OmniSlotBox enables use of any analog slotcar on Carrera digital track.

 Yes when in the Digital mode, all Carrera functions work as they should. Of course you cannot use the switches in Analog mode.  Normal Analog function is one car per lane. Race formats are typically "round robin" so any number of drivers can be accommodated.  All drivers run all lanes for equal time.  Most laps wins. 

No.  OmniSlotBox provides true high power analog.  So you can use any analog controller that suits your car.  Also using a variable power supply you can tune the track power to the speed and sensitivity to a sweet spot.  With two power supplies you can adjust each lane independently to match them or to slow down cars for young drivers. 

Through careful design, robust construction, years of testing, easy installation and accessible support, OmniSlotBox makes switching between carrera Digital and true high amperage Analog practical.

Mixing standard Carrera analog and Carrera systems without OmniSlotBox will definitely cause failures.  Complex rewiring or using decoders in boxes to power analog lanes cars is also problematic.  Early Carrera Pro-X lane switches and Curved switches have jumpers that connect the two lane into one circuit. For analog to work correctly lanes must be on separate "isolated" circuits.  

With the exception of curved switches., all Carrera post Pro-X product is wired for isolated  lanes.  Occasionally, we see problems with incorrectly installed power taps.  For this reason, we include a tool to confirm isolation and instruction on how to easily isolate your lanes if any problems are found.  We have never had any damage to track components in 5 years of frequent actual race testing of OmniSlotBox prototypes. 

If lanes remain connected, analog will not work correctly as both lanes would be powered by one controller, but even then, there would not be any damage to Carrera components.  

Here is why: Carrera lane switches and accessories connect to the positive rail of one lane and the negative of the other. This works because in digital mode, both lanes are in the same circuit. OmniSlotBox separates the two lanes so no current  flow through the Carrera electronics at all in analog mode.

 Good question, because the curve switches seem to be the only Carrera parts that still have a jumper between lanes. To run analog on any track the two lanes must not share a connection between positive rails. All OmniSlotBox kits include a conductivity test tool so you can easily check for and find any connections between positive rails. Usually this is only found on curve switches and early "Pro-X" switch sections. Our users manual shows how easy it is to make curved switches analog compatible with no special tools, parts or soldering required.  Thanks for asking! 

All Carrera accessories asn switches will work normally in Digital mode. They are disabled in Analog mode.  For that reason we recommend an analog timing system like TrackMate,  It more than replaced the functionality of the Carrera accessories 

When using a variable power supply with Carrera digital is important to always set voltage between 12.5 and 18 volts.  In the unlikely event that you do use voltages out of this range for analog, adjust voltage  before switching to Digital mode.  Carrera electronics and switches will not work properly at lower or high voltages and failures could occur. The most common failure is a switch flipper getting bent due to an incomplete or slow switch.  This sometimes occurs with normal Carrera use, but the most likely cause is insufficient voltage to the switch.  For best performance and reliability we recommend multiple power taps on large tracks and running 18 volts when in digital mode. Most customers with good power taps like running 14.5  volts at all times with both modes. Carrera 1/24 scale cars are slow on 14.5 volts, so either adjust to 18 vlots when running them or fit your 1/24 cars with RMS  motors and they will be plenty fast on the same 14.5 that the 1/32 like. When running 18 Volts in digital mode 1/32 cars will be too fast but you can slow them with the CU speed control or in race control software.  

 OmniSlotBox has connections for two analog controllers and outputs for two analog lanes. Addtiopnal analog only lanes cane added as with any analog track. To run more than two lanes with ALL being Analog/Digital switchable, will require a special unit. We are designing a 4 lane unit, but delivery date is uncertain. We are not convinced yet that there is demand for this as most clients feel that two lane Digital/Analog with additional lanes Analog only is fine. There is in no problem with more digital lanes such as pit lanes or wide tracks, but sharing those lanes as independent analog lanes is more difficult. If that is what you need, let us know, as we could do a custom unit or front burner the 4 lane project.

Several things... Chipping a fleet of cars can really add up, and installing chips in some cars is difficult and time consuming.  Most track owners i know have an average of 25 cars.  Chipping 25 cars @  $40 per car is $1,000.

Chips limit motors that can be used.  They can only carry so much current before overheating. With true "chipless" analog and a good power supply you can run a whole universe of cars that would kill chips including vintage cars that often have less efficient motors and more powerful motors including those used in metal chassis commercial cars.  

If you really want to scratch build, you can even wind your own armatures and prepare motor set-up as the racers of the 1960's did and top racers still do today. Top quality motors are tunable and rebuildable.  You are not limited to generic disposable motors.  

We really like Digital racing, but true "chipless" Analog has other advantages too.  There are a huge variety of analog controllers from very inexpensive to extremely exotic for analog racing. They make a real difference in driving experience and lap times.   

Finally, not everyone always enjoys the traffic that sharing lanes in digital brings in.  It is nice to chase the perfect lap without being blocked by slower cars, running into cars stopped in your lane, or being crashed in imprudent switches.  This is especially true with driving rare vintage treasures or a scratch built car you have spent many hours perfecting!

Jim Cunningham, creator of OmniSlotBox answers:  I am a fan of all forms of slot racing.  I started with Aroura Model Motoring HO in 1962.  When I started racing at large commercial tracks in the mid 1960's I experienced slot cars "Golden Era".  When I began winning races I learned that if I won the Wednesday night race 3 weeks in a row on the fourth week few wanted to race, so I developed a habit or retiring winning cars and starting a new series to work my way up. In this way, I have raced about every scale and style of slot car over the past 50 years. I have kept most of my "retired" cars, maintained and ready to run. the high detail of recent 1/32 cars seduced me and they form the bulk of my 1500 car collection now.  I developed OmniSlotBox, to enjoy all that the hobby offers. I think the variety of forms and the challenges they offer is what has kept my passion for slot cars alive for over 50 years.