extra feed jumper cable going to the far end of track ,but even after taking that off its still the same. there is something feeding both lanes but its very weak on one of the lanes. The plugs are wired positive as in a normal houshold plug.

[@slotr]

that's strange I did wonder about jumpers, you're right something somewhere must be bridging the two lanes, without testing it all with a multimeter I'm not sure what it could be

[@davidpinner4598]

@@slotr If I use one controller with the car on left lane the car goes fast if I put the car on the other lane same controller it goes slow, and it does the same with the other controller but visa versa.

[@slotr]

@@davidpinner4598 remote possibility came to my head... if you've pushed the wires into the sockets a long way it is (just) possible there's a short in behind there somewhere

[@davidpinner4598]

@@slotr OK thanks will check that out , I do have tendency to push wires hard.

[@davidpinner4598]

@@slotr Redid the wiring on the sockets ,still no joy, I've lost count how many times I've rewired everything just to make sure its correct. very frustrating and baffling.

[@davidpinner4598]

Is there any reason why you've not used the original power supply and connected that to the switch ,instead of using the variable one.

[@slotr]

I changed the supply because I can turn this up to 18.5V and run 1/24 and turn it down to 9v if I want for analogue too

[@davidpinner4598]

Sorry for the questions, can i use analogue scalextric hand controllers by fitting them to the three pin round plug@@slotr

[@slotr]

@@davidpinner4598 I don't know for sure but I think they're only two wire

[@davidpinner4598]

Ive followed your instructions to the letter and everything works on the digital side (still waiting for sockets for the analogue side ), can you let me know how to wire the three pin plug to the analogue controller (same ones as yours) the controller does not come with three pin plugs attached and Im sure its not wired the same as a normal plug. Thankyou for this video brilliant work.

[@slotr]

if you got the truspeed ones then looking at the open plug from the top (pins facing away from you): blue on the left, green-yellow at the top and brown on the right same as normal UK plug wiring

[@slotr]

[avoiding links as youtube gets upset by them] slotcarracing (dot) org (dot) uk tech section has a page on controller wiring

[@davidpinner4598]

Thankyou again for your patience with me asking questions, I wanted to make sure I wired it the same as your controller since Ive followed your digital/analogue box instructions and didnt want to make a mistake this late in the build.@@slotr

[@slotr]

@@davidpinner4598 You've done well to get so far so quickly, Wednesday coffee is a follow up video and includes a chat about an idea I've had to add track call buttons to this design in the future

[@daz1975ify]

Has anyone just used one digital and one analogue power base in line and just unplug one at a time . Probably back feed and blow something up but just wondered.

[@slotr]

you can't do that as the digital CU bridges both lanes you need to switch the pieces out either physically or with this kind of idea

[@davidpinner4598]

Ive done the wiring to the letter with the diagrams and explanations, digital works fine ,the analogue works weird , one controller will run both cars at the same time whichever controller or lane you use both cars run off one controller ,I noticed you only had one car at a time on the track .any suggestions.

[@slotr]

you musty have linked both lanes together somehow... wild guess ... have you wired it exactly... but got the left and right sides of the relays mixed up?

[@davidpinner4598]

@@slotr Ive redone and rechecked all the wiring ,still the same, ive used the same colour wires as you so I would not make a mistake, sorry to ask but have you tried it with two cars on your track on the analogue setting.The digital side works perfect. I am going to take it all apart and start from the beginning just to make sure.

[@davidpinner4598]

Ive redone everything and checked it is correctly wired sat at the side of the computer with your plans making sure its correct, Im stumped as to why its not working correctly. Both lanes work with the analogue controllers but one controller (either one) will make both cars move at same time, you can only run one car at a time ,very frustrating.@@slotr

[@slotr]

Have you got a single lane change curve section?

[@davidpinner4598]

no single lane curve, got straight single lane with digital button on handset@@slotr

[@davidpinner4598]

Is it possible I have a faulty relay, there is power going to both tracks , and its stronger on one track than the other. but its supposed to be separate for each controller, if that makes sense .Ive made the decision to order two new relay banks.

[@slotr]

that was my next thought, maybe it's a lazy relay

[@davidpinner4598]

@@slotr due tomorrow and will send the other two back, Sorry for all this too and fro questions, will let you know once sorted going to redo everything from scratch.

[@FliToTheMoon]

Hello Dave, I would like to reproduce your box but I cannot find the ref for the 4-channel 5V Relay Module "JQC-3FF-S-Z" 5VDC / 10A250VAC / 15A125VAC / 10A250VAC It is on Amazon in the photo but I receive the reference Réf. "SRD-05VDC-SL-C" 10A250VAC / 10A30VDC / 10A125VAC / 10A28VDC is there a difference will it work with this model ? Thanks

[@slotr]

that looks like the numbers are saying they work at other voltages e.g. 30V DC 28V DC etc... the listed voltage is the voltage needed to flip the relays, the USB transformer works at 5V DC so you will either need a different DC to DC transformer for those other ratings of relay module.

[@FliToTheMoon]

Thank you for your response, I understand that the SRD-05VDC-SL-C model will not work?

[@davidpinner4598]

Can someone cleverer than me tell me if I can add two led's near the switch one for digital and one for analogue to let me know when each one is on and where should the led.s be connected.

[@slotr]

not me, that's why i've not got the lights in there :D

[@bomamo9620]

Yes, you can. You would need to connenct a resistor before each LED, to reduce the Voltage, so that the LED won`t be damaged. The value of the Series-Resistor you can calculate out, if you know, how much Voltage arrives at the Toggle-Switch. LED`s always have to be runned with a Series-Resistor. You would need to drill two holes for the LED-Sockets, to clip it onto the Box, as well. To find out, were to connect it on, watch several clips here on YT, how to do so. Also you can find tons of informations in the Net, how to calculate the Serie-Resitor Value for the LED. Use your imagination and the internet for your plans. If you don`t know things, Google will be your souce, to ask for it ;-) If you have an electrician in your family, or as a friend, ask him. He can tell, or show you, how to do so, as well. 🙂

[@davidpinner4598]

@@bomamo9620 Thankyou. I have had a go and fitted led's with resistors, works ok. it now lights up to tell me if digital or analogue is on depending on position of the switch. just waiting for the sockets to arrive and the analogue controllers.

[@FliToTheMoon]

Help, I'm desperate to find the right model of the 4-way switch, it's impossible to find the model from the JQC-3FF-S-Z video on Amazon. When I order this JQC-3FF-S-Z model I receive an SRD-05VDC-SL-C and now a contact tells me that the equivalent of the JQC-3FF-S-Z is the JQC3F-05VDC-C!? I do not understand anything anymore. Can anyone help me a little?😭

[@slotr]

type 4pDT switch into ebay, something like item ID 255048139548 will do

[@FliToTheMoon]

Thanks Dave, I made a mistake it's good for the switch it's the DC 5V 230V 4 Channel Relay Module which I can't find

[@FliToTheMoon]

it's impossible to find the model from the JQC-3FF-S-Z video on Amazon. When I order this JQC-3FF-S-Z model I receive an SRD-05VDC-SL-C and now a contact tells me that the equivalent of the JQC-3FF-S-Z is the JQC3F-05VDC-C!?

[@slotr]

@@FliToTheMoon try item 203589866436 or similar

[@FliToTheMoon]

@@slotr Thank you Dave but as each time I order this reference I receive another one like at the moment an SRD-05VDC-SL-C (10A 250VAC / 10A 30VDC / 10A 125VAC / 10A 28VDC) and as I do not understand the difference I'll see if it's all toasted or not 🙃

[@NaTaS6789Say1-b]

Places liquid on his track, stop video and stop watching. Total lack of responsibility...!

[@slotr]

It would be irresponsible if I did it on someone else's track 😁