H.O. Slot & Slotless Compatibilities

_____Power to Car Compatibilities_____

There are several considerations for power to car compatibility.

1. Generally speaking Slot cars use 12 - 24 Volt Direct Current (DC) to power the vehicles around the track.

2. Tyco's US1 Electric Trucking vehicles use a 6.9 Volt DC transformer to power vehicles around the track.

3. Slotless cars use 12 - 25 Volts Alternating Current (AC) to power vehicles around the track.

4. Diode Isolated Vehicles use 12 - 25 Volts Alternating Current (AC) to power vehicles around the track.

Voltages below 30 Volts are considered low voltage and will not harm people or pets. A tingling sensation may be felt and deemed undesirable though.  Important considerations include:

1. The higher the Voltage the faster the cars will move around the track.

2. The higher the Voltage the faster the cars and controllers will get hot.

3. The higher the Voltage the harder it will be to keep the cars on the track.

4. The higher the Voltage the stronger the tingling you will feel, should you touch a live track.

Battery verses Transformer Considerations:

1. DC power for slot cars can be supplied by either batteries or from AC to DC transformers. DC Transformers plug into AC wall outlets (110-120VAC 60Hz / 220VAC 50Hz) and convert the AC to DC before they are connected to the controllers and track. DC Transformers provide a continuous voltage while batteries provide a decreasing voltage as long as they continue to provide any power.

2. AC power for Slotless cars can only be supplied by an AC transformer, since batteries can only generate DC. AC Transformers plug into AC wall outlets (110-120VAC 60Hz / 220VAC 50Hz) and convert the AC to low voltage AC before connecting to the controllers and track. Wiring diagrams for various tracks and power supplies can be viewed at Free Stuff!: Wiring Diagrams.

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Email: j2@modelmotorist.com

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