Search found 162 matches

by John Shreffler
Fri Mar 17, 2017 12:57 pm
Forum: New Directions
Topic: Redesign of Microwizard Freedom start
Replies: 0
Views: 18352

Redesign of Microwizard Freedom start

We have completely redesigned the remote controlled start gate mechanism for the aluminum Freedom Track. The new design does not require any modification to the track, and does not even require tools to install. :scratching: (Ok, you will need a pair of pliers to make a quick adjustment to the .062&...
by John Shreffler
Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:00 pm
Forum: New Directions
Topic: More New Pinewood Product for the Coming Season
Replies: 1
Views: 8653

More New Pinewood Product for the Coming Season

1. I put fault lights into the LT4 Light Tree, so it is now also good for true drag racing (2 Lane, split gates) http://www.newdirections.ws/splitgate.html http://www.newdirections.ws/images/lt4f.jpg 2. A handy electrical outlet-surge suppressor which also grounds the BestTrack. This is a subject th...
by John Shreffler
Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:26 pm
Forum: New Directions
Topic: New Pinewood Derby Product Available Now
Replies: 0
Views: 26016

New Pinewood Derby Product Available Now

I am in stock on our new LT4 Light Tree. It operates all of our solenoid gates and also the Jewkes mechanism. Please stop by and take a look. It got a preview at the Mid-America Derby a few months back.
http://www.newdirections.ws/lighttree.htm#lt4
by John Shreffler
Thu Jul 02, 2015 3:39 pm
Forum: New Directions
Topic: Free Light Tree (Update)
Replies: 1
Views: 8899

Free Light Tree (Update)

New Update: For the ESS owners, and especially the six who got free light trees, I am now offering a modification (available in kit form) that will enable your ESS and Light Tree work together. http://www.newdirections.ws/ess.htm Update: I can't afford to send out many more Light Trees to ESS owners...
by John Shreffler
Mon Mar 23, 2015 10:41 am
Forum: New Directions
Topic: Light Tree Sale (Exclusive to Derby Talk Viewers)
Replies: 3
Views: 11108

Re: Light Tree Sale (Exclusive to Derby Talk Viewers)

Well, thank you for the kind words Sporty. That gets you a free Light Tree, if you can use it on your own track.
For mounting details, what kind of track do you have at the moment? Is the Haskel addy still good?
by John Shreffler
Sat Mar 21, 2015 8:49 am
Forum: New Directions
Topic: Light Tree Sale (Exclusive to Derby Talk Viewers)
Replies: 3
Views: 11108

Light Tree Sale (Exclusive to Derby Talk Viewers)

The New Directions Tree Model LT3-E, normally $199, is on sale here only for $99. When calling in your order 703-319-0840, just mention the word "Derby Talk" and pocket $100. The LT3-E is designed to operate all of our starting gates. It begins countdown by three different methods: IR remo...
by John Shreffler
Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:52 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Calculate car speed.
Replies: 29
Views: 46976

Re: Calculate car speed.

Randy: I certainly agree that such a feature would have no place in the racing. But in this thread, I got the sense that the interest was to learn about performance during car construction and fine-tuning. If you were to put it into GPRM, it would only be available to the Transponder because of the ...
by John Shreffler
Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:34 am
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Calculate car speed.
Replies: 29
Views: 46976

Re: Calculate car speed.

.... But, twice the holes, twice the hardware, more structure overhead... Not exactly. It is twice the holes, and twice the sensors, but this is trivial because sensors are only ten cents apiece. If anyone is really serious about doing this final speed project, I will provide him absolutely free of...
by John Shreffler
Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:41 pm
Forum: General Off Topic
Topic: Any Environmentalists Around?
Replies: 1
Views: 16458

Re: Any Environmentalists Around?

For anyone interested in how the Save the Forest Project worked out, see http://www.wbcrier.com" target="_blank And don't miss the link to the article by Tom Jackman of the Washington Post. :D
by John Shreffler
Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:57 pm
Forum: New Directions
Topic: Pearl Harbor Day Sale
Replies: 0
Views: 18594

Pearl Harbor Day Sale

http://www.newdirections.ws/images/tr15.jpg Sale ends noon EST Friday Dec 7. 2012. Transponders on sale for one eighth the price of the Champ. Product information: http://www.newdirections.ws/tr.htm" target="_blank http://www.newdirections.ws/trb2.htm" target="_blank Example: A ...
by John Shreffler
Sun Nov 11, 2012 6:10 pm
Forum: New Directions
Topic: The TRANSPONDER now available for ALL tracks
Replies: 3
Views: 13355

The TRANSPONDER now available for ALL tracks

http://www.newdirections.ws/images/tr15.jpg Check us out. Why spend three times the price for something that nobody looks at? Derby software and video projection has combined to change how people think about a finish line. Remember when a telephone was something that hung on a kitchen wall? Same th...
by John Shreffler
Fri Oct 05, 2012 2:41 pm
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Looking for current opinions of timer brands
Replies: 9
Views: 17783

Re: Looking for current opinions of timer brands

Oh, now I understand. Yes, you can’t put a row of sensors down deep. Each has to be able to see the light source.

The sensors need to be up at the top of the holes like this:
Image

[moderator edit to remove advertising]
by John Shreffler
Fri Oct 05, 2012 6:28 am
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Looking for current opinions of timer brands
Replies: 9
Views: 17783

Re: Looking for current opinions of timer brands

As one of the makers of the low-cost high performance finish lines to which Randy refers, please let me address the illumination issue: Almost all incandescent bulbs over the finish line will work, but some are better than others. What you are looking for are sharp shadows. You get that by having a ...
by John Shreffler
Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:39 pm
Forum: General Off Topic
Topic: Any Environmentalists Around?
Replies: 1
Views: 16458

Any Environmentalists Around?

You are cordially invited to a project that I am working on out here in Virginia. Our Department of Transportation thinks it is a good idea to bury the top mile of a spring-fed Potomac River tributary, and build a new highway over it. Whether or not that sounds like a good idea, you might find our r...
by John Shreffler
Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:00 pm
Forum: New Directions
Topic: Meet the TRANSPONDER
Replies: 1
Views: 8028

Meet the TRANSPONDER

New! From New Directions: The TRANSPONDER http://www.newdirections.ws/images/tr08.jpg This is simply a repackaging of the J Series (v2.04) Judge, with small outline chips, built into a box about the size of a golf ball. While the photo shows the model for the BestTrack, it is available also for wood...