shorty05 Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 hey there have just found this forum. have been reading a few comments can someone tell what are power taps and how do you install them and where do you get them. my track is on a 7.5 sq mtr table and has raised sections and covers most of the table. any help would be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeGas Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 Hi Shorty, Welcome to the forum, A power tap is simply a wire connecting one section to another on a track layout, this is done via the shortest route to reduce voltage drop. The wire should be of reasonable size to be able to convey the current, I use 10amp automotive wire. If you have a track say 20m long you would want to have a tap from the zero point to the 10m mark to ensure consistent voltage supply. Have a look at my home track in the link below (note this is a one lane track) I have placed a power tap midway between points X & B on the first diagram that connects the lane running right to its return running left. To install them use whatever means practical, on a plastic track sand back the underside of the track rail and solder is probably the best go. On my routered track I used car battery terminals with the pin end bent 90 degrees and recessed into the track with the connection tube dropped through a drilled hole with a wire soldered to it. Quote Cheers Grant . Home Track..........Corvette C1 Build..........McLaren M1A Build..........Maserati 300S Build..........Allard J2 Build..........50's Diner..........Iso Griffo A3C 3D Printed Adjustable Chassis..........3D Print Projects If life gives you lemons, take them, free s#!t is cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shorty05 Posted April 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 thanks grant will give it ago and see what happens thanks ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeGas Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 I forgot to mention, if you are solder ignorant there is an easier way. You can buy booster cables with clips, but it can be an expensive way to go. I thought scalextric did some but could not find. http://www.armchairracer.com.au/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=booster https://www.pendleslotracing.co.uk/ds-racing-carrera-booster-cable.html Quote Cheers Grant . Home Track..........Corvette C1 Build..........McLaren M1A Build..........Maserati 300S Build..........Allard J2 Build..........50's Diner..........Iso Griffo A3C 3D Printed Adjustable Chassis..........3D Print Projects If life gives you lemons, take them, free s#!t is cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slotspeed Posted April 7, 2018 Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 Hi Shorty, welcome! I am also a relative newcomer. What type of track are you running on? For Carrera its a bit different as the rails are stainless steel so you can't solder them. The Carrera power taps are quite expensive and if you have a soldering iron and two passive crossover sections you can probably solder some flying/jumper leads from the short jumper wires at the crossover point between one section to another section for a very cheap hack. Be very careful of the polarity so you don't burn out anything. Not sure if that trick would work with any of the other makes. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussieslotter Posted May 5, 2018 Report Share Posted May 5, 2018 (edited) Theory is same for all track systems analogue and digital Edited May 5, 2018 by aussieslotter Quote Smoke, mirrors and obsolescence. It’s a jungle out there. www.scorpiuswireless.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slotspeed Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 (edited) Not sure if you were referring to my post, but I meant I am not sure if the crossovers of other makes have the copper flex underneath joining the lane break for the crossover. SInce I posted that, I have realised from experience how annoying passive crossovers are! Just disruptive to the driving flow of a circuit in my view. (no, not the current flow ) Edited May 21, 2018 by Slotspeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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