Technical Notes

 

 

Mounting the New Directions Start Gate to the Magic Track

The Start Gate is carefully designed to fit the countours of the Magic Track. The hardwood blocks provide the means of mounting the gate to the track.
Although not necessary, a pair of clamps is very handy in positioning the gate against the bottom side of the track.

Turn the track over, and drill four pilot holes through the track, into the hardwood blocks. The drill diameter should be between .114 and .125 inch. The exact position of the holes is not critical, but they should be on the track centerlines, and make a nice accurate rectangle.

Secure the gate to the track with four #8 self tapping screws.

Install the magnetic switch as shown. The magnet is already mounted to the peg bar.

There should be 5/8" distance between the two parts of the switch when the gate is closed. A finger width is a handy measure, and accurate enough. See the note below regarding the magnetic switch operation.

Connect the ends of the white wires to the Junction Board. Route the wires as shown, and secure to the track with the nylon clips.

Install the tension spring. Secure one end to the track edge using the spring clip.

The other end of the spring may share the same axle as the solenoid. Or if more tension is required, it may be looped around the second axle above.

Adjust the tension when the cars are behind the gate. Use only enough tension to get the job done.

Note: The magnetic switch operates when the distance between the magnet and the switch is about one inch. Start gates employing a metal angle, such as this gate, do not offer a lot of displacement. Therefore, it is necessary to have significant initial separation when the gate is closed in order to achieve over an inch of separation when the gate is open.

A common LED can be used to test the operation of the switch. Power the Judge, and connect the start line cable between the Judge and the Junction Board of the start gate. Hold the leads of the LED between the metal contacts of the switch connection. Open the gate slowly by hand, and notice when the LED lights up. This should occur midway between the open and closed position of the gate. If the LED does not light, reverse the leads.