Jump to content

Ssd Pb4 Issues


shadow_rusty

Recommended Posts

Didn't get to test much as my other 3 drivers went to their uncles for the weekend...

 

A very quick test tonight looks promising...

Changes are, lane changer powered externally and the jags are now magless...

 

More testing needed... Hopefully tomorrow night...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Whilst that's true, the PB4 is still better than analog for me...

I may be getting another pb4 as part of a selection of track soon, so I will probably just double my current capabilities with a master/slave setup which should keep me satisfied till I can afford an APB...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have the PB4 running on my track using a toshiba 15v 5a transformer and have had no major issues.

Having said that though I don't have any lane changers, it is purely to allow cars to run on the one track.

I have had 4 running at one time without a hitch, only done this a couple of times though. mostly only two or three cars running at once

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Okay, it seems that it was the lane changers causing me the issues...

 

All 4 Cars (3 with magnets), 1x unpowered lane changer, and 2x powered lane changers, and 45 mins of racing and all good...

It was a more technical track, but it still proves that 4 cars with 2 changers doesn't work...

 

In a couple of days I will rebuilt the 'kit' track (which definately had issues previously) with powered changers, and magnets in all the cars and retest...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, tested the kit track with the 2 lane changers powered off a seperate power source, and hey presto, problem solved... No more cutouts. yay...

The cars still slow down under load, but that's to be expected...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, looks like the powerbase will be heading back for warranty after all...

Controller port 3 just stopped working today...

 

Setup the track today, ran all 4 cars for about an hour, switched off the power, came back half an hour later and car 3 wouldn't drive...

Switched controllers arround, re-id'd cars, and all other ports work correctly, just not port 3...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Got my PB4 replaced under warrenty...

Back to a fully functional PB4... Well, as functional as it should be.

 

Interestingly, apparently Scalextric no longer offer the PB4 as a spare part.

The only way to get one is via old stock, warrenty replacement, or in a full track set...

 

Won't be long till the PB4 will cease to exist...

US Scalextric don't include it in their full track sets, the lucky buggers get the PB6 (APB)...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I've had a chance to put the new PB4 through it's paces, and it's true that no 2 pb4's are built the same...

 

I've tested 3x 'Vented' PB4's...

 

My Old one (which failed), worked fine with 2x Scaley Cars, 2x Auto Art Cars, 1x Lane changer.

My Borthers one can only cope with 2x Scaley Cars, 1x AutoArt Car, and 1x Lane Changer.

 

My new replacement one can cope with 4x Scaley cars, 1x AutoArt Cat and 3x Lane Changers...

I believe that my replacement one is a repaired by Scaley one as the staff member got it from under the counter, not from a set... It also had a few surface scratches...

 

Very, very happy with this one...

If they all were built like this, they would have not recieved such a bad name...

 

 

Edit: Thanks MIH and Riko for your knowledge, advice and assistance...

 

 

PS. Still can't wait to upgrade to a APB6... lol.

Edited by shadow_rusty
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My PB4 only lasted 5 minutes before killing it's self and this was only with one car on the track. (Must have shorted the rails, and my 13.8 volt 20 ampere power supply blue the 3 of the PB4's 17 Ampere rated output MOSFETs)

 

As it was a new grey import, I fixed it myself and spent almost as much on parts as getting a new one. One good point is I learnt how they work on the inside.

 

I recommend to anyone running these on a 5+ Ampere power supply please add a 5 ampere fast blow fuse on the DC power line in, as the internal one did not blow quick enough.

 

My fixed PB4 has now been running for a few weeks, but yet to load test it with 4 cars.

 

Regards,

Phillip.

Edited by QRphil
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13.8v is pretty much on the lower limit of the input voltage for a pb4...

They are designed for 15v (Which gives 12v to the car motor).

 

You can remove / bypass 2 of the voltage dropping diodes (D2, D3, D4) which should make the 13.8v power supply the correct voltage...

The PB4 schematic is at http://electricimages.co.nz/SSD_Control.ashx#tab21207

 

Did you use the same power mosfets, or an equivalent ones?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, 13.8 volts is too low, even with one of the internal voltage drop diode shorted. (Only two voltage drop diodes in the V6 PCB of the PB4 ) But 20 Ampere is enough to kill a PB4!

 

I am now using a 15 volt 5 ampere Toshiba power supply.

 

I could not have fixed the the PB4 without the useful schematic http://electricimages.co.nz/SSD_Control.ashx#tab21207. I owe him a big thank you.

 

Suitable SMD MOSFETs are available from Element 14, but I did not want to wait for the post man, so I did a dodgy modification and used TO-220 case MOSFETs (IRF9540N and BUZ71) from the local Jaycar with heat sinks. Only the IRF9540N has a better sightly better power output of 23 Ampere.

 

Regards,

Phillip.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I, purely by chance, have used a Toshiba 15v 5a supply since I got my PB4.

The Scaley ones were $80 so I hunted round the house and stole the kids laptop power supply.

Have never had one iota of a problem with it sop can definitely recommend it,

And replacement for the kids comp was only 10 bucks. Win win all round

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's a big thread on the Toshiba power supplies on another forum.

Basically, they are better...

 

I have one here, and my brother has one too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As most of my cars have 14.8 volt motor, a 16 volt power supply would be better. But the Toshiba style power supply is doing a good job at the moment and very good value for the price.

 

I may upgrade to a 0-16 volt variable power supply in the future, so it is easier to dial back the power for visiting kids (Big and small).

 

Another popular mod is to replace the diode on the decoder chip with 3 Ampere Schottky diodes, Jaycar ZR1025, that have less of a voltage drop. I have done this on one car but it is a bit fiddly, but does help get a little bit more power to the motor.

 

Regards,

Phillip.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Members

    No members to show

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      4,981
    • Most Online
      1,324

    Newest Member
    BS Slot Cars
    Joined
×
×
  • Create New...