Scalextric Cars
Author
Discussion

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

22,416 posts

306 months

Wednesday 8th January 2014
quotequote all
Is it just me or are Scalextric cars badly made now.
Back in the 1960's I had a Scalextric, track was rubbish but the cars were great, never missed a beat despite the hammering a 10 year old might give.
2x Aston Martin DB4
2x Cooper racing cars
1x Lotus F1
2x Minis
I bet they are stil going yet somewhere.

Now for Christmas we bought young son a Demolition Derby set but after an hour one car died. He was always supervised by me.
Also got hold of 2 McLarens and again one has died after an hour. (He hardly used that one, it was my wife and I)
The modern cars are all China made and whilst a hell of a lot lighter seem fragile in build quality.

Rude-boy

22,227 posts

257 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
To be honest i have to say it's mostly just you!

I had my first set over 30years ago and my bro ten years before that. In recent years I've bought a lot and had quite a few six blokes with beer and food evenings and only damage has been the odd grill, wing and wing mirrors.


Skyedriver

Original Poster:

22,416 posts

306 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
So where am I going wrong now or is it just bad luck?
Anyone able to assist with a replacement motor for a McLaren? The basic one with the black windows.

Jos Notstoppen

504 posts

165 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
These people should be able to help
http://www.pendleslotracing.co.uk/

Are you sure the motor has broken? Check the braids have good contact, a wire has not worked loose or the track does not have a "dead spot". Other checks could be the bodywork fouling the drive wheels or some kind of short circuit between the braids (piece of wire or debris) or in the track.

What happened to the car?

IanMorewood

4,309 posts

272 months

Saturday 11th January 2014
quotequote all
Motors do die but should last way more than one hour, check connectivity before replacing the motor.

Busa mav

2,815 posts

178 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
I have a pair of the high detail MP4's , they took a hiding over Christmas and are fine, but ,

I don't have the crossover on my layout which I guess will be the problem.

I suspect its just that a wire has come adrift somewhere between the motor and the braid rather than the motor having died.

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

22,416 posts

306 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
Checked the car over and yes, one of the wires had been "nipped" when originally put together but the sheath is translucent and the wire inside looks ok.
When on track, you can gently move the car forward and it'll jump forwarda about 10mm further gentle pushing and a further jump. Continual pushing sees this jump at regular distances as if one part of the motor works and one doesn't.
Nothing binding, turn the wheels turns the motor etc

IanMorewood

4,309 posts

272 months

Sunday 12th January 2014
quotequote all
I would run replacement wires then and see if that fixes your issues.

Jos Notstoppen

504 posts

165 months

Monday 13th January 2014
quotequote all
Check the wire into the braids is secure.

Make sure the braids are not flat on the guide, they should beclear of the guide to make good contact with the track.

With the car guide in the slot hold the rear wheels up clear of the track and see if they spin when power is applied. If they dont spin freely then the bodywork is fouling the wheels somewhere or the braids are not in contact correctly.

Try removing the bodywork (a few screws under the car) and see if the car runs.

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

22,416 posts

306 months

Monday 13th January 2014
quotequote all
Well, remocved body, again, tried replacement wires direct from the track to the motor terminals and just the same except having moved the wires etc, sometimes the car will move, not as fast as the other and will stop after a couple of feet. Think its possiby just a dry joint but without unsoldering and resoldering...or the motor is shorting out inside.

Rude-boy

22,227 posts

257 months

Monday 13th January 2014
quotequote all
Okay, sounds like a worn off piece of braid has got ingested by the motor is most likely.

Contact your retailer.

Or get new motor off web.