Installation Notes: Spring Adjustment

A tension spring is provided with each Solenoid Start Gate. The weight of the cars against the pegs is trying to open the gate. The purpose of the tension spring is to overcome the cars' force, and pull the pegs back to an upright position. Use only enough tension to get the job done.

The solenoid overcomes the balance of forces, and snaps the gate open. It is important to have a method of conveniently adjusting the spring's tension force when conditions change. For example, when racing with some empty lanes. As the number of lanes increases, so does the total car weight variation, which also increases the likelyhood that the tension will need to be fine tuned.

For quick adjustment, we have not been able to improve on a common paper binder clip, available at Staples. Attach the spring down low where the binder clip actually grips.

BestTrack The binder clip grips the track bottom in the bolt channel. By the way, the spring is the same spring supplied with the BestTrack's original gate. To adjust tension, simply squeeze, and move the clip to the correct position.
Piantedosi Freedom Track The binder clip grips the outside edge of the track.
Plywood tracks We supply an aluminum angle that attaches to your track bottom. On some tracks, the rear track pylon may have to be notched out provide clearance for the spring adjustment system.