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The Stage III and Stage III R controllers can run the full range of HO cars from ThunderJets to Super Stocks including the following types:
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The Stage III controller requires no switches to switch between Resistor and Electronic modes. Just insert the appropriate control board. To switch control board just wiggle the board up and out and push in the new board. The controller does not need to be disassembled to switch boards. Swapping control boards takes about 5 seconds. Sensitivity is controlled by an 11 position switch that ensures a uniform change throughout the rotation. By using a switch instead of a potentiometer the value of the pot can be changed with the control board since the resistors that set the values of the switch positions are located on the control boards. Use of a single value pot would not cover the entire 30-360 ohm range evenly and would severely distort the response curves. Controller settings are easily repeatable without looking at the controller. Just count the detents during rotation. The main power transistor is fully isolated when the controller has an RCB inserted for Resistor mode. A failed transistor will not render the controller useless. The controller will work on positive and negative gate tracks when only two wires are used and on positive gate tracks when all three wires are used. The Stage III features an electronic coast that will slow the car all the way down to full stop. The Stage III R has a 100 adjustable resistive coast. Both versions have adjustable 100 ohm resistive brakes. The resting/brake band is active for brakes and coast. Unlike some controllers this active band means zero lag between coast/brakes and first band power application. Full contact pressure connections ensure maximum power and braking. A Dual-Color Power LED ensures a proper connection while a Fuse LED lights RED if the fuse is blown or not screwed in all the way. The 1.5-Amp Fast-Blow fuse is hidden in the handle. The power transistor is mounted on an internal heat sink in the handle so there are no sharp edges or heavy weights to cause a safety hazard. Total weight of the controller is 12 oz. Every controller features heavy duty 14 gauge flexible silicone wire with 43” from handle to clips, a full foot longer than stock wire. |
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Adjustable Resistor Control Boards (RCB) are available in 30-60, 45-90, 60-120, 75-150, 90-180, 120-240, and 180-360 ranges. The resistor boards overlap to allow for different response curves for the same resistance. All adjustable resistors exhibit an aggressive response (less than half resistance at half pull) at the high ohm end and linear to sluggish response at the low ohm end. For example if 120 ohms is the desired resistance, a 60-120, with the 120 at the high end of the adjustable range will provide the most aggressive response. Instead of being 60 ohms at half pull it will be more like 40 ohms. This is the same Nitro response of the BRP Stage I/II controllers. A 75-150 has the 120 in the upper half of the adjustable range so it will be less responsive than the 60-120 board at 120 ohms. The 90-180 has 120 ohms in the lower half of the adjustable range which would provide close to a linear response, 60 ohms at half pull. The 120-240 board has the 120 ohms on the low end so the 120 ohm position would be on the sluggish side. The Sensitivity switch uses the resistors on the RCB to setup the ohm values for each switch position for a given board. These values are selected so that each switch position changes the ohm value 1/10th the total range. This means that on a 60-120 RCB, each switch position will change the ohm value 6 ohms (60/10), exactly. By knowing the exact resistance, you can easily switch to another board at the same resistance for a different curve or be in the center of the range. If an RCB is desired with a tighter range, for example, 110-130 where each switch position is only 2 ohms, it can be made. Almost any type of RCB can be made. Just ask. |
Only one Electronic Control Board is available. It has a linear response and covers the same range as all the resistor boards. All Control Boards are assembled with Lead-Free solder and are safe to handle. All boards are inserted into a controller and checked for accuracy. |
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Wiping Surface
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The wiping surface is Gold over Nickel-Plated copper. The gold is present only to aid in soldering and will wear away to the hard nickel surface underneath. As with any friction surface, lubrication is necessary to prevent premature wear of the nickel plating. Wizzard’s Black Gold or Parma’s Braid Conditioner are good choices. The Wiper Surface also houses the dual color Power LED and blown Fuse LED. |
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--- The wiping surface is Gold/Nickel plated for more resilience. --- The RCB’s utilize individual resistors vice resistance wire. The resistors are more robust and are replaceable, if necessary. --- To minimize leadwire breakage the leadwire has been repositioned to the fulcrum of the trigger. --- All Control Boards are of the blade type. There are no pins to get damaged or bent. --- The Stage III is the only Electronic Controller that can still function with a blown transistor. Switch to RCBs and resistor mode and continue racing until the transistor can be replaced. --- Heavy insulated 14 gauge flexible silicone wire will not kink or break like stock wires. Note: The wiping surface will break in with use as the Gold plating gives way to the Nickel-plated surface. It will get even smoother with use. |
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