FreeTrack Forum

Hey Guys!!

Long time Free track users and dedicated ARMA 2 player. I have built 7 total free track systems but all have been of the same design.

Serial - 3 Point Clip
(1) 6v D/C powersupply
(3) 485p LEDs
(1) I think it is 30 ohm, but don't quote me on that. Don't have it in front me

I am looking to move to the battery holder type with a switch just because I am tired of having a wire running down my back and getting hung up on stuff such as my computer chair.

Now I am completely oblivious to resistors, ohms, volts, etc etc. But I am using the wizard and wanted to check with you guys to make sure this is correct.

I looked at several design choices and the pros & cons. Most tend to use the 2x AA approach or 3x AAA approach it seems. While the double AA setup has longer life than the AAA setup, the systems are still similar in weight.

So I pulled out some AA's and a C. The C is slightly heavier than the AA's but not by very much at all. So I figured the C setup will be a excellent way to have great battery life, less bulky, and not to heavy.

Now my biggest concern with using the wizard is the LED inputs. I used this setup, tell me if this looks correct.




Any help will be helpful guys.

Also what kind of switch should I get?

I was looking at a posters diagram and now thinking maybe a 1 single C battery holder will be best.

Something like this.


This was his diagram and looks like C battery has excellent battery life and I am holding a 9v and a C battery, they are literally the same size.

Assume 50% for "actual real life" verses calculated. .8 volts per cell is end of life. ( 9 volt battery is 4.8v)  (6 volt battery is 3.2v)

       Typical Average                               Duracell spec            Duracell  at 50%        Walgreens Drug for prices       Cost per Hour

(1) 9 Volt battery (565mAh / 50mA = 11.3 hours)    550mAh $1.50    About 5.5 hours actual    1x Reference    $1.50    $.27 per hr

(4) AAA batteries (1190mAh /50mA =  23.8 hours) 1000mAh $.75    About 10 hours actual    1.8x longer    $3.00    $.30 per hr

(4) AA batteries (2707mAh / 50mA =  54.1hours)    2100mAh    $.75    About 21 hours actual    3.8 longer    $3.00    $.14 per hr

(4) C batteries (7935mAh / 50mA =  158.7 hours)    7000mAh $1.50    About 70 hours actual    12.7x longer    $6.00    $.09 per hr

(4) D batteries (17,100mAh / 50mA =  342 hours)    14000mAh $1.50    About 140 hours actual     25.4x longer    $6.00    $.04 per hr

This post was orginally looking at a 9v setup, that is the reason for the 9v picture setup.

I am lost how to do a 1 C battery setup, anyone have a idea how to put this into the wizard?

Ok guys another change.

I ended up going with a (4) AA's battery holder, 43 Ohm resistor, and a 2 pole micro toggle switch.

Can anyone give me a idea how to wire this setup in a serial manner???

Ok so I am thinking about this build and wanting to know if I am correct on this.

Battery pack positive out to one leg of toggle switch, then from same leg of switch wire out to resistor. Then Series it from one LED to the next all the way back around to open leg of toggle switch, then Negative wire of Battery pack connects to that leg of toggle.

If that makes sense?

Rough Diagram = L = Wires & Legs of Toggle

[ Battery Pack ]
l                     l
l                     l
l                     l
+                   -

l                     l
[Toggle Switch]
l                    l
l                    l
l                    l
LED               l
l                    l
l                    l
LED               l
l                    l
l                    l
LED-------------