16 replies to this topic

[Chris1810]

Armhair has a DiFalco hamd controller kit for sale for $140 bucks. It is designed to be fittied to a parma turbo controller. Has anyone seen/tried one of these conversions?

[stoo23]

Hi there, DiFalco controllers, could arguably be described as probably the most popular Pro Style controllers in the US, and in fact here in Aus' being able to be used for a variety of cars of varying power.

There are quite a few different Power, Brake and module options available, depending on Your desired area of usage, style of car etc.

Many people use them here in NSW and many local racers at say Hornsby Slot Cars use them.

The 'Kit' may be a bit tricky for someone not used to doing the kind of work necessary to build it into an effective controller but complete controllers are available built with the varying options/power, brake and resistive modules and are quite reasonably priced when one considers the added cost of the required Parma handles etc and the time involved in putting it all together.

I would suggest calling HSC, (whose website and contact details can be found via the Sponsor links on this site) and ask to speak to Wayne or James in regard to the controllers suitability, pricing and options for your intended usage.

I would heartily recommend them, as they are a quality item, made by a guy with Many years experience and involvement in the sport/hobby.
Jim Difalco is contactable as well, either directly via his web site or via SlotBlog and Many people could offer advice and or help as well via that site.

What style of cars/tracks are you wanting to use it with/on,..perhaps I could offer a bit more advice regarding the options etc.
Hope that helps

Edited by stoo23, 02 February 2011 - 06:13 PM.

[Chris1810]

[quote name='stoo23' timestamp='1296634091' post='147558']
Hi there, DiFalco controllers, could arguably be described as probably the most popular Pro Style controllers in the US, and in fact here in Aus' being able to be used for a variety of cars of varying power.

There are quite a few different Power, Brake and module options available, depending on Your desired area of usage, style of car etc.

Many people use them here in NSW and many local racers at say Hornsby Slot Cars use them.

The 'Kit' may be a bit tricky for someone not used to doing the kind of work necessary to build it into an effective controller but complete controllers are available built with the varying options/power, brake and resistive modules and are quite reasonably priced when one considers the added cost of the required Parma handles etc and the time involved in putting it all together.

I would suggest calling HSC, (whose website and contact details can be found via the Sponsor links on this site) and ask to speak to Wayne or James in regard to the controllers suitability, pricing and options for your intended usage.

I would heartily recommend them, as they are a quality item, made by a guy with Many years experience and involvement in the sport/hobby.
Jim Difalco is contactable as well, either directly via his web site or via SlotBlog and Many people could offer advice and or help as well via that site.

What style of cars/tracks are you wanting to use it with/on,..perhaps I could offer a bit more advice regarding the options etc.
Hope that helps


Hello Stu

I currently have a slot.it and a professor motor controller, both work well. The Slot.it has a huge range of adjustibility, which i feel i have 98% mastered. The PM is great controller, the brake pot needs to a higher ohmage resitor. I generally run no mag car on ferrodore, Mostly NSR and slot.it. Realy i was just wondering has anyone upgraded a parma turbo with the difalco KIt and how it was all going?

[Stu501]

I suggest you upgrade to the 30 band with interchangable resistor network. 290OHM resister for 1/32, 180 OHM for scale racing, and 148. 113, and 78 Ohm resistors for Gp and 16D, S16d, etc. racing.

Stu

[jazzbell]

I've just started racing with a Difalco controller,great investment

I brought the 30 band with the 290,but i find racing even the 32 scale cars with the 180
chip is just as good for my driving style. Great for my 24 scale cars.

I used to swear by my old Parma 15 ohm and no matter what other controller i brought i always went back to my original. I can say the old Parma is just my spare now.

regards shane a

team thunderbird

Edited by jazzbell, 05 February 2011 - 09:16 PM.

[Stu501]

Forgot to say the interchangable resistors are about $ 28.00 ea

Stu

[mattie4270]

30 band Difalco,what else can you say,the best controller in the world.Will run anything from an AFX car to a group 7 wing

[Ratracer]

I also purchased the DiFalco rcently love it. Also got the Custom Network chip with three sets of resistors to custom make the driving responce. Tried the 192 Ohm resistors after racing on Friday Night even better than the standard. I will try the mix and match with the other resistors 136 and 163 Ohms which can be run on the controller as just the one ohm resistanc or taylored with the three different resistors in the four banks of the curcuit board.

Still getting used to the controller and the spring is a little too stiff for me at the moment but still a fantastic controller.

Regards

Ray

Edited by Ratracer, 05 March 2011 - 05:09 PM.

[munter]

Quote

the best controller in the world

....guess you like it.


The Difalco I tried was great although it was heavier and had less brake power than my Carsteen/s.

[espsix]

This post came along at just the right time!
I've just ordered a Difalco with the 290ohm resistor network, plus a custom network to play with.
sounds like i made the right choice, can't wait for it to turn up!!

[Stu501]

 espsix, on 07 February 2011 - 08:24 AM, said:

This post came along at just the right time!
I've just ordered a Difalco with the 290ohm resistor network, plus a custom network to play with.
sounds like i made the right choice, can't wait for it to turn up!!

espsix,

As Mattie said above, it will run everything from HO thru Open G7 Wing. SO if you decide to jump the fence, and try Flexi or even Wing racing, just unplug the 290ohm and bang in a 113 or 78 ohm resistor.
Best money you ever spent on a controller

Stu

[espsix]

I'm looking forward to it turning up, I've spend the last two weeks looking at all the different controllers, and this is the only one that offered what I was after.
Plus it's got to be better than the one I'm using now!

[espsix]

 mattie4270, on 06 February 2011 - 02:24 PM, said:

30 band Difalco,what else can you say,the best controller in the world.

I've only had mine for a very shot time, but it's looking like your on the money!

 Ratracer, on 06 February 2011 - 08:38 PM, said:

I also purchased the DiFalco rcently love it. Also got the Custom Network chip with three sets of resistors to custom make the driving responce. Tried the 192 Ohm resistors after racing on Friday Night eaven better than the standard. I will try the mix and match with the other resistors 136 and 163 Ohms which can be run on the controller as just the one ohm resistanc or taylored with the three different resistors in the four banks of the curcuit board.

Still getting used to the controller and the spring is a little too stiff for me at the moment but still a fantastic controller.

Regards

Ray

sounds like i got the same as you, but i asked Jim for a light trigger spring, and he delivered.
light, but still with plenty of feel!

 munter, on 07 February 2011 - 03:41 AM, said:

Quote

the best controller in the world

....guess you like it.


The Difalco I tried was great although it was heavier and had less brake power than my Carsteen/s.

You need to try one with the brake bypass switch, 3 positions, adjustable brakes, full brakes, and momentary full brakes, which is great when you need full brakes on only one corner, and the switch is in the right spot so it can be used without having to search for it.



I'm glad i got Jim to build it for me, it's so well put together.

Edited by espsix, 05 March 2011 - 09:40 AM.

[Ratracer]

Hi Espsix tell me me about the brake bypass switch is it an easy mode or does it need to be done somewhere like Hornsby? Please post photo or send a link.

I have been experimenting with my modifyable chip and changed from the 192 ohms resistors to the 162 ohms the difference was stagering love it.

I will try the 136 ohms later on when I have some time and will also try mixing the resistors on the four rows of the chip but think that it would be difficult to be better than the 162.

One of our club members tried the controller last night and promptly handed it back after about ten laps stating that it too good and to smooth, he did not want to get too familiar with it prior to racing with his own controller.

Regards

Ray

[espsix]

hi Ray, the hardest part of the brake bypass would be finding the right switch, but you can buy them direct ( with instructions ) from Jim.
Give me a day or two, and I'll take some pics and get some info for you.

[Ratracer]

That would be great thanks espsix

Ray

[espsix]

Here's what i can give you Ray.


The brake bypass switch is the toggle on the corner of the board, in the position it's sitting in you have variable brakes, push it toward the red knob (the brake adjustment) it's in momentary full brake (bypass) mode (it bypasses the brake rheostat, so no resistance at all) until you let it go, then it goes back to the centre position (variable brakes), push it away from the red knob and you are in full brake (bypass mode), until you push it back to centre.

here's the other side.

The brake (red) wire comes up from the controller plug and is connected to the left terminal (closest to the T.C. knob) there is a small black wire that comes off that, and goes to both the right, and left terminal of the bypass switch.
the small wire that comes off the centre terminal of the bypass switch goes down to the brake post that the trigger touches with you let go of the trigger, also connected to the brake post is a little square thing, (i think it's this, "Circuit protection. Resetable fuse on brake circuit automatically starts working after hook up is corrected. Reverse polarity diode protects transistor from damage.", that is directly from the Difalco site), the other terminal on the square thing goes up to the centre terminal of the brake rheostst.


having said all that, i do think it might be easier to buy the kit from either Difalco, or Armchair, if they have them, as i could not find that kind of switch anywhere.
here's what you need.


DD337 - Brake bypass switch kit. On-off-momentary switch can be added to the controller to bypass the brake fuse and rheostat. This eliminates any extra resistance for improved full braking on non magnet cars. Can also be momentarily flipped for maximum braking on just one tight turn for better lap times. $8