Lego Scalextric cars

[Heppeng]

This is a very thought provoking thread! I think I might like to give this a go, although I am more interested in what can be done to motorise existing lego models in a similar way to tbroyd. It looks like the Demolition Derby has some limitations, you are restrained by the wheelbase and it seems that it can limit how the models are built - I notice on the ice cream van that the mudguards are not fitted, presumably because the chassis is in the way.

Its not a 100% lego solution, but I think I will get a couple of old Scalextric cars from ebay and experiment!

[garethjellis]

your idea would be a fun cuusoo project,

I think a 5v voltage regulator will regulate any voltage above 5v so you wont get a voltage ramp. you will also need a fairly adequate heat sink to discharge the heat from the regulator

best idea is to use a 5v transformer , hope that helps

[brickie]

Great thread.

A few years ago, I bought some cheap Chinese made slot car sets and turned them into all the vehicles from 'Cars'.

This was very popular at Lego shows.

Alas, the plastic gears are stripping cogs and they are now useless.

I have looked at the scalextric cars but the 'demolition derby' doesn't seem to be available in Australia yet.

So, inspired by this thread, I wasted all afternoon trying to make a complete LEGO slotcar.

The result; success [ Sort of ]

I used a 12V train motor and the conducting rails and modified a track.

I placed car tyres over the existing train wheels and placed a 'hook plate' on the front to guide along the ;slot'.

Initially, it stopped on the curve and shorted out the 12V controller.

This was because the rear pickup contacts changed tracks on the curve.

A piece of sticky tape soon had them out of the way.

The motor now runs smoothly along the track.

The next step in the future will be to make an oval of track and see if it works.

Any suggestions would be warmly welcomed.

Edited February 5, 2014 by brickie

[Heppeng]

I like your thinking! It might even be possible to combine your idea with dundarach's for a 100% lego solution - you could use one of the early 12V 2x8 pick up bricks to get the power, and you would have a lot of freedom to build a car in whatever form you desire.

[dundarach]

I'm glad I'm inspiring people, this is the next idea which works very well...two 4.5v motors together, twice the power :-)

The others don't get hot and run well with the resistor, however this way the motors are just wired up to the track.

Brickie, love the train track idea - I knew this was in the right forum :)

I'm thinking Kickstarter all the way with this topic, if Lego released a proper slot car system using standard technic parts and motors I'd buy it in a flash.

Edited February 6, 2014 by dundarach

[Heppeng]

I think there could be a lot of potential in this for lego, you can have racing cars for some fun competition, or the same basic set up could be used to bring the streets of your city to life. A purpose built chassis in two parts - (so you can alter the wheelbase to suit as required) and perhaps alternate gearing so that you can use it either for high speed racing, or powering a lorry trundling around the streets.

I have just bought some cheap scalextric cars off ebay which I intend to experiment with. And for a bit of fun I have a feeling that a micro-scalextric chassis is pretty close size wise to do a version of Emmets car...

[dundarach]

The problem I found with real scalextric cars is the amount of Lego I want on them, made them overheat and STOP :( all too quickly.

I think the market is in a small guide blade brick which then links to standard cables and a compatible voltage motor.

Here's the latest photos to keep everyone motivated:

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2WDMLO3euGHjdMr2XbgiJg/videos

And loads of videos on my youtube channel of them running really well :)

All good stuff!

[dundarach]

Hope you don't mind more stuff:

Lego Scalextric van, looks great but is a bit heavy.

[Heppeng]

I agree it looks great!

I got my scalextric cars today. They look like they will be a good starting point, but might not be so good for the heavier models as they are geared for speed rather than torque of course. Mind you if they do go up in smoke replacement motors are cheap and plentiful. The biggest hurdle will be making the lego wheels fit the scalextric axles.

[brickie]

Hope you don't mind more stuff:

Very impressive.

Would it be possible to see a close up of how you have converted a power pick-up to fit with Lego?

[dundarach]

Brickie sure thing....will take some better photos...

It's very quick and dirty however :-)

[dundarach]

I've given up on Brickshelf as they've not approved these for 3 days...

So just received a 12v black motor and it runs very well...might have to save up for more.

The last two show how I modded a 2x4 plate (the shame). The last picture is important as the second 2x4 plate which the standard scalextric long guide blade is resting on, stops the blade tipping back and jamming.

Hope you like, check out the video too (if you've not from above)

[ScotNick]

I really like how far your idea has gone to. Any thought of buying the Lego Ghostbusters Set and converting it ?

[dundarach]

Still building:

And some slightly better video (not of the new police car yet):

[Heppeng]

I do like the police Land Rover - in this case the split screen is entirely prototypical!

[dundarach]

Sorry to bump my own thread, however thought you might fancy a laugh....

[kieran]

Nice

[Doc_Brown]

This looks like a ton of fun!

[dundarach]

Hello again everyone, I'm still here and still going with the trains and cars...

The Lego Landrover 2A pulling a Lego racing car around the Scalextric track :)

Also now stepping down the 12v to 5v using a hacked car USB plug in adapter...!

Hope everyone is okay :)

[Trainmaster247]

Wow, really cool idea I like it.

[Lego Dino 500]

Do you have any Lego technic? You could use that to alter gearing, build proper chassis(es?), and reduce the weight a lot. You'd only need a few small sets to get started with it at this scale and it would drastically improve performance. You could also use some smaller tires, which would help with the motor burning out and not having enough torque.

[dundarach]

Thanks everyone, yes plenty of technic, I started with stripped out designs, however to be honest I'm really after the fun factor more than the speed....

That said however, take a look at this video, this is the latest 4x4 with softer rubber Lego tyres, it goes like stink....

In terms of gears, I found that the best combination of tyres, and sizes is the ones on now, the softter tyres above are the same dimensions, however a slightly too wide to drive two cars and can catch the crash barriers.

In terms of gears, I geared down the motors to increase torque, I guess if I want pure speed I could remove this, however I like the heavier cars as they knock off the real Scalextric ones :)

The current line up..!

Edited October 18, 2015 by dundarach

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Amazing videos! The crash test is really funny!

[dundarach]

Haha, I'd forgotten about the crash test, thanks :)

Now the cars are much faster I might do some more....

[dundarach]

Me and my 4 year old Thomas racing the Lego cars. Edited October 18, 2015 by dundarach