HOW TO MAKE YOUR MINI;Z COUNT
Install a transponder
in your micro ride
BY LITO REYES
Kyosho’s Mini-Z line of 1/28-scale cars are still very popular racing ma- chines, as witnessed by the turnout for the Mini-Z racing events at RCX in Southern California. In fact, PN Racing, a popular manufacturer of Mini-Z hop-ups, holds a monthly international racing series where every participating track uses the same layout and submits its local participants’ times to a
worldwide database to determine the winner. Accurate race timing is critical, so
automated lap counting is used, whether it is the popular MyLaps RF system or the
infrared-based GiroZ system. We’ll show you how to install a transponder in one of
these miniature race machines without using any special connectors.
Below: ;e Giro Z unit uses a wire that already has eyelets attached. Right: A jack from an old receiver harness will do the trick for a MyLaps transponder. ;e signal wire isn’t needed, so it can be cut o ;. If you want to get fancy, attach some small eyelets, but bare wire will work just fine.
First, you’ll need a connector. For a MyLaps
transponder, you’ll need a standard servo
jack. I have plenty of spare receiver pack
harnesses laying around, so I just cut o;
the jack lead from one of those. GiroZ units
use their own connector, but we’re going to
use the same method as we do the MyLaps
unit. If you’re in a hurry to mount your MyLaps unit, you
can just use bare wire from your servo jack wires. For a
cleaner installation, crimp or solder on mini eyelets.
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