Ok.....so now you've seen the "beginning" of the system. I need to take some more pics....cause I've had it running several times already and it works FLAWLESS!!!!!! However, it's Half-done! In other words, I've got half the track cover with the TWS.....the other half remains to be done. Currently, I do the other half by hand.....or I set up a "hammer style" sprinkler and let it work for 10-15 minutes. As for the underground TWS that I have.....5 minutes is all it takes!!!! I love NOT having dust all the time and NOT having to spend 15 minutes wetting the same area by hand! It took me about 3-4 hours to do the what I shown you here. It's was worth it!!!! Sure it took time......but I hated the TIME I spent getting the track ready! Now, I just turn on the water, put the battery pack in the vehicles and by the time I get back......I turn the water off and run!!! It's awesome!!!!
As for the other half......I am debating to use the Inline sprinklers again or one Hammer-style Sprinkler.....Like I've been using....but only make it "permanent". I think I am going to using the single sprinkler because then I don't have to go under the sidewalk again with the hose.
I'll be sure to keep you guys updated on how that goes. And, I'll get some pics of the finished TWS in action....so you can see for yourself how well it works.
Now.....I have a NEW problem(but, I've already found the solution)!!!! Because I like to wet the track.....it gives much better traction and keeps the dust down.......everytime I go into my garage to change the battery packs.....I "track"(no pun intended) in dirt from my shoes and vehicles! Now my garage is constantly dirty and dusty!!!!!! Call me picky......but, hey......I like to be presentable when people come over to my house. Anyway, I got this idea from one of YOU guys out there from some other "track forum"!!!!! Thanks!!!!
As always, I don't throw anything away.....and this time it was in the form of a heavy duty work bench that was at my former machine shop! My best friend and I went to get it last week and.....MAN......I forgot that it weighed more than 300 pounds!!!! Heavy duty pipe for legs, 2"x2"x1/4" Angle iron for the edges and 1/8" steel deck!!!!! The deck is a little rusty in some places but who cares. It's been beat on a few times so the table top isn't exactly perfect......but it will be 25 years before it rusts away to nothing.......and that won't happen cause I'll make sure it's always painted! Right now it's primer gray like it's been for the last 10 years......don't know if I'll change it or keep it that way. It kind of matches the chain link fence!!!! Anyway, we managed to manhandle it into the truck and then into my backyard against the fence. Now, I change batts, perform minor adjustments, etc. on the outdoor table.....It's so AWESOME!!!! Next, I'll be routing a compressed air line and electricity from the garage to the table!!! Then, dirt in the garage will be virtually NON existent!!!!!! I've got this handy "briefcase" that has a lot of my tools in....so it's portable to go to the outside table to the inside workbench in a heartbeat. I just need to find a suitable "outdoor" seating for the table. I'll get pics soon so you can see this beast and why it's such a beauty.
I've also been working on designs for track lighting. I been thinking about using PVC pipe as light poles througout the track and burying outdoor extension cords to each one. If I use those newer flourescent, outdoor floodlights......I should be able to plug them all on one 20 amp cicuit and be fine for the several hours they would be used. I know I can ask around and find extension cords that farmers, ranchers and businesses have had to replace cause the ends where trashed.......just buy and install new ends!!!! I plan to use the cheap $5-$7 flood lamp housings you can get at any hardware store. I just want to be sure that none of the lights are pointing in the direction of where the drivers will be standing.
Man, some people probably think I'm nuts putting all this time and little money into my backyard considering it'll be mainly me and my kids runnin on it. LOL... Although it's open to anyone who'll respect it........I just want to have some fun while I'm alive.....you know?!! I've been tellng myself that I'm gonna build a track since I was 12 years old. And I've built 5......and this is my best one yet! Of course, this is the second I've built on my property. The first 3 ......one was in an empty lot that eventually got developed.....the next one was on a piece of land FAR, FAR away(I guess I was desperate.....and my mother didn't drive me to it often)......the one after that was on my best friend's dad property(the one that helped me move the table)......that one was outside of town and had NO access to water or toilet.....but at least I was 16 then and could drive to it. The last one was PERFECT except for ONE thing......NO shade from the sun. BUT, it was at my place of business. I had parking, electricity, workbench(es), public restrooms, water, driver's stand, shelter in the event of bad weather(even for the spectators), less than a minute's drive from town(right past the fast food joints)...........just no shade from the sun around the track area. Then......when I had finished the track......and was 2 months from using it publicly.....my dad sells the property without telling me he is going to do that!!!!! WHATEVER!!!!!!!!
Now......I finally have one......and it's almost complete......and I get to run on it anytime I can/want to!!!!! But, it's still far from my ultimate goal!!!!! The "community track"!!!!! That, my friends, is another story in another forum. But, you can check out what I am talking about by going to the "Club" area of RCU and looking for XRC Racing club.
Thanks again for looking guys/gals. I'll be posting again when I get more!!!!
Ob1n of RCU
Be sure to check out my latest review!!!!
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=871