Introduction: USB Gamepad Slotcartimer - Ir-lotsensor

About: I studied Design and Context, Education in the Arts and Fine Arts (Department of Photography) at the Academy of fine arts Vienna. Have been teaching 10+ years since then. I love sailing, kayaking, canoeing an…

This is the second variation of my slotcar timer interface. Where the gamepad was triggered by a "deadstrip" the first time I am now using an IR-slotsensor to trigger the gamepad.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDIT
The third and refined version can be found here:
https://www.instructables.com/id/cheap-USB-slotcar...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


Step 1: Partlist

  • TCST 2103 ir-slotsensor

  • Darlington transistor BD679 NPN

  • 5 V/DC Reed relay

  • 10kOhm and 100Ohm resistor

  • z-diode 5V LED

  • (optional but good for testing)

This will set you back some 4-6€, depending on where you source parts.

I am leaving cheap and going for a "perfect" solution.

Step 2:

Here is the circuit.
The LED is optional but you can test your circuit with it.


Step 3: Things to Improve...

I am not sure at this point how accurate the hardware will detect the cars.
It will probably work good with 1:32 cars but have a hard time detecting 1:43 scale cars.
When I pull a toothpick through the ir sensor they are not always detected. 1:43 slotguide pins will probably not get detected.

The reed switch closes very fast and works rather good.

Ideas how the stretch the switching would really be appreciated.

I also bought an opti coupler, this it the next part I would love to test.

Of course the slotsensors would have to be installed in the slot.


I am just learning electronics for some days now so please excuse any stupidity I may display writing about this vast topic.