G-Scale Drag Strip Controller
Revised 07-23-08

Initial Setup

• Place the Start and Finish sensors under each track being careful to place the sensor for lane 1 under track 1 and the one for lane 2 under track 2.

• I have had good luck placing a small rubber band under each sensor then onto the adjacent ties to hold them firmly in place.

• The rubber bands I use are made from old bicycle tubes (road bike tubes are best as they are smaller)

• Connect the RJ-11 connectors from each set of sensors to the appropriate connection receptacle on the controller.
• Connect the "Christmas Tree" lights to the connector on the controller being careful to observe polarity by aligning the sliver markings on the plug and receptacle.
• Connect power to the "Christmas Tree" power board (the separate jack coming out of the small plastic box that goes to the tree)
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• Connect power to the controller

Testing the Lights and Sensors

• Once everything is connected you can test the tree lights by briefly pressing the Reset button.  The lights will briefly illuminate in this order:
  • Blue 1
  • Blue 2
  • Both Amber 1
  • Both Amber 2
  • Both Amber 3
  • Both Green
  • Red 1
  • Red 2
• Press Reset again and, while the copyright page is on the display, press the Start button.  This will take you to the Sensor Test screen.
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• Briefly place your hand across each of the sensors.  While blocking a sensor you should see the count for it increase rapidly.  Note that this count only goes to 255 then resets. 
• Confirm that the sensors are working and in the proper lane.

Testing Power to the Track

• Connect power to each track and test an engine on each track. 
• Note the transformer setting that sends the train in a forward direction.  Switch power lines if it is not correct.
• If cut track with diodes is used at either or both ends remember that power must be applied between the cut sections, not at one end.
• Remember that there is no connection between the timing system and the power to the track.  Each competitor should be able to independently control their engine.

Running a Race

• Place an engine behind each of the start sensors
• Press the Reset button on the controller
• Wait till the copyright screen clears and it displays "Press Start to Begin Staging"
• Press the Start button.  Note that both blue lights are illuminated indicating that neither lane has been staged
• Manually move one engine forward towards the sensor until the red light lights indicating that it is blocking the sensor.
• Move it back just enough to completely extinguish the red light. 
• Do the same with the other engine
• Once both blue lights are out the display shows "Press Start to Race"
• Remind the competitors that the timing starts when they cross the sensor and that crossing the sensor before the green light is lit will constitute a false start lighting their lane's red light.
• Press the Start button to start the countdown.
• As the engines cross the start sensor the display shows the reaction time
• Once both engines have crossed the finish the race time is displayed. 
• The blue light shows the winning lane.
• Press Reset to start another race