Scorpius Slot Car System

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Escrito originalmente por Guest Antrax en 27 de Marzo del 2008

Hi Guys,Just fixed two more glitches.
1)One of the ID problems was due to the fact that the throotle needs no output for 5 seconds prior to programming, however the Superslot (SSD UK) controllers were not returning to zero, thus interfering with the programming process. Firmware change to raise the zero threshold on throttle implemented, fixed.
2)I made a mistake in the identification process. The car should be on the rails for no more than ten seconds before programming otherwise its designed to shutdown.
So two more glitches fixed.
To beta testers: I need to test again prior to shipping. This will be a 2 week delay.
Rick

Hola Chicos,
Resueltos dos problemas más.
1) uno de los problemas de la identificación se debe al hecho de que el acelerador necesita que no exista salida durante 5 segundos antes de la programación, sin embargo los controladores del sistema Superslot (SSD de Reino Unido) no vuelven a cero interfiriendo, de esta forma, con el proceso de programación. Se ha realizado un cambio en el Firmware [ programación base de los controladores ] para elevar el umbral del cero, resuelto.
2) Cometí un error en el proceso de identificación: el coche debe de estar en el carril durante un máximo de 10 segundos antes de la programación, en caso contrario ha sido diseñado para apagarse. Así pues, dos problemas más resueltos.
Para los beta testers: Necesito probar de nuevo antes de la entrega. Esto supondrá un retraso de 2 semanas.
Rick
Editado 27 de Marzo del 2008 por Antrax

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Escrito originalmente por Guest injectorman en 5 de Abril del 2008
Hi,
We have almost completed fixing glitches and will be retesting at PhilR's Ninco track next week. afte this the Version I chip will no longer be used for prototyping. We have the new generation version II being made next week which eventually will be the final version. Will post results of testing shortly.
Rick

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Escrito originalmente por Guest Antrax en 5 de Abril del 2008

Hi,We have almost completed fixing glitches and will be retesting at PhilR's Ninco track next week. afte this the Version I chip will no longer be used for prototyping. We have the new generation version II being made next week which eventually will be the final version. Will post results of testing shortly.
Rick

Hola,
casi hemos terminado de arreglar los fallos y vamos a probar nuevamente en la pista de PhilR la próxima semana. Tras esto la versión I del chip [circuito] no será ya usada para prototipado. Tendremos la nueva generación versión II comenzando a fabricarse la próxima semana que eventualmente será la versión definitiva. Mandaré los resultados de los test en breve.
Rick

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Escrito originalmente por Guest injectorman en 15 de Abril del 2008
Hi Guys,
Scorpius Test Track Routed Timber
Heres the CAD drawing of my new proposed digital timber routed track.
36 metres
8 m pit lane
2-3 lanes
Bi-directional
Legend:
Red= lanes1-3
Blue= Best line
Yellow=Borders
Aqua=Pits

Rick
Editado 15 de Abril del 2008 por injectorman

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Escrito originalmente por Guest Antrax en 15 de Abril del 2008

Hi Guys,Scorpius Test Track Routed Timber
Heres the CAD drawing of my new proposed digital timber routed track.
36 metres
8 m pit lane
2-3 lanes
Bi-directional
Legend:
Red= lanes1-3
Blue= Best line
Yellow=Borders
Aqua=Pits
Rick

Aquí está el dibujo CAD de mi propuesta para una pista de madera acanalada digital.
36 metros
8 m pit lane
2-3 carriles
Bi-direccional

Leyenda:
Rojo= Carriles 1-3
Azul= Carril óiptimo
Amarillo= Bordes
Cian= Boxes
Rick

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Escrito originalmente por Guest injectorman en 27 de Abril del 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Guys,
Just got back from PJR Racing (PhilR's shop). Another 900 miles to the tally, phew!
Preparing for next weekends meet meant pre testing all 16 cars and throttles. I took a couple of spares of each just in case.
Once again thankyou to Phil for use of his facilities. Much appreciated.
We had a great afternoon/night. The track was in great shape.
We had a few glitches.
One car ran rough, and sometimes came to a halt, but after swapping cars we found it was just a bad connection.
One glitch was cars running on at the end of straights. These were throttle related and generally from standard SSD ones we are using. Cant wait to work on a hall sensor or try the Slot.it controller. But thats another project. Swapping throttles eliminated the Scorpius chip from being the culprit.
Another quirky glitch is if two or more throttles are assigned to the same ID cars can sometimes run rough. Luckily the introduction of a PIN code will prevent this in future. Good thinking John.
One interesting quirk was no lane change was possible on car ID 16. Easy to fix, just a firmware tweak.
So this is a massive improvement from the last trip to Phils. I think we have learnt as much as we are going to learn from Version I chip so after next weekend its onto Version II. The version I chips will become redundant.
On a seperate note at one stage we had the power from the Ninco PB to the track disconnected, but not the wires to the PB deadstrips. We then connected the DS3800 PSU straight to the rails for Scorpius power.
Worked a treat.
Next stage for Phils track is to introduce Lane Brain for lap times with 16 car IDs.
We now have 16 tested cars and throttles ready for a race meet at Phils next weekend.
So Im learning more and more how important the throttle is. Its where it all begins. If the throttle is only 95%, then 95% performance is all you can expect.
Each SSD controller Im using has a slightly different feel and/or throttle curve.
Im thinking should I just make a conversion chip for the Slot.it controller and take advantage of the hall sensor?
Phil reported some lane change misses however every lane change I tried worked for both test sessions. Im guessing 400/400. With Ninco chipped cars success rate of 95% for single LCs and around 80% success rate for XLC's isnt uncommon. So I can say now that the Ninco lane change glitch reported in various forums is actually chip related, but thats another story. Good to see Scorpius got it right
100% success rate on lap counting, car and throttle ID programming, and brake % adjust.
A great feature is the the abilty to use a combination of % adjustable dynamic braking and button braking at the same time. Quicker lap times without a doubt.
So Im really happy the gear turned upin the mail, even if it was 2 weeks late.
I think the glitches relating directly to Scorpius was just car 16 not being able to change lanes.
This puts us in a position where we are really confident the new Version II car chip will be very close during initial testing.
Rick

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Escrito originalmente por Guest Antrax en 29 de Abril del 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hi Guys,
Just got back from PJR Racing (PhilR's shop). Another 900 miles to the tally, phew!
Preparing for next weekends meet meant pre testing all 16 cars and throttles. I took a couple of spares of each just in case.
Once again thankyou to Phil for use of his facilities. Much appreciated.
We had a great afternoon/night. The track was in great shape.
We had a few glitches.
One car ran rough, and sometimes came to a halt, but after swapping cars we found it was just a bad connection.
One glitch was cars running on at the end of straights. These were throttle related and generally from standard SSD ones we are using. Cant wait to work on a hall sensor or try the Slot.it controller. But thats another project. Swapping throttles eliminated the Scorpius chip from being the culprit.
Another quirky glitch is if two or more throttles are assigned to the same ID cars can sometimes run rough. Luckily the introduction of a PIN code will prevent this in future. Good thinking John.
One interesting quirk was no lane change was possible on car ID 16. Easy to fix, just a firmware tweak.
So this is a massive improvement from the last trip to Phils. I think we have learnt as much as we are going to learn from Version I chip so after next weekend its onto Version II. The version I chips will become redundant.
On a seperate note at one stage we had the power from the Ninco PB to the track disconnected, but not the wires to the PB deadstrips. We then connected the DS3800 PSU straight to the rails for Scorpius power.
Worked a treat.
Next stage for Phils track is to introduce Lane Brain for lap times with 16 car IDs.
We now have 16 tested cars and throttles ready for a race meet at Phils next weekend.
So Im learning more and more how important the throttle is. Its where it all begins. If the throttle is only 95%, then 95% performance is all you can expect.
Each SSD controller Im using has a slightly different feel and/or throttle curve.
Im thinking should I just make a conversion chip for the Slot.it controller and take advantage of the hall sensor?
Phil reported some lane change misses however every lane change I tried worked for both test sessions. Im guessing 400/400. With Ninco chipped cars success rate of 95% for single LCs and around 80% success rate for XLC's isnt uncommon. So I can say now that the Ninco lane change glitch reported in various forums is actually chip related, but thats another story. Good to see Scorpius got it right
100% success rate on lap counting, car and throttle ID programming, and brake % adjust.
A great feature is the the abilty to use a combination of % adjustable dynamic braking and button braking at the same time. Quicker lap times without a doubt.
So Im really happy the gear turned upin the mail, even if it was 2 weeks late.
I think the glitches relating directly to Scorpius was just car 16 not being able to change lanes.
This puts us in a position where we are really confident the new Version II car chip will be very close during initial testing.
Rick

Hola chicos,
Acabo de volver de "PJR Racing" (La tienda de PhilR). "Otras 900 millas a la espalda"
¡Fiuuu!
La preaparación para las reuniones de los próximos fines de semana significa probar previamente todos los 16 coches y mandos. Cogeré un par de piezas de respuesto de cada clase, por si acaso.
Una vez más, agradecer a Phil el uso de sus instalaciones. Muy agradecido.
Tuvimos una gran tarde / noche. La pista estaba en muy buen estado.
Tuvimos algunos problemas técnicos.
Un coche corrió de forma salvaje, y, a veces, se detuvo, pero después de cambiar los coches se encontró que era sólo por una mala conexión.
Un fallo se produjo en los coches al final de las rectas. Estos [fallos] estaban relacionados con el mando acelerador y generalmente con los mandos SSD estándar que estamos usando. Se puede esperar a trabajar con un sensor Hall o probar el controlador Slot.it. Pero ese es otro proyecto. El intercambio de mandos aceleradores eliminó al circuito [chip] Scorpius como culpable del problema [relegó el problema al mando en sí mismo, por lo que puedo entender, nota de Antrax].
Otro problema peculiar es que si dos o más aceleradores están asignados al mismo ID, [provoca] que los coches puedan correr a veces de forma brusca. Afortunadamente, la introducción de un código PIN evitará que esto ocurra en el futuro. ¡Buena idea John!.
Una interesante peculiaridad encontrada, fue que el cambio de carril no es posible con coche con ID 16. Es fácil de arreglar, sólo un ajuste ligero de firmware.
Así que con esto tenemos una gran mejora desde el último viaje a Phils. Creo que hemos aprendido tanto como hemos podido de la Versión I del circuito [chip], ya que para el próximo fin de semana dispondremos del mismo en su versión II. La versión I del chip se convertirá en redundante.
Como nota adicional, en un momento hemos desconectado la alimentación de la PB Ninco a la pista, pero no los cables del PB a las zonas muertas [las de control de las pistas digitales]. A continuación, conectamos la funete de alimentación DS3800 PSU directamente a los carriles para alimentar [el sistema] Scorpius.
Funcionó a las mil maravillas.
La siguiente fase en la pista de Phils es introducir el "Lane Brain" para controlar los tiempos con 16 Ids para coches [luego 16 coches en pista, claro].
Ahora disponemos de 16 coches y sus mandos probados y listos para una carrera en [las instalaciones de] Phils el próximo fin de semana.
Por consiguiente, estoy comprobando lo importantísimo que es el mando acelerador. Allí es donde todo comienza. Si el acelerador es sólo del 95%, en tonces el 95% de rendimiento es todo lo que se puede esperar.
Cada controlador SSD que estoy usando ofrece una sensanción y / o curva de potencia distinta. Creo que, ¿debería preparar un chip de conversión para el mando Slot.it y sacar ventaja del efecto Hall?
Phil informó de fallos en algunos cambios de carril, sin embargo todos los cambios que he intentado en las dos sesiones de prueba han funcionado [correctamente]. Prové 400 de 400. Con coches [digitalizados con el] chip de Ninco, la tasa de éxito fué del 95% para los cambios de carril sencillos [Lane Changers] y alrededor del 80% para los cambios en X, que no parece raro. Así pues, puedo decir que el problema del cambio de carril informado en varios forums está relacionado con el "chip", pero eso es otra historia. Es bueno comprobar que Scorpius lo controla correctamente.
100% de efectividad en la cuenta de vueltas, coches y programación de identificación del acelerador, y ajuste porcentual de frenada.
Una importante característica es la posibilidad de usar una combinación de porcentaje de frenada dinámica ajustable y botón de frenado al mismo tiempo: Tiempos de vuelta más rápidos, sin lugar a dudas.
Por lo tanto, estoy realmente feliz, todo solucionado en el correo, aunque sea 2 semanas más tarde.
Creo que los problemas relacionados directamente con Scorpius solo tienen que ver con que el coche nº 16 no es capaz de cambiar de carril.
Esto nos coloca en una posición tal, en la que confiamos en la nueva versión II del chip del coche va a estar muy ajustada durante las pruebas iniciales.
Rick
Editado 29 de Abril del 2008 por Antrax

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Escrito originalmente por Guest injectorman en 13 de Mayo del 2008
Hi Guys,
Well we have made some good progress. We have confirmed our last remaining glitch was from faulty controllers.
We are considering soon perhaps a hall effect type controler.
So Antrax I hope to send a car and throtle to you tomorrow. I couldnt send it before because of one or two glitches showed up at the last minute and we are making some firmware changes.
We have ordered the printed circuit boards for our new wireless version of Lane Brain and are making 20 pre production version II car chips in around 2 weeks time. If they work perfectly first time we will be confident to produce our first batch of car and controller chips.
Rick
Editado 13 de Mayo del 2008 por injectorman

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Escrito originalmente por Guest Antrax en 13 de Mayo del 2008

Hi Guys,Well we have made some good progress. We have confirmed our last remaining glitch was from faulty controllers.
We are considering soon perhaps a hall effect type controler.
So Antrax I hope to send a car and throtle to you tomorrow. I couldnt send it before because of one or two glitches showed up at the last minute and we are making some firmware changes.
We have ordered the printed circuit boards for our new wireless version of Lane Brain and are making 20 pre production version II car chips in around 2 weeks time. If they work perfectly first time we will be confident to produce our first batch of car and controller chips.
Rick

Hola chicos,
Bueno, hemos conseguido algunos progresos destacables. Hemos confirmado que el ultimo defecto se debía a controles [aceleradores] que fallaban.
[Así que] estamos considerando la posibilidad, tal vez, de un control de efecto hall en breve.
(Así pues Antrax, espero mandarte un coche y un mando mañana. No he podido mandalo antes por uno o dos problemas que se presentaron en el último minuto y a que estamos realizando algunos cambios en el firmware)
Hemos encargado las tarjetas de circuito impreso para la nueva versión inalámbrica del "Cerebro del Carril", y estamos fabricando 20 circuitos (chips) de la versión II de pre-producción en unas 2 semanas de tiempo. Si funcionan perfectamente a la primera, confiamos en producir nuestro primer lote de circuitos para coche y controlador.
Rick
¡Pero que buenas noticias! Scorpius está a punto de salir a la luz.
En cuanto tenga el material empiezo a probarlo y os cuento.
Antrax
These are really good news! Scorpius is going to go to market!
As soon as I'll have tested the gadgets, I'll tell you news.
Antrax

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Escrito originalmente por Mefrix en 4 de Junio del 2008
Hola chicos!
¿Alguna novedad?
¿Se han hecho más pruebas?
¿Antrax ya ha recibido las unidades de prueba?
AAARRRGGGGGG!!!!!! Quiero probarlo!!!!!!!
Hi guys!
¿Some news?
¿It has been more tests?
¿Antrax has received test units?
AAAARRRRRRGGGGG!!! I want to test it!!!!!!!
Excuse my english, man.

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Escrito originalmente por Guest joaquicenete en 5 de Junio del 2008
pufff el hombre este se lo esta currando es un trabajo impresionante yo corro con el digital de ninco con ocho compañeros tiene que ser una pasada correr los 16 a la vez
a ver cuando sale ala venta
yo quieeeeero uno
saludos
antrax ya nos contaras como te a ido con el sistema cuando lo pruebes
saludos

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Escrito originalmente por Guest injectorman en 8 de Junio del 2008
Guys.
WE HAVE RECORD/PLAYBACK!
Already within days John has written the following software for Scorpius now Mr Dongle has arrived.

Dongle prototype works 100%, the finished product will be smaller of course.
Scorpius software programs:
Booter will allow you to reflash Scorpious & Throttle chips
CarDriver allows you to drive a car by PC control and to reprogram the car ID. This could also be useful to find out which ID a car is set to.
ThrotlleSetup allows you to change the throttle ID and dynamic braking
ThrotlleSnoop scans all 16 throtlle channels and tells you which are transmitting. Useful to ID the throttles or to see if any are transmitting continuously.
ThrottleTest - allows you see what a throttle is sending
ThrottleCapture - allows you to record what the throttle is transmitting and then play it back.
Yes we have record and playback already, but would like LB to finished to calibrate playback. Calibration will occur at each LC (LB) ensuring close to perfect playback. Now warming of motors will not affect end result as throtte manipulation will speed up (or slow down) car between each LC. So imagine a race, just you and a mate versus say 6 ghost cars going flat chat. You could record a real race when your mates are over and use that data as a basis to run ghost cars when theyre not there. You could edit out bad cars (cars that were de slotting all the time or any reason).
Another idea is to slow the car fractionally between reference points if the car deslots, the system can detect this automatically by the car not arriving at the next LC. So next time it passes through that area it will be a fraction slower, and its all done automatically. This could be used for auto track call too, as the system knows when a car hasnt arrived at the next LC.
Another idea is to take the fastest sectors from various laps to create a super fast time.
Rick

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Escrito originalmente por M1K3LSLOT en 8 de Junio del 2008
A big news Rick.
Here, everything is ready and waiting.

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Escrito originalmente por Guest injectorman en 12 de Junio del 2008
Guys.
SCORPIUS SOFTWARE
This is one of the Scorpius programs. Its used to change car and throttle parameters and info.
You can change ID
Adjust brake settings
Adjust throttle curve
Have a minimum speed (pace car)
You can limit speed (kiddies mode)
Later additions will include fuel and tyres, traction control, set PIN code, and light settings on car.
Also a register of car and owner details. Example car type, livery, car #, owner, driver etc

Rick

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Escrito originalmente por RikoRocket en 13 de Junio del 2008

Guys.SCORPIUS SOFTWARE
This is one of the Scorpius programs. Its used to change car and throttle parameters and info.
You can change ID
Adjust brake settings
Adjust throttle curve
Have a minimum speed (pace car)
You can limit speed (kiddies mode)
Later additions will include fuel and tyres, traction control, set PIN code, and light settings on car.
Also a register of car and owner details. Example car type, livery, car #, owner, driver etc

Rick

WOW! Next you need analogue mode......
But when is the new circuit coming out Rick?

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Escrito originalmente por Guest injectorman en 13 de Junio del 2008
Riko,
Analogue mode? It runs on analogue now.
New circuit as in new routed track? When the Lane Brain is complete and tested=)
Rick

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Escrito originalmente por Guest injectorman en 13 de Junio del 2008
Hi Guys.
This is another example of Scorpius software.
THROTTLE TEST

Shows ID
Coms port
Throttle
Brake
Lane Change
Version No.
Battery voltage
A handy tool for testing and checking Scorpius throttles.
Rick

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Escrito originalmente por Mefrix en 14 de Junio del 2008
Great job Injectorman!
Any news about when it be available the car chips and the throttle chips?
Buen trabajo Injectorman!
Alguna noticia sobre cuando estaran disponibles los chis de los coches y los de los aceleradores?
Salut!

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Escrito originalmente por Guest injectorman en 24 de Junio del 2008
Hi Mefrix.
You can order now just PM me.
Rick

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Escrito originalmente por M1K3LSLOT en 24 de Junio del 2008
Hi injectorman, We can already buy chips and command car?
Injectorman Hola, Ya podemos comprar chips de mando y coche?