FAQs

It came about through wanting to simply have a better, more powerful, robust system for club and commercial use.

Unlike conventional digital systems, Scorpius does not use the slot rails to transfer digital information to cars or lane changers. Rather data is sent wirelessly at 2.4GHz in a digital form. It also allows customising of your power requirements easy without being restricted. Power wise the Scorpius system can cope with any demand that is ever likely to occur in any commercial club or home situation.

The system has 4 components:

• Wireless car decoder
• Wireless throttle
• Wireless lane changer electronics
• Wireless USB dongle

These form a LAN (Local area network) where any component can send or receive data to any other component(s) if and when required.

Up to 24 cars may be raced simultaneously.

Yes, up to 3 Scorpius systems maybe run in one environment (coming 2012).

Reflashing is another name for reprogramming any of the Scorpius components.

Online through the website. Retailers around the world will also sell Scorpius.

Secure credit card facility or direct deposit via bank.

Scorpius is a stand alone system. No existing system on the market is compatible to Scorpius Wireless.

Scorpius is a stand alone system. No existing system on the market is compatible to Scorpius Wireless.

1 x Scorpius car chip, 1 x Scorpius throttle, 2 x Scorpius Lane Brain (one to count laps. One to change lane) , 1 x Scorpius dongle.

No

Simply connect output of power supply directly to track rails. Observe polarity.

Same as a single supply. The second and subsequent power supplies should be evenly spaced around track to get maximum benefit. The power supply should be current limited and of the same type. Set to the same voltage. It is not critical if the volts are not exactly identical between supplies.

Re-programming is replacing the existing firmware on your Scorpius components with the latest update.

Reconfiguring is not to be confused with re-programming. Reconfiguring is changing settings on the various components. Example changing car ID, brake settings or throttle curve etc.

To reflash controller:

1. Click on Scorpius Throttle Booter program on PC.
2. Press Menu button for 2 seconds to activate menu on controller.
3. Use Menu knob to scroll to “Reflash from PC”
4. On PC press “Download” to prompt
5. On the controller press LC button to start download.
6. On PC download progress bar should start filling from 0 to 100%
7. Press “Close” once the progress bar is full.
8. After 5 seconds controller screen will return to the home page.
9. Close Scorpius Throttle Booter program on PC.

Your controller has now been reflashed (upgraded) wirelessly

Click open the Scorpius car decoder boot program on your PC, remove car from track for 5 seconds and replace back on track, press OK to reflash, you now have the latest firmware.

Click open the Scorpius Lane Brain boot program on your PC, press reset button on Lane Brain, press OK on PC program. The Lane Brain now moves flippers every 3 seconds to confirm it went into boot mode. Switch off Lane Brain for 3 seconds and turn back on. Close program on PC. You now have the latest Lane Brain firmware.

Click open Scorpius Throttle Setup program on your PC, adjust settings to your requirements. Press menu button on the throttle controller for 2 seconds to open menu. Use menu dial to scroll to “Config from PC”. Press LC button on throttle controller, press OK on PC program, press LC button on throttle controller to escape.

Press menu for 2 seconds to open menu. Use menu dial to scroll to desired function, press LC button to select function. Use menu dial to select value, press LC button to lock in value, press LC button to escape.

It sends and receives data wirelessly. It operates the voltage regulator on the car chip allowing the car to go and stop. It enables car to change lanes by interacting with the lane changer electronics. It is wirelessly upgradeable. It has 6 function outputs for future functions. See specification for full description.

30mm x 15mm.

16V 100uF.

No

No

20m to 100m depending on surrounding structures.

3 amps.

See reprogramming section.

See Reconfiguring section.

2.4 GHz

Complete with electronics, trigger and battery case.

24

2x AAA batteries

In the throttle handle.

No. Interference is possible but the system detects this and hops to another available channel.

No Scorpius controllers do not rely on line of sight. Scorpius signal can bounce around or even penetrate light structures.

Three.

Three – Brake, Menu and Sensitivity.

Yes in increments of 1%

By using Scorpius throttle set up software or using a brake trim pot on throttle.

Yes

By using the menu dial.

Ten preset throttle curves are supplied. Simply adjust the dial to select the sensitivity that best suits your driving style and motor and power configuration.

The controller ID is shown on the controller home screen.

Yes, by using Throttle Test Program.

Version number, throttle zeroing and full throttle, dynamic brakes, LC and manual brake buttons.

See Configuring section.

No

No

The enclosure is around 130x80x30mm. The Lane Brain circuit board is 70x50x7mm.

Separately with or without optional enclosure.

Screw to underside of track table or use Velcro tabs for quick removal/replacement.

The Lane Brain must be powered directly off rails. They must not be powered using a separate power supply.

A diagram will be provided. The wires that go to your flipper drivers (solenoids) are cut, the old electronics bypassed and the wires routed to the Lane Brain. A wire to liven the flipper to correct polarity is also available.

Only wiring.

Any custom made lane changer. Also works with SSD (Hornby), Ninco and Carrera. It will not work with SCX.

The Lane Brain is upgradeable in the same way as any Scorpius component, see “Programming” section.

To enable cars to change lanes, to count laps, to recognise car IDs, and to implement a driver preferred raceline.

Scorpius is designed for club, commercial and top end home use. Anyone with any basic technical skill, able to read and interpret diagrams, ability to solder is required.

Screwdrivers, wire strippers, pliers, soldering iron, multimeter optional.

Lane Brain can operate any single or double lane changer.

All track hardware for the entry flipper is duplicated for the exit flipper. Lane Brain has capacity for full functionality in bi-directional mode for single lane changers only. Full functionality for double lane changers in bi-directional mode requires 2 Lane Brains.

Sends and receives data from other Scorpius components as required to operate.

Plugs into your USB port.

No its USB powered.

70x30x8mm approx.

Allow you to adjust settings, example car ID, brakes, throttle curve, diagnose system components such as throttle ID, battery life and to run future proposed programs such as ghost and safety cars, and existing programs such as PBRL (Programmable Best Race Line).

Initially the following:

• Boot programs
• Throttle Setup
• Throttle Test
• Throttle Capture and Playback
• Car Driver
• Lane Brain Setup

Yes using the Car Driver ghost car program.

Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7.

Via the websites download section

Yes Scorpius RMS is planned for September release 2011.