Carrera News
Carrera Digital 132 FAQs (13.04.07)

All kinds of information and answers to any detailed questions regarding digital racetrack systems can be looked up here!

 
Information on Carrera Digital 132
We are pleased to announce that our new digital slot car racing system Digital 132 and its fantastic play features have been received extremely well. In this connection we would like to inform you that Carrera Digital 132 is downwards compatible with Carrera Evolution PRO-X and Carrera PRO-X. This means that all Evolution PRO-X and PRO-X consumers may continue maintaining and extending their system by purchasing Digital 132 items without any problems. All kinds of information and answers to any detailed questions regarding digital racetrack systems can be looked up here at our website www.carrera-toys.com!

 
FAQs Digital 132 in general
What are the differences and additional features of Digital 132 compared to Evolution PRO-X and PRO-X respectively?
 
Digital 132:
 
  • Up to 6 cars can race on one track simultaneously
  • Full speed overtaking at the push of a button
  • Digital 132 cars are digitally controlled and  individually codable via speed controller
  • Cars can be used as well on EVOLUTION
  • Mainly with front light (Xenon) and rear/brake light, sound finish of bodywork
  • Pace Car and Autonomous Car can be operated
  • Individual adjustment of maximum speed and car´s braking performance
  • Pit stop lane available as accessory, maximum gas tank capacity can be varied
  • Compatible with PRO-X, meaning all Digital 132 items can be used for
    PRO-X .
  • Can be extended with any basic track material, scale 1:24


Technical data and scale Digital 132
Scale of tracks 1:24, scale of vehicles 1:32, track width: 198 mm, transformer: 14.8 volts, 3.5 amp
 
Digital 132 supports up to 6 cars. Does the Digital 132 Black Box have 6 controller connections or still only 4?
 
The Digital 132 Black Box still has of 4 controller connections. In case 5 and/or 6 cars shall be operated the controller extension box or the IR System need to be utilized. Both the controller extension box and the Wireless receiver for the IR System are connected to the Black Box.
 
In which way can car number 5 and 6 be operated with Digital 132?
 
There are 2 possibilities:
1. By using the speed controller extension box. This is plugged in the connection of speed controller 1 and thus allows a total of 6 speed controllers being used, i.e. controller 1, 3, 4 in the extension box and speed controller 2, 5, 6 in the Black Box.
2. Wireless: Connecting to Black Box Tower 1 and/or 2 in order to be able to control cars 1 to 4 via Wireless. Black Box connection 1 and 4 results in controlling speed regulators for car number 5 and 6.
 
Can Digital 132 be expanded up to 4 lanes?
 
Digital 132 is dimensioned for 2 lanes. One basic idea behind this digital system is to be able to play with several players on floor space as small as possible.
 
Will there be an extension cable for the speed controllers to avoid 6 drivers stepping on each others´ feet?
 
No, this is not allowed due to CE regulations (interference resistance). For this reason the controller extension box comes with an additional 1 metre of cable to be connected. This allows increasing the players´ distance to each other. 
 
FAQs Combination with Wireless:
Can Wireless be combined unrestrictedly with Digital 132 or are there any fixed standards (e.g. only 4x Wireless + 2x cable controller or 4x cable controller + 2x Wireless)?
 
Yes, these two systems are unrestricted. There are fixed  controller connections only for addresses 5 and 6. Both controller connections at the Digital 132 Black Box´s right hand side are solely intended for the use of addresses 5 and 6 with the IR System being plugged or inserted. Only 4 cars may be controlled via Wireless. Cars number 5 and 6 have to be controlled by means of cable speed controllers at the Black Box (in Black Box´s plug 3 and 4).
 
Can all 6 cars or only cars ID 1-4 be controlled via Wireless speed controllers?
 
Wireless disposes of addresses 1 to 4 only. Addresses 5 and 6 can be exclusively operated by means of cable speed controllers.
 
How many Ghost Cars does Digital 132 support? May the total number of cars operated exceed 6 cars or not?
 
Up to a maximum of 8 cars are being supported. This means: 6 active cars + 2 ghost cars or 8 ghost cars.
 
Are the Ghost Cars capable to memorise, i.e. do they save a lap manually driven or does the speed still have to be fixed (“infinitely variable”)?
 
The speed can be fixed. However, the “fixed” speed can now be infinitely varied. 
 
Is the Ghost Car´s intelligence generally improved? For instance: Ghost Cars of the PRO-X line very often enter the Pit Stop Lane.
 
The Ghost Cars of Digital 132 no longer enter the Pit Stop Lane automatically.
 
The Digital 132 power supply has the same item number 30326 as the PRO-X power supply with 3.5 amp. Will that be retained for Digital 132? For how many cars is the 3.5 amp transformer sufficient and how many cars can be operated without any problems?
 
The power of the transformer, item number 30326, is sufficient for up to 7 cars.
 
PC link:
Which parts do dispose of a computer link? (only the Black Box or the lap counter as well?) What can I do with it? e.g. Firmware update of Black Box, lap counter and cars?
 
The Black Box and the lap counter have a computer link. By means of these links it is possible to update all system parts such as lane change sections, Pit Stop Lane(s), lap counter, cars and Black Box.
 
Is it possible to run the Racing Management with/in Digital 132?
 
No. The Racing Management can exclusively be operated in analogue mode.
 
Can cars of other manufacturers be retrofitted to Digital 132?
 
This is possible when having adequate technical skills. As a matter of course changing any of the components will invalidate your warranty.
 
Which circuit length does require any additional supply with Digital 132?
 
Tracks of an entire length of 12 metres and more should be equipped with an additional power supply. Since 2006 the generation of modified U-profile connections between the individual track parts has drastically minimised the power loss. You will get the additional supply cables required from your retailer under item number 20584 (cable length 5m) and item number 20585 (cable length 10m).  Under no circumstances you shall connect any further Black Boxes and/or transformers (danger of causing a short circuit!).
 
Will it be possible to adjust the retrofit-decoders to the engine and car weight?
 
No. There are 2 different decoders which are matched to the frame size of the cars.
 
How does lap counting work exactly with Digital 132? Via guide keel as with PRO-X or does the car send a signal via the diode?
 
When passing the Digital 132 lap counter the Digital 132 car sends a characteristic signal. This means lap counting works differently to lap counting of PRO-X.
 
Will the Digital 132 lap counter display the times of all 6 cars at the same time in future or still only 4?
 
The Digital 132 lap counter will display all 6 cars.
 
Will the tank filling level have any effect on the cars´ handling characterics (full tank → slower car and vice versa)?
 
No.
 
Will the Black Box contain different racing modes, similar to e.g. Ninco?
 
No.
 
Has a dual operation been realised with the Digital 132 Black Box (option to switch to analogue)?
 
No. The Digital Black Box is designed for a digital system. Any additional costs which might arise from this possibility can by no means be borne by Digital 132 consumers.
 
Do Digital 132 cars also run on analogue race tracks? Are there any restrictions (e.g. Scalextric: digital cars do not have any brake when being operated in the analogue mode)?
 
Yes, the Digital 132 cars also run on analogue race tracks (Evolution). The new cars do have the same braking characteristics whether being operated in digital or analogue mode. There are no limitations.
 
Is programming of the Digital 132 cars being effected via a push sequence on the speed controller which even works with the old PRO-X Black Box? Is that correct?
 
Yes.
 
 
Is it possible to effect individual car programming with other cars being on the race track and without disturbing the programming operation? (Other manufacturers require programming being effected with only one single car on the track).
 
Digital 132 allows individual car programming even with other cars being on the race track. In this case you have to be careful that the other cars do not stop for more than 2 seconds. Otherwise you could programme those cars to the same ID.
  
What is the switch on the Digital 132 cars´ bottom for?
 
The switch serves changing the running direction and polarity in analogue operation respectively (Evolution).
 
When will the new system Digital 132 be launched?
 
In autumn 2007.
 
FAQs Compatibility Digital 132 → PRO-X
 
Is it possible to use the Digital 132 lane change sections, Pit Stop Lane and lap counter also in a PRO-X racetrack? If so, do the new parts recognize automatically that they are operated in a PRO-X environment?
 
The Digital 132 parts automatically recognize the mode PRO-X and Digital 132 respectively.
 
Is it possible to run the Digital 132 cars on PRO-X? If so, do they automatically recognize PRO-X?
 
All Digital 132 cars automatically recognize the mode and can be used in both systems, PRO-X and Digital 132.
 
How does lap counting of a Digital 132 car work with the PRO-X lap counter?
 
A replacement guide keel for PRO-X operation with a PRO-X lap counter will be attached to the Digital 132 cars.
 
Is it possible to run both PRO-X cars and Digital 132 cars on a PRO-X racetrack at the same time?
 
Yes, it is possible as Digital 132, i.e. also the car, is compatible downwards.
 
Is it possible to use PRO-X lane change sections and Digital 132 lane change sections in a PRO-X racetrack at the same time?
 
Yes, this is possible as Digital 132, i.e. also lane change sections, are compatible downwards.
 
How can a Digital 132 car be used on a PRO-X racetrack? How is the encoding carried out?
  
Encoding works as Digital 132´s encoding by activating the speed controller´s lane-change-button (index finger). Place the car on the track, double-click on lane-change-button. Lift the car from the track – put the car on the track again and again double-click on lane-change-button for confirmation.
 
Is it possible to use the Digital 132 Black Box also for PRO-X cars?
 
Yes. For this purpose the Digital 132 Black Box has to be switched to the PRO-X mode. However, this means that the additional Digital 132 functions cannot be used.
 
The newly constructed cars are no longer equipped with the punched guide keel. Do I have to fit a Digital 132 car with a punched guide keel in order to be able to operate Digital 132 cars on PRO-X incl. PRO-X lap counter?
 
Yes, if you want to count laps with a Digital 132 car in the PRO-X mode a punched guide keel will have to be fixed. This will be attached to the Digital 132 cars.
 
FAQs Compatibility PRO-X → Digital 132
 
Are the Digital 132 speed controllers identical with the PRO-X controllers? Is it possible to unrestrictedly use the PRO-X controllers with a Digital 132 Black Box?
 
The Digital 132 and PRO-X speed controllers are identical. The only difference is their colour. The PRO-X speed controllers may be used with Digital 132 and vice versa.
 
Can all PRO-X cars be driven on Digital 132?
 
No, it is not possible to use a PRO-X car on/in Digital 132.
 
Is it possible to retrofit PRO-X cars to Digital 132?
 
Yes, if the PRO-X circuit board is replaced by a corresponding Digital 132 circuit board. This requires appropriate soldering skills.
 
Is it possible to run both PRO-X cars and Digital 132 cars on a Digital 132 racetrack at the same time?
 
No. It is not possible to run PRO-X cars on a Digital 132 racetrack.
 
Is it possible to use PRO-X lane change sections and Digital 132 lane change sections in a Digital 132 racetrack at the same time?
 
Yes. However, it is only possible to operate PRO-X then. This means that the Digital 132 Black Box has to be switched to PRO-X mode.
 
Is it possible to race 6 adjustable Digital 132 cars on a PRO-X racetrack?
 
No, it is only possible to run 4 cars. Similar to PRO-X you can only use up to 4 Digital 132 cars being controlled via speed regulators. But it is possible to additionally use 1 Pace Car and 1 Ghost Car. This requires a 3.5 amp PRO-X transformer.
 
The Digital 132 Black Box can be manually switched to the PRO-X mode – and any connected lane change sections and lap counters as well. Is that correct? Or does the Digital 132 Black Box automatically switch to the PRO-X mode as soon as a PRO-X lap counter or PRO-X lane change section is being used?
 
The Digital 132 Black Box needs to be manually switched to the PRO-X mode / Digital 132 mode respectively. The Digital 132 Black Box does not automatically recognise whether PRO-X or Digital 132 parts are being used. But all parts connected such as lap counter, lane change sections or Pit Stop Lane do automatically recognise the mode set at the Black Box.
 
Which parts of an existing PRO-X racetrack need to be replaced to be able to use the Digital 132 technology?
 
Black Box, lane change sections, cars and Pit Stop Lane (if existing) of Digital 132 need to be replaced.
 
Does upgrading PRO-X to Digital 132 also require changing the lane change sections and Pit Stop Lane, or is it sufficient to change the Black Box and the lap counter?
 
When using PRO-X lane change sections, PRO-X Pit Stop Lane(s) or PRO-X lap counter you can only operate Digital 132 in PRO-X mode. The PRO-X lane change sections cannot recognise the different modes. All new cars can handle the PRO-X mode. If you wish to drive in Digital 132 mode the old system parts need to be replaced.
 
FAQs Compatibility Evolution → Digital 132
 
Is it possible to upgrade an existing Evolution racetrack to Digital 132?
 
Yes, this is possible by means of extension set item no. 26734, additional car decoders and/or Digital 132 cars as well as Digital 132 lane change sections.
 
Is it possible to retrofit all Evolution cars to Digital 132?
 
All `new` Evolution cars as of 2007 can be retrofitted. `New` cars refer to cars which represent a new model as of 2007.
 
Is it possible to run Digital 132 cars on analogue, i.e. on an Evolution racetrack?
 
Yes. By pressing the speed controller three times (thumb), Digital 132 cars can be adjusted to analogue operation whilst standing on the Evolution racetrack.
 
FAQs Exclusiv digital in general
 
How will the power supply be provided for Exclusiv in digital mode, if 6 cars are running digitally? For which number of cars will the transformer´s power be sufficient?
 
A number of up to 4 cars can be operated with a digital Exclusiv transformer item no. 20758, or the Exclusiv transformer item no. 20750 + adapter item no. 20524.
 
FAQs Compatibility Exclusiv → Digital 132
 
Is it possible to digitally retrofit all Exclusiv cars?
 
All Exclusiv cars which are equipped with rocker arm (cars constructed from 2005) can be upgraded or retrofitted by complementary purchasing a digital car decoder.
 
FAQs Upgrade PRO-X to Digital 132
 
Is retrofitting PRO-X parts to Digital 132 being offered at a reasonable price?
 
Basically every user of PRO-X can extend and maintain his system by purchasing Digital 132 items. This is due to Digital 132 being downward compatible to PRO-X.  We are going to make an official statement in due course concerning the possibility to e.g. upgrade or retrofit PRO-X cars to Digital 132.