3 RC-Kits in one PC

Daniel Gerecht (www.slotfreaks.de) had an interesting idea for his track. He had to integrate 3 RC-boxes.

Note:
The following instructions are provided without warranty for your or your PC's health.
For questions please contact Daniel, text and images are provided by him.

Now here´s the solution (please wait for images to load):

Racecontrol Kit integration instructions

On the images you can see the components as well as the different states of integration. The components for track power control and starting lights will be integrated later. The two bright covers will have to be painted black (just for design, of course).

Now for the technical implementation:
Advantages:
The RC-Kit has to be powered and connected to the COM-Port and it would be a good idea to integrate it into a useful kind of cover. All that can be achieved by using a PC. Wiring will be simplier by using internal cables and there are no additional boxes. In addition there will be only one box (the PC) for the complete timing-task. No additional power-supplies and so on.

Power plugs (1 for each RC-Kit) EUR 1,50 each
5 ¼" Drive plug (male) 1x
Serial cable (male/female) for each Kit EUR 1,00 each
If you´re using an AT-PC you´ll need main board plugs that fit. Either remove the original ones from the adapters or buy them.
PVC L-Profile 25x25mm (20x20mm may be enough). 1 m will be enough for 4 RC-Kits
Mainboard-Screws (you should be able to obtain them, you can also use longer screws and spacers). You can even use cut dowels as spacers.
Drive covers (one for each Kit)
Maybe you´ll have to get additional COM-Port-Cards. If you do, try to get those where you can connect cables to the board directly.
Of course you´ll need the RC-Kits and a PC with enough space to integrate all those components.

The power is supplied via the PC´s 12V current. Please note that you´ll loose any kind of warranty, if this damages the kits. But since the power input has a voltage regulator, there should be no problem. Connectiong the Kits to the COM-Ports is most easily done when using an AT-PC for the cables can be connected to the mainboard via plugs (see image). If you´d like to use an ATX-PC, you´ll have to use a proper COM-Port-Card or get the cable out of the PC and connect it to the COM-Port on the back.

Building instruction:
At first measure the required length of the PVC-profiles to mount it with 4 screws. 125mm should be sufficient. The lower edge of the profile should be the same height as the lower edge of a normally mounted drive.

Then mark the lateral mounting holes. Either you´re planning clearance holes or (even better) drill smaller holes than the UNC screws (PC equipment to mount drives) require and screw them through the plastics. Fitting the RCs has to be found out by yourself. I had no problems by placing the RC between the L-profiles and putting additional 8mm space between inside and outside. Then align, mark and drill. It is important that the profiles are not mounted all to the front cover. The mainboard spacers are simply screwed into the mounting holes.

The electrical part is quite simple. The power connections are set up using the image. Please note that GND is on the outside of the RC-power plug. This way there won´t be any shorts if a cable dangles in the inside of the PC and happens to touch anything. However a contact with an electronic unit could be dangerous.

The COM-Port-Cable is cut to the proper length and skinned for about 3 or 4 cm. The cable´s colors have to be measured and assigned to the plugs (1-9 rad from te plug´s inside). Order the cables by number, put it into the plug and press it.
BTW: It is sufficient to use cables 2-5 as the RC does not use the others.

Now everything is assembled and may be inserted into the PC.

Here´s the COM-Port-Connection
Installation from inside ...
...and outside.

Of course this installation should only be done by people understanding what they´re doing.
This small instruction doesn´t claim to cover the whole installation process.
There´s no warranty for any damages caused by the installation. You´ll follow these instructions on your own risk.

Have fun,

dag (www.slotfreaks.de)