NB some copper tape is not electrically conductive on the adhesive side, so take care when purchasing. I have used this technique over several joints, with about two inch lengths, (my track is fixed down), and it works perfectly now.
That’s cool, I was going to just put it down on the joints also, the conductive adhesive still had too high of resistance so I laid it down on the entire rails, thanks for your comment much appreciated
I hope your tape holds up to the weather. Nine years ago I added copper tape to my track that is also suspended from the ceiling in my garage. I used Parma P716 Copper Slot Track Tape and I sooo much regret it now. The tape didn't hold together in the expansion and contraction temperature swings and broke in numerous places around the track and since I used copper tape designed for slot car tracks instead of another kind of tape that uses conductive adhesive I ended up with just as many dead spots around the track and now over the years I am pealing it up every chance I get which requires a lot of cleaning agent to get the glue off the rails. I addition to those problems the tape would come loose near the connection points and cause short circuits. On the old analog that wouldn't be an issue just pump more amps across the rails and burn the shorted area out, but with the digital power base and digital lane changers I haven't found an easy way to locate the shorts. Just recently I spent 3 days going around the track inch by inch with a cardboard nail file in the slots until I found the tiny piece of copper.
Thanks for the info friend, so far good here, we’ll see what happens this winter but it seems to be holding well so far. The tape you used, was it for a wood routed track?
I didn't see any indication as to plastic or wood, I never considered it may be for wood since every wood track I've ever seen was steel or copper braid not taped.@@ted.slotcardaddy
I bought a carrera 124 digital used and was left hanging. Moisture and maybe they put something on the metal connects at the tips fell apart when I tried to clean them up. I thought I would be able to just order more since carrera has so many parts.(must be 10,000, maybe 100,000,. anyhow they don't. so this is going to save me from having to buy more track from confusing carrera dealers. So thank You Sir.
Wow I'm facing power issues today and already frustrated to no end . Is it tape or did you glue it. I think your on to something it makes sense thank you for sharing.
Hey Wildman thanks, I'm not in a climate controlled environment so this was my last resort and it works. spent a day looking for a fix on TH-cam and got the idea from watching wood tracks being built. they run a continuous copper braid for their rails and it just made sense to not depend on the plastic track connection.
NB some copper tape is not electrically conductive on the adhesive side, so take care when purchasing. I have used this technique over several joints, with about two inch lengths, (my track is fixed down), and it works perfectly now.
That’s cool, I was going to just put it down on the joints also, the conductive adhesive still had too high of resistance so I laid it down on the entire rails, thanks for your comment much appreciated
Sure like your track. Also glad you shared your "fix" look forward to some more racing. Stay calm and enjoy!
thanks Robert, it gets a little frustrating but were cool now.
Thanks for sharing...Very helpful info! Can't wait to see to it back up and running!
It’s back up and running great
Great idea, I like your solution to the expansion and contraction issues
Thanks Man your appreciated my friend
I hope your tape holds up to the weather. Nine years ago I added copper tape to my track that is also suspended from the ceiling in my garage. I used Parma P716 Copper Slot Track Tape and I sooo much regret it now. The tape didn't hold together in the expansion and contraction temperature swings and broke in numerous places around the track and since I used copper tape designed for slot car tracks instead of another kind of tape that uses conductive adhesive I ended up with just as many dead spots around the track and now over the years I am pealing it up every chance I get which requires a lot of cleaning agent to get the glue off the rails. I addition to those problems the tape would come loose near the connection points and cause short circuits. On the old analog that wouldn't be an issue just pump more amps across the rails and burn the shorted area out, but with the digital power base and digital lane changers I haven't found an easy way to locate the shorts. Just recently I spent 3 days going around the track inch by inch with a cardboard nail file in the slots until I found the tiny piece of copper.
Thanks for the info friend, so far good here, we’ll see what happens this winter but it seems to be holding well so far. The tape you used, was it for a wood routed track?
I didn't see any indication as to plastic or wood, I never considered it may be for wood since every wood track I've ever seen was steel or copper braid not taped.@@ted.slotcardaddy
I bought a carrera 124 digital used and was left hanging. Moisture and maybe they put something on the metal connects at the tips fell apart when I tried to clean them up. I thought I would be able to just order more since carrera has so many parts.(must be 10,000, maybe 100,000,. anyhow they don't. so this is going to save me from having to buy more track from confusing carrera dealers. So thank You Sir.
Thanks for watching, glad you found the video helpful
Great informative video
Glad you like it friend
Very nice fix
Thanks for watching, still working so far.
6 Months on, are you still using this set up with the copper tape? Thanks Brother !
Yes Dan, no issues as of yet. thanks buddy for watching
Wow I'm facing power issues today and already frustrated to no end . Is it tape or did you glue it. I think your on to something it makes sense thank you for sharing.
Hey Wildman thanks, I'm not in a climate controlled environment so this was my last resort and it works. spent a day looking for a fix on TH-cam and got the idea from watching wood tracks being built. they run a continuous copper braid for their rails and it just made sense to not depend on the plastic track connection.
peel and stick Wildman
Well thats great 👍 again makes sense . I will look further into this thank you
Great info!! Thanks for sharing!!!