How to run analog on digital Carrera

[hotrod]

Hello all, name is Rodney “HotRod” and I am new to the group. Have ran one time with some of the folks over at Dennis’s house. I introduce myself to you all with some questions; I’m trying to run analog and I’d love to use my Carrera digital in order to do this. So more questions here:

- I cannot seem to get tek slot so that is not an option. So I assume just getting an evolution regular start base would be the next go to. However I am not sure what to get? There seems to be an old evolution base with European power and a newer one that uses Ethernet connections?


- I only have Carrera digital controllers so I’m curious what type of controller connections do you all have and what aftermarket’s are you all using?

- Anyone selling aftermarket controllers?

thanks for your feedback all, it is much appreciated. 

[hotrod]

Also see here my track layout. Let me know what y’all think 

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[Jim W]

In looking at your track, I don't see any digital lane changes in the picture. If your track has all analog track pieces, no lane changers, you can use the Carrera "standard" base which would have a plug in for the power supply and the "3 pin" standard Carrera controllers. Using this would limit your use of other parts, such as adjustable power supplies and aftermarket controllers. On my Carrera analog track, it does not use the Carrera power base and all of my connections are direct to the track and use aftermarket parts; adjustable power supply, adjustable electronic controllers, driver station hookups and a "Trackmate" timing system. These are all things that are used when the club has a race at a host's house or at Colpar. The Carrera standard controllers are a resistor controller that is operated by using a thumb plunger. All of the Modern electronic and most of the resistor controllers are operated by using a finger controller nowadays.

Most of the guys use an adjustable controller by Professor Motor. We run our tracks at about 10 volts, so we would use the "2110" controller, a low voltage controller. This controller is made to work in the voltage range that we use on our tracks. Other electronic controllers will work, but this one from Professor motor is designed to operate in the 10 to 14 volt range, which allows the "sensitivity" knob to be centered for our use vs. a controller that is designed for 14 to 18 volts. These controllers use alligator clips to fasten to the three power screws on the "driver station" hookups. (Note the Carrera power base is wired for "Negative Polarity", so the 2110 Professor Motor controller could not be used with the Carrera power base.) (When we have rewired our tracks, we use the now common "Positive Polarity" for wiring our tracks.) (With an electronic controller the polarity of the controller must match the track wiring, or the controller may be damaged if used on the wrong track.)

We have a couple members that have digital Carrera tracks that can be used with analog cars and controllers. I know they are using a special "box" to do the conversion from digital to analog, which may be the "tek slot" you mentioned. Dennis is one of those owners, so he would know the answers to the conversion.

Jim W

[amiatanut/marc.gosselin]

Rodney, im Marc Gosselin, met you at Dennis’s. I have a digital track that i run both analog (with analog controllers) and analog with digital controllers. To run analog with the digital controllers you do need the Tek-slot box. THey are not being made currently due to shortages at Carrera. If you want to come checkout my layout give me a call or text 603-568-2735. Im in Mead, not too far from you.

PS - im hosting a race on Wednesday August 31, open at 6.

Marc