[woodcote]

It is possible Greg - and the solution is technically very clever. But is it in any way desirable as a real-world set-up to explore and enjoy the potential of digital racing? Both systems have their pros and cons - and this hybrid set-up seems to lumber the user with all the cons. Unless software simulations are of absolutely no interest.

From the oXigen base manual...

Running with Carrera Digital D132
It is possible to run an oXigen chipped car on Carrera Digital D132. This is done independently of Carrera protocols and technology. Actually, it is the D132 PB that does the job for us. A fully working Carrera D132 system (PB + LCs + controller) is required.

In D132 systems the PB transmits the status of the 'change lane' buttons on the hand controllers, to all the lane change units. Car chips, instead, know nothing about the lane change button: they go around the track transmitting their fixed ID continuosly through the IR LED. The LC thus knows from the PB if a certain car must change lane, and once such car is recognised, the LC mechanism is activated.

An oXigen car in D132 mode sends its ID only when the LC button is pressed: in all other cases (except for lap counting), it goes around undetected. If, at the same time, the PB senses from its own controller that such car wants to change lane, and the oXigen LC button is pressed, any LC can pick up the infrared ID from the car, which can thus change lane at will.

To count laps, though, you must place a oXigen FL magnet right before the Carrera D132 FL sensor to trigger a 200mS transmission of the car's ID, which will be picked up by the FL sensor. Thus, a LC must not be placed right after the FL, or the O2 cars will change lane.

To summarise, how to do? First, with the Bootloader software (0.12 and higher), or controller (2.13 and higher, car 2.09 and higher) put your O2 car in D132 mode. Then, program it with ID ranging between 1 and 6. Last, plug your Carrera controller in the PB slot corresponding to said ID, lock the LC button on the 'ON' position (for example, with a rubber band), make sure magnets are placed under the FL, and you're ready.

Note that the oXigen chipped cars do not read the Carrera digital protocol from rails, hence, they do not respond to start/stop race commands from the Power Base.

It is also possible to run more than 6 cars on the same Carrera track at the same time. Again, you need the magnets under the FL. In this case cars 7-20 must be O2 ones and Carrera ID 4 is reserved for O2 extension. You need a Carrera controller hooked to controller plug n.4 with its LC button locked on. Then, simply, put your cars in D132 mode, set them to ID 7 to 20, and run them. In this case an oXigen dongle is required for lap counting.

Most likely, a standard Carrera PB will not provide enough power to run more than 6 cars. There may be, however, aftermarket parts providing higher power output.

Note that the IR LED must be displaced to match the position of the receiving LED on Carrera track, so a LED on wires is advisable, together with a O201b chip.

As I said, a very clever technical work-around, but not - in my mind - a viable real-world option for enjoying digital racing. However, my perspective is from simulating real-world motorsports and racing as a group - other people may get their kicks from delving deep into the technology. There are many ways to enjoy this hobby :-)