Great video! I’ve done this with my track, but took it one step farther. Since I couldn’t justify the cost of wireless controllers, and was already planning on extending my controller cables, I decided to make three of my five call button junction boxes pull double duty. I cut the offset RJ-12 plugs from my controllers, leaving a pigtail to splice into; and I crimped standard RJ-11 plugs onto the controllers. Then, I spliced into the pigtails and extended them in pairs to the call button boxes. (1 & 2 to the first, 3 & 4 to the second, 5 & 6 to the third.) I carefully cut holes in the junction boxes to accept RJ-11 modular jacks. After snapping them into place, I reinforced each with a healthy glob of hot glue. Now these three call buttons each act as a driver station for a pair of controllers. (The other two are for marshals.) You just put your car on the track, plug your controller into the port on the side of the call button box and you’re good to go. With a 17 x 6 foot table and over 75 ft of track, we couldn’t all be huddled around the CU. Now we’ve got elbow room easy access to a call button from everywhere. Thanks for the video. Keep up the good work! 👍🏼
Nice video and explanation. I went through similar iterations on a call button. Actually did something similar on my previous SCX track. Out of interest, did you consider using the Smart Race Connect app which allows for individual driver info stations and call buttons for each driver on their cell phones? When racing we currently use that app which allows for a VSC mode, virtual safety cars. During this mode The app announces who caused the stoppage, slows down all traffic on the track to a user defined preset slower speed, and automatically restarts the race after a user determined VSC duration. This avoided having to modify the CU.
I fully understand. For me have now used both types, I prefer the mushroom call button also. I see my drivers fumbling trying to hit the cell phone button, and found it much easier to just slap a button. Am thinking about going back to the call button approach and your video will be. Tremendous guide. Thanks again for putting the info out there.
Tom, Thanks for making this video. If you could just clarify how the call buttons connect to each other before the control unit. I’m not very knowledgeable regarding electronics. Thanks Tom
just run a wire (2 conductor) from each call button to the other. It doesn't matter what side of the wire goes to what side of the button. It's just like hooking up a set of speakers. Just make sure if you are using the buttons in the video that you have the wire connected to the correct posts.
Yes you could use a hub. It works both ways. You can wire them all direct to the main connection coming out of the controller, or you can daisy chain them. I wired the close ones directly back and daisy chained a couple that were fairly far from the main connection (to save wire).
Here it is if you can not find it in the description. amzn.to/43Ho9km * It is an associate link so I get a small percentage if you buy from the link above.
@@tomsidener Thanks Tom. Good to hear. I bought three of them. I am located in Upstate NY. What region of the country are you in? I'm always looking for some to race with.
@Ayera11 I have another video where I show how to communicate with smart race. I have a link to some code in that video description you can look at. Unfortunately I do not have the code to stop the race because I do not own that smart race module. The module to yellow flag the race is an add on module I have not purchased.
Here is a link to that video ruclips.net/video/ALt0CYZ2Pqo/видео.html Here is a link to the code. tomsidenerpoems.blogspot.com/2023/12/wifi-board-include-httpsarduino.html
Great video! I’ve done this with my track, but took it one step farther. Since I couldn’t justify the cost of wireless controllers, and was already planning on extending my controller cables, I decided to make three of my five call button junction boxes pull double duty.
I cut the offset RJ-12 plugs from my controllers, leaving a pigtail to splice into; and I crimped standard RJ-11 plugs onto the controllers. Then, I spliced into the pigtails and extended them in pairs to the call button boxes. (1 & 2 to the first, 3 & 4 to the second, 5 & 6 to the third.) I carefully cut holes in the junction boxes to accept RJ-11 modular jacks. After snapping them into place, I reinforced each with a healthy glob of hot glue. Now these three call buttons each act as a driver station for a pair of controllers. (The other two are for marshals.)
You just put your car on the track, plug your controller into the port on the side of the call button box and you’re good to go. With a 17 x 6 foot table and over 75 ft of track, we couldn’t all be huddled around the CU. Now we’ve got elbow room easy access to a call button from everywhere.
Thanks for the video. Keep up the good work! 👍🏼
Excellent Idea!!! I may have to try your mod!
Thank you! I am thinking about doing this on the track. This would be great to have. Been wanting to add this to the track.
Race On!
If you run into any issues, just post me a message.
Got all my parts and I'll be doing this mod in the very near future.
This is one of the best mods I have done to my track. Makes racing (especially kids) way more fun.
Nice video and explanation. I went through similar iterations on a call button. Actually did something similar on my previous SCX track. Out of interest, did you consider using the Smart Race Connect app which allows for individual driver info stations and call buttons for each driver on their cell phones? When racing we currently use that app which allows for a VSC mode, virtual safety cars. During this mode The app announces who caused the stoppage, slows down all traffic on the track to a user defined preset slower speed, and automatically restarts the race after a user determined VSC duration. This avoided having to modify the CU.
Yes I considered that but the button solution was better for my grandkids. They love to smash the buttons and I don't worry if they break them.
I fully understand. For me have now used both types, I prefer the mushroom call button also. I see my drivers fumbling trying to hit the cell phone button, and found it much easier to just slap a button. Am thinking about going back to the call button approach and your video will be. Tremendous guide. Thanks again for putting the info out there.
Tom,
Thanks for making this video. If you could just clarify how the call buttons connect to each other before the control unit. I’m not very knowledgeable regarding electronics. Thanks Tom
just run a wire (2 conductor) from each call button to the other. It doesn't matter what side of the wire goes to what side of the button. It's just like hooking up a set of speakers. Just make sure if you are using the buttons in the video that you have the wire connected to the correct posts.
Thanks.
👍👍Nice upgrade I would have done exactly the same if I had that powerbase!
It was watching your races that really made me buckle down and figure it out. I really like the way your system works.
Thanks for this. Is there a picture of how you connected the three buttons. could you use a hub or is soldering them together a better option?
Yes you could use a hub. It works both ways. You can wire them all direct to the main connection coming out of the controller, or you can daisy chain them. I wired the close ones directly back and daisy chained a couple that were fairly far from the main connection (to save wire).
Great job, this is something I want to do on my track as well
Thanks for sharing
Subscribed
Awesome! Thank you!
Hi Tom. Nice idea. Do you have the link to the buttons?
Thanks, Scott
Yes it is in the description below, just click more.
Here it is if you can not find it in the description.
amzn.to/43Ho9km
* It is an associate link so I get a small percentage if you buy from the link above.
@@tomsidener Thanks Tom. Good to hear. I bought three of them. I am located in Upstate NY. What region of the country are you in? I'm always looking for some to race with.
I am in Illinois
Can these call buttons used with your carrera analog to didital conversion box
I'm building a box now
Thanks for that info
Banzai
Yes I have them both on my track. They should work in both modes.
@@tomsidener thanks for responding
Box is almost done
Wish we could insert pictures here
@@tomsidener do you have facebook messenger so I can send you pics
@@tomsidenerdo you have Facebook messenger I will send you pictures
Curious how you would have the arduino communicate with smart race. Looking for a solution that I don't have to open my control unit.
@Ayera11 I have another video where I show how to communicate with smart race. I have a link to some code in that video description you can look at. Unfortunately I do not have the code to stop the race because I do not own that smart race module. The module to yellow flag the race is an add on module I have not purchased.
Here is a link to that video ruclips.net/video/ALt0CYZ2Pqo/видео.html
Here is a link to the code. tomsidenerpoems.blogspot.com/2023/12/wifi-board-include-httpsarduino.html
Thanks I’ll check it out!!