Carrera analog cars not the same speed

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Carrera analog cars not the same speed - schafe - 16th-Jun-26

Howdy

I purchased a starter set with analog cars. It is for a STEM project with timers and lap counters. I need the 2 cars to run at almost the same speed. Putting both cars on the same lane, one is obviously faster. How can I change the speed without buying a bunch of new parts? Is adding weight to the faster car the easiest solution?

Thanks very much. Checkeredflag

RE: Carrera analog cars not the same speed - woodcote - 17th-Jun-26

Welcome to SlotRacer shafe Wavegreen

It's not uncommon to get a pair of cars with wildly different performance out of the box, even if they are identical models. It could just be the way they've been put together at the factory, one perfectly, the other not so good. Or there could be differences in the components (motor, magnets etc).

Getting them running at the same speed could be a STEM project in itself Sun

There are loads of simple tuning tips that don't require buying more parts - you could work through these steps: https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=5204

The Carrera cars have two traction magnets, one usually below the rear axle and one in front of the motor. Removing the rear magnet will free up the cars and their performances could be more equal. You can also shim the magnets to raise them higher off the rails and reduce the downforce.

Electronically, a solution might be to introduce a resistor into the circuit - either to the lane or inside the car - of the faster car.

Do let us know more - what set you got, the specific cars and exactly how they handle on the track.

RE: Carrera analog cars not the same speed - schafe - 18th-Jun-26

[video=youtube]youtu.be/jK1MhjoUdtU[/video]

Thanks for the help. I think I'll add magnets then weight to the faster car.

Since you asked:
A generator on bike tire provides voltage to each lane. Diodes in the circuit only allow 1 bike (kid/adult) to send power to a lane. There are 2 kid bikes and 2 adult bikes. A voltage regulator prevents too much power to lanes so cars don't spin out in corners. (The generators provide plenty of power and must be regulated.) A digital counter from Amazon counts laps via a magnet glued inside the car's roof. The video is of the first version.

I cannot use different voltages for each lane as I am not there all the time. The cars could be placed on different lanes as kids/adults experiment.

The new version still has the vs race option but adds an Arduino type controller that has a built in screen. The controller is programmed to start a timer on the first pass under the sensor. The lap counter goes to 10 and the timer stops. This timed version has a different voltage regulator that is set to allow the cars to go a bit faster so they will spin out. The timed version becomes a skill issue. A switch and relay are used to go from vs mode to timed mode. Racers will simply post their time on a white board.

RE: Carrera analog cars not the same speed - schafe - 18th-Jun-26

Doesn't look like I got the video right.

RE: Carrera analog cars not the same speed - schafe - 18th-Jun-26

Still not right. Gonna use AI . . .

RE: Carrera analog cars not the same speed - Kevan - 18th-Jun-26

Steve.ainscow@hotmail.com - Steve A - 18th-Jun-26

Motor connections are simple plugs. I would start by simply swapping the motors over, unplug and prize out front end first with small flathead screwdriver. They just clip back in easily to the chassis.