[Serpico]

I currently have a Scalextric Sport electronic lap timer C8215 on my home track. What I really want is something that will not only give me the fastest lap time, but also the total time for the whole race.

The track is currently powered by a Sport C8217 Powerbase.

I also intend to upgrade my standard controller to a Truspeed BP2 one.

I have looked at the ARC ONE unit which would give the the race statistics I want, but because it does not have a "jack" connector for the controllers you can't fit a Truspeed controller to it. 

Does anyone know if it is possible to run ARC One for only the statistical side of things, and have the actual track powered by the Sport power unit? 

This would give me what I want in the way of race timing and also the ability to upgrade my controller at some point.

I am up for a bit of electrical jiggly pokery 

[woodcote]

Yes, very simple electrical jiggery-pokery too 

Keep your C8217 powerbase, power supply and controller of choice. Then take the ARC One and its power supply - you can ditch the controllers - remove the base plate and snip/desolder the power wires that are  soldered onto the track rails. Tie them, tape them or remove them - just make sure there’s no chance of a short.

Then power everything up - including the ARC app of your choice - and you’re ready to go! You even get the option of pit stops.

A quick word on the apps and suitable smart devices. There are two official Scalextric apps - ‘Scalextric ARC’ and ‘App Race Control Legacy’. These are designed for ARC One, Air and Pro. The third-party Magic ARC app has only been developed for Pro and Air, but should work with One - but I wouldn’t start with that one, just in case.

Not all Bluetooth 4+ smart devices work with the powerbase or the apps. I’m afraid it’s a bit trial & error. Apple devices tend to be fine - and the latest Scalextric app works will most new-ish Android devices. It’s also worth trying an Amazon Fire tablet, if you have one.

For troubleshooting the app, most of the stuff in the SlotRacer ARC Pro guide applies: https://slotracer.online/arc-pro-guide/problems.php

Good luck & have fun!

[Serpico]

Hi 

many thanks for the advice, that was much quicker than I had expected. You've given me the confidence to go ahead and get myself an ARC one unit. I'll update the forum with pics when I've done it.

[MrFlippant]

You don't even have to cut or desolder the wires. There's a plug at the end inside the base. Just unplug it. Then it's an easy fix if you decide to sell or give it to someone in the future.

[Serpico]

No wire cutting even better. Thanks for the tip

[AdeC]

This is pretty much my setup at the moment. ARC one base with the central track power plug unplugged. Cheap and easy lap timing/race setup solution for an analogue home track in my opinion (providing all of your cars guides are black).
I was running this with a Sport powerbase, but I ditched the Scalextric power base in the end for a variable power supply (fusion 200w from pendle) and wired in "club-spec" controller stations so I could use my Truspeed BP2 controller that I use for club racing. It was reasonably simple to do and give me easily adjustable track voltage for (good for when people are over or when the kids are loose on it!).

[Serpico]

Thanks for the info on the Fusion power supply, I was thinking of that myself. I've currently got ARC 1 but I am leaning towards ARC air with a wireless slot.it controller after watching Mr Flippants controller basics video. From what I can see Truspeed don't do a wireless version yet? I'm going to the slot car show at the motor museum and will speak to the guys from Pendle (who will hopefully be there) to get their advice before parting with my money.

[MrFlippant]

Thanks for the info on the Fusion power supply, I was thinking of that myself. I've currently got ARC 1 but I am leaning towards ARC air with a wireless slot.it controller after watching Mr Flippants controller basics video. From what I can see Truspeed don't do a wireless version yet? I'm going to the slot car show at the motor museum and will speak to the guys from Pendle (who will hopefully be there) to get their advice before parting with my money.

That's not a bad solution if you want wireless control of analog cars. I don't think the brakes are adjustable, though I haven't actually tested it. Even though the SCP3 has a brake knob, the ARC Air doesn't understand it, so your braking options will still be limited to the settings available in the app, which is zero brakes, or 100% brakes. No in between. 

If you race with a club, or are thinking about doing so in the future, I'd suggest sticking with the ARC One for the lap counting/timing stuff as before, and get the SCP2 or SCP3 but with an analog cartridge. Then, make up club style controller hook ups and a variable power supply like Ade did. You won't regret it.

But, if you don't expect to venture into the realm of club racing, and just want to have a gas with your toys at home, then get the ARC Air "upgrade kit" and see how you like the stock controllers. They're actually pretty good for "toy" controllers. The app allows you to change power to the car, and even change the throttle curve to better suit certain types of car/control styles.

[Serpico]

Thanks for the info on the Fusion power supply, I was thinking of that myself. I've currently got ARC 1 but I am leaning towards ARC air with a wireless slot.it controller after watching Mr Flippants controller basics video. From what I can see Truspeed don't do a wireless version yet? I'm going to the slot car show at the motor museum and will speak to the guys from Pendle (who will hopefully be there) to get their advice before parting with my money.

That's not a bad solution if you want wireless control of analog cars. I don't think the brakes are adjustable, though I haven't actually tested it. Even though the SCP3 has a brake knob, the ARC Air doesn't understand it, so your braking options will still be limited to the settings available in the app, which is zero brakes, or 100% brakes. No in between. 

If you race with a club, or are thinking about doing so in the future, I'd suggest sticking with the ARC One for the lap counting/timing stuff as before, and get the SCP2 or SCP3 but with an analog cartridge. Then, make up club style controller hook ups and a variable power supply like Ade did. You won't regret it.

But, if you don't expect to venture into the realm of club racing, and just want to have a gas with your toys at home, then get the ARC Air "upgrade kit" and see how you like the stock controllers. They're actually pretty good for "toy" controllers. The app allows you to change power to the car, and even change the throttle curve to better suit certain types of car/control styles.

Thanks for that advice, I will try that first as this is for a set at home. I didn't realise that the brake knob doesn't function with ARC air! I'm going to speak with Pendle first as I am sure they can explain all the options to me, and I'd rather do that face to face rather than over the phone. Plus they will hopefully have all the kit there and can show me how it all fits together.

[MrFlippant]

Don't over estimate how much a retailer knows about a thing.