I just purchased the 30012 GT Face Off. My table isn’t big enough so I will have to add to it. Your track set up is awesome. I like the straight aways and curves. It looks like it has everything. Great set up.
Nice setup. I noticed the Moron Avoidance System before you even made mention of it. Cool to see someone integrate something from my track considerations video. I had issues with the lap counting as well. Not with cars counting twice, but cars missing laps. It took a lot of tinkering with the COM port settings (baud rate, bit priority, stop bits, yada yada) to fix that. It's not totally fixed but happens very infrequently now. And, on the rare occasion it does happen restarting HSSRMS and powering the track down then back up clears it and we're good for the rest of the night. I'll take a look at my port settings on my race computer and post them here if you like.
Thanks for the comment "Johnnie" :) - Never even thought to check the com port settings (totally makes sense) - posting the port settings that you use would be helpful to me and any other viewers out there having the same problem. Cheers, Jeff
Hi Jeff, so pleased that your doing what you do. I’m a recently retired old guy that loved slot car racing from decades ago. Anyway, I’m planning on building a decent size carrera 124 digital track. It’s difficult figuring out where to start! Where to buy sets, are aftermarket wired controls better than wireless ones that come with sets. Ton more questions but don’t wanna be a pest! Lol thanks Dennis
Hi Dennis, Thanks for watching, the comments, and the questions. Pickup a set from your local hobby shop or, for online purchases, I recommend LEB Hobbies (www.lebhobbies.com/) (family owned and operated). Talk to Lynne and mention Jeff (Garage Maker Guy) with the Crowfoot Racers. LEB provides excellent customer service. I recommend getting a set with two wireless controllers. Then watch my fellow UA-camr "Johnnie Hobby" (he has a lot of great videos): ua-cam.com/video/fYwN3DThv5E/v-deo.html Re: controllers I am an old school hard-wired trigger operated controller (Professor Motor Commercial Track Controller) but those are no good for digital cars/tracks. The wireless technology has come a long way and they work very well. However, I prefer the trigger style versus the thumb controller that comes with the Carrera sets. I use a FrankenSlot "wire-or-less" controller that can be used with or without a cord and has a trigger for speed control and works with the Carrera wireless system out-of-the-box. Be safe and have fun! Cheers, Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
Hi Jeff, What a fantastic layout you have built. It's the best layout I have seen so far. Really appreciate the work you have done sharing you journey. I just started out with a couple of Carrera 132 digital sets and a bunch of extra track and have been searching for the best track I can find. I plan on setting up a table 18 X8 with an L section on the end to have workspace to have the cars and such. Great job- Would you share the autorennbahnplaner track plan or advise me where to start. Thanks again. Kevin
Hi Kevin, thanks for the great comment :) Shoot me an email at "the_def_j@yahoo.com" and I'll send you the '.trk' file for the track layout. Cheers, Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
Hello John, Thanks for watching and the question. My table is 8' x 16' with extensions for the parts of the layout that extend past the table. As for which set to start with that is personal preference. However, if I had to purchase a Carrera 1/24 set it would probably be the "23628 Carrera Digital 124 Double Victory Wireless+" (www.lebhobbies.com/23628-carrera-digital-124-double-victory-wireless-p-8475.html?cPath=457_615_465). This set seems to be the only 1/24 set from Carrera available in the US at the moment and it is currently out of stock (shipping in February - I think). Another option is to get a 1/32 Carrera set (which has the 1/24 scale track), get an aftermarket power supply (see my first slot car video description for links) and that will allow you to run 1/32 or 1/24 cars. Then pick out a couple of 1/24 cars that you want. In either case, you'll want to add the "30367 Carrera Digital 124/132 Extension Set" (www.lebhobbies.com/30367-carrera-digital-124132-extension-set-p-4830.html?cPath=517_519) to give you more lane changes and straight sections. Checkout "Johnnie Hobby's" recent "Expanding Your New Slot Car Track - Recommended Features to Add First" video (ua-cam.com/video/fYwN3DThv5E/v-deo.html) for some good tips. Let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers, Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
Do you know the brand of terminal block and jumpers? There’s a lot of cheap ones on Amazon but I don’t see the ones that come with the connectors as well. Would a bus bar do the same thing?
Here's a package similar to what I used: amazon.com/dp/B07Y21DTJ8/ They are cheap but are more than sufficient for wiring up a slot car track. Cheers, Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
What is the new control unit that you were talking about? Just another one of the same or a different product? I’d also like to hide that part of my setup
Hi Bonger, Thanks for watching and the question. Simple answer: just another 30352 Carrera Digital 124/132 Control Unit Not so simple answer: Be aware that all warranties from Carrera are null and void as soon as you open up the control unit. I bought a second one because I want to take my time and have a backup just in case things don't go so well. However, I do have a lot of experience with electronics so this will not be an issue for me but will be involved so I want to keep the track running while I work on breaking down the new control unit to remotely mount the control panel part of the control unit (aka: the part with all of the switches and buttons on it). I am also thinking about remote mounting the charging stations for the stock Carrera wireless controllers but that is at the bottom of a very long list of "things to do". Hope that answers your question. Be safe and have fun. Cheers, Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
Hi Oldskool62, Thanks for watching and the comment/question. The track plan is covered in great detail in the following video: ua-cam.com/video/teG_ml_gjXw/v-deo.html Let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers, Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
Hello Aaron, Thanks for watching and the question. My table is 8' x 16' with extensions for the parts of the layout that extend past the table. Cheers, Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
Looks solid! 👍🏻
I just purchased the 30012 GT Face Off. My table isn’t big enough so I will have to add to it. Your track set up is awesome. I like the straight aways and curves. It looks like it has everything. Great set up.
Love the layout. Still thinking about getting into this. Did as a kid and the kid still lives
Nice setup. I noticed the Moron Avoidance System before you even made mention of it. Cool to see someone integrate something from my track considerations video.
I had issues with the lap counting as well. Not with cars counting twice, but cars missing laps. It took a lot of tinkering with the COM port settings (baud rate, bit priority, stop bits, yada yada) to fix that. It's not totally fixed but happens very infrequently now. And, on the rare occasion it does happen restarting HSSRMS and powering the track down then back up clears it and we're good for the rest of the night. I'll take a look at my port settings on my race computer and post them here if you like.
Thanks for the comment "Johnnie" :) - Never even thought to check the com port settings (totally makes sense) - posting the port settings that you use would be helpful to me and any other viewers out there having the same problem. Cheers, Jeff
Both of you guys have been key inspiration to my putting my own track together (hey, I think that means you're both infectious!). Cheers!
Great layout and video thank you!
That is one of the nicest tracks I've seen!
I like your layout ..Just wondering if you could post a sectional plan and track list..Thanks
Hi Jeff, so pleased that your doing what you do. I’m a recently retired old guy that loved slot car racing from decades ago. Anyway, I’m planning on building a decent size carrera 124 digital track. It’s difficult figuring out where to start! Where to buy sets, are aftermarket wired controls better than wireless ones that come with sets. Ton more questions but don’t wanna be a pest! Lol thanks Dennis
Hi Dennis, Thanks for watching, the comments, and the questions.
Pickup a set from your local hobby shop or, for online purchases, I recommend LEB Hobbies (www.lebhobbies.com/) (family owned and operated). Talk to Lynne and mention Jeff (Garage Maker Guy) with the Crowfoot Racers. LEB provides excellent customer service. I recommend getting a set with two wireless controllers.
Then watch my fellow UA-camr "Johnnie Hobby" (he has a lot of great videos):
ua-cam.com/video/fYwN3DThv5E/v-deo.html
Re: controllers
I am an old school hard-wired trigger operated controller (Professor Motor Commercial Track Controller) but those are no good for digital cars/tracks. The wireless technology has come a long way and they work very well. However, I prefer the trigger style versus the thumb controller that comes with the Carrera sets. I use a FrankenSlot "wire-or-less" controller that can be used with or without a cord and has a trigger for speed control and works with the Carrera wireless system out-of-the-box.
Be safe and have fun!
Cheers,
Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
Thanks for the info! I’ll keep you posted on how I’m doing. Dennis
Hi Jeff, What a fantastic layout you have built. It's the best layout I have seen so far. Really appreciate the work you have done sharing you journey. I just started out with a couple of Carrera 132 digital sets and a bunch of extra track and have been searching for the best track I can find. I plan on setting up a table 18 X8 with an L section on the end to have workspace to have the cars and such. Great job- Would you share the autorennbahnplaner track plan or advise me where to start. Thanks again. Kevin
Hi Kevin, thanks for the great comment :)
Shoot me an email at "the_def_j@yahoo.com" and I'll send you the '.trk' file for the track layout.
Cheers,
Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
What is total length and size of board? Also, I want digital 1:24, what set do I start with? Thank u!
Hello John, Thanks for watching and the question.
My table is 8' x 16' with extensions for the parts of the layout that extend past the table.
As for which set to start with that is personal preference. However, if I had to purchase a Carrera 1/24 set it would probably be the "23628 Carrera Digital 124 Double Victory Wireless+" (www.lebhobbies.com/23628-carrera-digital-124-double-victory-wireless-p-8475.html?cPath=457_615_465). This set seems to be the only 1/24 set from Carrera available in the US at the moment and it is currently out of stock (shipping in February - I think).
Another option is to get a 1/32 Carrera set (which has the 1/24 scale track), get an aftermarket power supply (see my first slot car video description for links) and that will allow you to run 1/32 or 1/24 cars. Then pick out a couple of 1/24 cars that you want.
In either case, you'll want to add the "30367 Carrera Digital 124/132 Extension Set" (www.lebhobbies.com/30367-carrera-digital-124132-extension-set-p-4830.html?cPath=517_519) to give you more lane changes and straight sections.
Checkout "Johnnie Hobby's" recent "Expanding Your New Slot Car Track - Recommended Features to Add First" video (ua-cam.com/video/fYwN3DThv5E/v-deo.html) for some good tips.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Cheers,
Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
@@garagemakerguy1808 thank u so much!!! So incredibly helpful. Getting started is very confusing. Ur track simply looks awesome!
What did you use for the grass? Looks awesome
Hi, how are your distribution blocks connected to the power supply?
It is awesome
Hello TS, Thanks for watching and the comment.
Cheers,
Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
Do you know the brand of terminal block and jumpers? There’s a lot of cheap ones on Amazon but I don’t see the ones that come with the connectors as well. Would a bus bar do the same thing?
Here's a package similar to what I used:
amazon.com/dp/B07Y21DTJ8/
They are cheap but are more than sufficient for wiring up a slot car track.
Cheers,
Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
Awesomeness
What is the new control unit that you were talking about? Just another one of the same or a different product? I’d also like to hide that part of my setup
Hi Bonger,
Thanks for watching and the question.
Simple answer: just another 30352 Carrera Digital 124/132 Control Unit
Not so simple answer: Be aware that all warranties from Carrera are null and void as soon as you open up the control unit. I bought a second one because I want to take my time and have a backup just in case things don't go so well. However, I do have a lot of experience with electronics so this will not be an issue for me but will be involved so I want to keep the track running while I work on breaking down the new control unit to remotely mount the control panel part of the control unit (aka: the part with all of the switches and buttons on it).
I am also thinking about remote mounting the charging stations for the stock Carrera wireless controllers but that is at the bottom of a very long list of "things to do".
Hope that answers your question.
Be safe and have fun.
Cheers,
Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
would there be a possibility of getting the track plan?
Hi Oldskool62, Thanks for watching and the comment/question. The track plan is covered in great detail in the following video:
ua-cam.com/video/teG_ml_gjXw/v-deo.html
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Cheers,
Jeff
(Garage Maker Guy)
That would have to be the best layout I have see. AND I have been looking for a few years now.
What is the size of your layout?
Hello Aaron, Thanks for watching and the question.
My table is 8' x 16' with extensions for the parts of the layout that extend past the table.
Cheers,
Jeff (Garage Maker Guy)
1:40
Slots, RC and arcades? Can we be friends?