A "Better
Way" Iluminator Installation for BestTrack
The illuminator for the
BestTrack is frankly a compromise between the best solution, and what Judge
customers are normally able to accomplish at their location. These instructions
show how to improve the installation of your illuminators. You will need soldering
skills, and the ability to drill accurately located holes in your track.
1. This is the standard
illuminator supplied with the BestTrack Judge.
Note that assembly consists
of small circuit cards connected by cables that loop from lane to lane beneath
the track. The assembly is subject to damage if the loops are accidently snagged
during storage or transit.
By burying the wiring within
the track, the illuminators are protected from damage.
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2. To retrofit your BestTrack,
first use a soldering iron to remove all existing wiring, leaving the boards
in place. You could
strip off the jacket and reuse the existing wires, but it is recommended that
you use teflon-insulated wire for the final wiring step. Teflon does not melt.
Number all the track lanes
beginning with Number 1 as the left-most lane, as defined by the driver of the
car. Note that the direction of the car's travel is from the top of the photo
to the bottom. You will be disassembling the track, and it is important that
you reassemble it the same way.
Stick small pieces of masking
tape on the track's two outside edges. Mark them Lane 1, and the highest number
lane. This will remind you not to drill holes in them.
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3. Disassemble the finish
line track section into individual lanes.
Next, drill a 1/8"
diameter pilot hole through all interior sidewalls, making sure that they line
up with each other. Be precise, locating the hole centers exactly the same distance
from the ends of the lanes.It is vital that all hole centers are the same distance
from the ends. It is NOT vital that they be exactly under the finish
line
Vertically, locate all hole
centers exactly 0.60 inch above the bottom edge of the track See drawing below.
Use a center punch for precision.
A drill press is much better
than a hand drill. Enlarge
all holes to 1/4" diameter. Making a pilot hole first makes drilling much
easier.
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4. Locate all holes exactly
0.60 inches above track bottom.
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5. Make a 1/4" hole
on outside sidewall of Lane 1 to mount the connector shown here.
Locate this hole three inches
uphill or downhill from the finish line so that it does not interfere with the
mounting blocks.
Deburr all holes. The sharp
edges can cut through the wiring insulation and cause a short circuit. Deburring
can be done by carving off the burrs with a utility knife. It can also be done
by hand-twisting a large diameter drill bit or a countersink bit.
Mount the connector on Lane
1 using the supplied nut.
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6. Now, reassemble the track,
and then solder in the wires.
All boards are interconnected
by black wires attached to the board pattern marked "COM"
All boards are interconnected
by red wires attached to the pattern marked "+V"
The red and black wire from
the connector goes to +V and COM of Lane 1, respectively.
A green wire connects the
unmarked center patterns between the +V and COM patterns.
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7. This photo illustrates
the wiring more clearly. The wires are shortened for clarity.
The odd and even lane number
boards are slightly different, and not interchangible, so they are identified
by Lane Numbers on little labels if you get the components for a new installation.
The black cable is the external
removable power connection between the Judge and the illuminators.
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If you wish to retrofit
your BestTrack, send $19.00 (incuding shipping) for a "Better Way"
Kit. The kit contains: the finished removable external power cable, the socket,
colored teflon wires, cut to length with stripped ends, and a supply of solder.
If you are buying a new
Judge, let us know you want to bury your cables according to the instructions
above. We will include with your order the cable and separate numbered lane
boards completely as shown in Photo 6, along with wire and solder. It will come
with instructions. There is no charge for the components in this case.
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