Hi folks,

being thrifty where it feels right for me I´m still sticking to my Parma Eco controllers. They work flawlessly since I soldered "bypass cables" from the wiper button to the black wires!

The only thing I really hate about them are those sharp-edged pressed steel triggers - I always come (came...) home from a race with a bloody middle finger. Yes, I know: They´re designed to be used with your index finger but it´s just a (bad?) habit of mine...

As rounding the steel triggers´ edges didn´t really solve that problem I made up my mind about how to lengthen the trigger. Now this is the result:

http://www.aus-dem-rahmen-gefallen.de/slotcars/ch_parma_eco_04.jpg

I used a bit of "Magic Sculp" (cleaned the inside of the U-shaped trigger thoroughly before) and sculpted a trigger extension. BTW: I inserted a short carbon fibre rod to reinforce the Epoxi piece (the black spot on the extension´s tip is the carbon rod´s end).

http://www.aus-dem-rahmen-gefallen.de/slotcars/ch_parma_eco_02.jpg

After some 100´s of test laps I have to say I really like it! Now I´m thinking about what to do with my other 4 Ecos - do it the same way or even cast a similar piece in resin? Yes, I´ve read that the later style Nylon trigger is available as a spare part too, but as mentioned above I´m sometimes a bit thrifty... :hat:

Greetings from Germany,

Claus

www.c-jet500.de.vu

I'd like to here more about those jumper wires, Because I'm going to put 120 ohm resistors in and could do that while I'm doing the other. Please

The new econo-controllers have a plastic trigger. I got to use one of those fancy new parma variable controllers, I really liked it. At $100 it might be a while before I get one. Those old metal triggers can blister a finger pretty quick. Parma should sell just the plastic trigger. Hmm, I wonder if they do.

Yes they do Craig...

A prosthetic trigger enhancer. Very interesting.

Isn't a bloody trigger finger a badge of honor? Grunt grunt grunt.

Hey Claus-
Great Idea, man! I thought I was the only guy that used the middle finger!
My index finger was broken badly in a sawmill accident 30 years ago so I had to switch. It is damm uncomfortable. I use the same controllers, and got a can of rubber dip from my brother in law, as he coated his parma triggers. Now I'm thinkin do what you are doin, and coat them also! (I keep hearin Tim the Toolman in my mind- Oh its Afxtoo grunting!)
Thanks for the great tip!

Later Circle Track DAC

PS- I see you are left handed as I am, but for some reason I race right handed. Maybe I should try to get in my "right" mind!

Was also going to suggest rubberized coating, or siliconing trigger to a custom fit by overlaying almost cured silicone rubber applied to trigger with a layer of plastic wrap (to keep finger from sticking), then holding trigger with finger utilized until the silicone takes a "set". You would them have a custom fit comfortable trigger.
Also intrigued by DAC's comment about using offhand to race. Me too. Natural Lefty - race right. I'm waaay better racing with my offhand - could be that your prime hand is usually a little more well developed, and ingrained to strength, and handling a wide range of actions which require dexterity, as opposed to training your offhand to do one thing well - slot race!

I'd like to here more about those jumper wires, Because I'm going to put 120 ohm resistors in and could do that while I'm doing the other. Please

I just took a couple of closeups of my 95 Ohm Eco chassis for you:

http://www.aus-dem-rahmen-gefallen.de/slotcars/forum/ch_eco_bypass_01.jpg

http://www.aus-dem-rahmen-gefallen.de/slotcars/forum/ch_eco_bypass_02.jpg

http://www.aus-dem-rahmen-gefallen.de/slotcars/forum/ch_eco_bypass_03.jpg

The thing I call "bypass" is the black silicone cable that connects the black controller wire with the wiper button. Much better than the standard electrical connection via the spring. BTW: Soldering the pickup button to the wiper arm doesn´t hurt either as you are at it...

What´s essentially is to find a nice flexible cable (I prefer silicone isolated ones) and cut it to the right length. The cable has to move absolutely parallel to the wiper arm and must not interfere with the controller action! If it gets bent or stressed the soldering points will break - usually in the middle of a race...!

Greetings from Germany,

Claus

www.c-jet500.de.vu

Hi DAC,

and I always thought I was the only one using the middle finger for anything other than showing it off...

A friend of mine put a piece of shrinking tube over his Eco trigger, while I was experimenting with rubber coating the metal trigger too, but both alternatives didn´t solve the main problem, i.e. being the trigger just too short for middle finger action.

BTW: I´m "75% right handed" today (I held the controller in my left hand because my camera can be actuated only with the right hand)! I was born (in 1967) as a "genuine lefty" - that was the time when parents were still forcing their children to use the "right" hand whenever I was grabbing my toys with the "wrong" hand.

Today we´re fortunately wiser and being left handed is generally accepted... But who cares? I have an excuse for "strange behaviors" like still playing with toy cars AND I´m able to use both my hands quite well - I´m writing with my right hand today, but for certain kinds of delicate work (e.g. painting details) I sometimes prefer my left.

Hmm, maybe I should try to use my left hand for racing then???

Best regards and greetings from Germany,

Claus

www.c-jet500.de.vu

Hey Claus-
Great Idea, man! I thought I was the only guy that used the middle finger!
My index finger was broken badly in a sawmill accident 30 years ago so I had to switch. It is damm uncomfortable. I use the same controllers, and got a can of rubber dip from my brother in law, as he coated his parma triggers. Now I'm thinkin do what you are doin, and coat them also! (I keep hearin Tim the Toolman in my mind- Oh its Afxtoo grunting!)
Thanks for the great tip!

Later Circle Track DAC

PS- I see you are left handed as I am, but for some reason I race right handed. Maybe I should try to get in my "right" mind!

Thankyou Clausheupel those pictures help alot, just what I needed.