[Johnno]

I too had originally thought about a computer PS as I have half dozen around the repair bench with several new ones and several older slim units from those mini desktop cases.

Might have to do some more research on this and see what I would need to do etc. I can repair and build computers and laptops but am not electronic minded, go figure that 

[Anthony B]

As suggested - I have moved this thread to a Racing forum as the weekly thread has finished. Feel free of course to add to this to improve the database!

[munter]

I would have thought it would be better under tracks/ track building.

Race control to me suggests something else.

[Johnno]

Just looking at a PS for possible Razor Tyre Truer. On suggestion from Armchair Racer they recommend/suggest this one:
   
Variable Voltage Power Supply PWR-MP3802 - 25amp 0-16 vdc
Variable Voltage Power Supply

Here is a rear view of very close match being the MP3800 unit I found for those that might like a complete view
   



Description from Armchair Racer
Compact size, high current, variable output and fan cooling make these the ideal power supply to run your slot car track or for your bench. They are protected against thermal overload and short circuit and will display a warning LED in the event of a fault condition. Current and voltage are displayed on separate backlit analogue meters.

We recommend this Power Supply for Digital Systems as the voltage is limited to 16v - digital chips cannot take high voltage.

Specifications:
Input Voltage: AC 90 to 125v or AC 200 to 240v inside selectable (Supplied for Australian Use)
Power Output: 360 Watts
Voltage output: 0 - 16VDC Variable
Maximum Current Output: MP3802 DC 16V 25A - DC 13.8 30A - DC 12V 30A - DC 10.0V 30A - DC 5V 32A - DC 3V 35A DC 2.0V30A - DC 1V 5A
Ripple: less than 9mVp-p at rated load
Output voltage regulation: Less than 1%
Dimensions: 147(W) x 165(D) x 55(H)mm

Protection: 
1- short protection: it will reduce the output voltage down to 0.1v Amps down to 0.4Amps and the warning led will light up when short condition remove it will automatic restartthe power supply to normal condition.
2- overload protection: same as above
3- over temperature protection: MP3802 has two stage over temperature protection.
Output current: MP3802 Max Dc24v 6A DC16V 12 A DC12V 15A DC5V 17.0A DC3V 17.4A DC2V10.0A

• Model: MP3802
  
• Shipping Weight: 1.5kgs
  
• Manufactured by: ELECTUS
  

[Anthony B]

I Had an old computer lying around in the garage and I pulled the Power Supply - a 115/230 Input or with a 3, 5 and 12v output - on side it said black/yellow = 12V - however I could only read 5.4v no matter across which colour leads I read them - red/black/back/yellow.

But as it is a computer P.S. it has about 100leads coming out the back end in various size plugs.

So advice I got is:-

First read this:

Wikipedia on P.S.

-scroll down to the PSU section
-bridge pin 16 [power on (green wire) ] to any black [ground] wire. this allows the PSU to work.
-You can just cut the wires and solder or even add a switch.
-the yellow wires are 12v

I did as advised by Nightrider on SFI - and voila it worked:

[Scuderia_Turini]

Just a passing comment on power supplies...

Once upon a time, our Scalextric track and Triang Smoothflow transformer were stored on top of the wardrobe in the bedroom that my brother and I shared. Storing stuff on top of wardrobes was a "thing" then - H&S had not been neccessary.  One day I was retrieving the set and managed nudge the transformer sending it down to the floor. Fortunately my right foot provided a soft landing for the transformer and it came to no harm. My foot was not so robust and (no slippers on) ended up with a deep gash between two toes. Mother duly took me to the doctor (I don't think A&E had been necessary in those days) and he duly applied a new fangled "plaster" that he said would avoid having to stitch the wound. 

My foot still bears the scar and would provide an identification mark if necessary.

Below is the best photograph I could find of a Smoothflow transformer of the same type.

Leo

   

[Lloyd.L]

I still have one of those if you wish to revisit old times Leo!

regards, Lloyd.

[Anthony B]

Sheesh - I have about 4 of them I think with an equal number of Revell transformers.....  they really are a relic memory from the past

[Martyn08]

Thank you for posting this topic, for me it took me years to move away from the supplied transformer, and to gain the knowledge of what to replace it with, and cost a lot of money and most without success. Well from the threads shown it seems that none of you guys use the supplied transformer which I think says a lot, but at least through your photo's it does show the alternative and at last a place where you can ask questions, lets face it if you can't get your track to run the rest is irrelevant. Ok picture time.

[AlexisGaitanis]

This is what i use,1 for each lane,
   

in combination with
   

Total cost gbp 13 per lane