Custom Throttle Curves

[MrFlippant]

Throttle curves are a very personal thing. Two people driving the same car will want entirely different controller feel. Fortunately, the Scorpius Wireless controller should be able to cater to any of those desires. The hard part is finding the curve that offers the feel you want. It's my hope that this thread will encourage people to try new curves of their own creation or inspired by others, so that they can get the most out of their Scorpius Wireless controller.

I've never been happy with any of the default throttle curves. It wasn't until I manually plotted out all the curves that I realized they all have the same initial/base speed, and then the curve just gets deeper and deeper. For some people, possibly a majority, these are fine. For others, like myself, a different set to choose from was needed.

The first thing I did was turn the set of curves into something more like the sensitivity knob on an analog controller. That is, the knob just turns up the initial power level you get when the trigger is just pulled a little. The first step, so to speak. I created 9 curves (0-8) that were perfectly linear, except that the initial power level changed. The first curve was straight linear, from 0-100% in 10% increments. From there, I used the Scorpius Throttle Setup program's "Set Curve" feature to create more linear curves with higher and higher initial power levels, in 5% increments. The last one started at 40%, though I don't expect that will be much use to me except for high magnetic traction cars. I figured these would probably cover most bases for me, but I also wanted something different.

While playing with RCS64 over the last year or two, I learned to appreciate a simple S-curve. In fact, Rick showed something like this early on in the Scorpius Throttle thread when first mentioning plans for sensitivity and anti-spin control. This one is not possible using the Set Curve feature, but has to be entered manually for each of the 10 data points. I find this particular curve works really well for me when driving cars like Slot.it and NSR, with their relatively hot and torquey motors. On my tight and technical track, mid-range control is very helpful for good lap times.

S-Curve: 0 - 20 - 29 - 34 - 38 - 40 - 43 - 50 - 60 - 80 - 100


Here's another S-curve. This one has a slightly more aggressive attack and less curve from the middle to the top. It should have a similar feel to the previous S-Curve, but be better for lower power magless cars, and/or higher power magless cars on a larger/faster course.

S2-Curve: 10 - 25 - 35 - 40 - 44 - 48 - 52 - 60 - 72 - 85 - 100


By no means am I suggesting that these curves will be better than any other curve for everyone, or even people driving the same cars as me on the same kinds of tracks. It couldn't hurt to try it out, though, could it? What I would really like is for people to show off some of the throttle curves they've created and find useful, especially if they have particular ones that suit particular cars and/or tracks. I'd really like to try some other curve ideas people share. It's easy to share the curves by just posting the 10 data points as I did above the images. Taking a snapshot of the Throttle Setup program and posting that is also helpful. I'd also be happy to post throttle curve images based on the data points people post.

If you need help using the Throttle Setup program, Rick made a video on how to use it:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CGq5sora_Y"]Throttle Set up tutorial - YouTube[/ame]

Thanks for reading. I hope it's helpful to others.

[dw5555]

Dave

[dangermouse]

I have entered your two curves MrF and I like the way the cars handle with them....

Curious as to what the difference between a positive and negative curve in terms of how the car will run?

[MrFlippant]

Dave

Although even Scorpius users can have a hard time with this stuff, at least they know what I'm talking about, and have the hardware needed to give it a try.
As a Carrera Digital user, I can't think of a single way this thread will benefit you.

I have entered your two curves MrF and I like the way the cars handle with them....

Curious as to what the difference between a positive and negative curve in terms of how the car will run?

Excellent! I'm glad you tried them.
That you like them is also cool because it means I'm not the only one who like an S-curve.

[Edit, just watched Rick's video again]
With a positive curve (Shape > 1.0), you'll get a very aggressive attack/sensitivity on the throttle, and finer control at the top end. I expect a curve like that would be ideal for cars like 1/24 commercial track cars and other very high amp/RPM motors on a sticky-glue track or with high magnetic traction. Such a curve would make a magless slot.it or NSR with no traction assistance (glue) almost undrivable, IMHO.

A negative curve (Shape less than 1.0), you'll have a more gradually increasing throttle, good for better low end control of hot motors, and then a burst of speed at the top of the curve.

The S-curve, as you see, combines the both of them to get your car going without being jumpy or twitchy, but then give you fine control in the middle of the trigger throw, with the burst of speed at the end for the straightaways.

[csxgrafix]

I also use "S" curves and really like them with some cars.

[MrFlippant]

Cool! Do you have any that you'd like to share? Did you try the ones I posted?

[dangermouse]

Had a mate over who races a lot of Plafit cars - he was using my Scorpius controller (for the first time) I had the controller set at point 3 or 4 and he asked about adjustments. I switched it to one of your S curves and he noticed the difference and felt the car was more controllable - from memory it was a Pioneer Mustang

Now I need to work out the right curve for NC-1 power cars

[MrFlippant]

Cool. I'm not sure what I'd use for an NC1. I might have to put one of my Ninco Classics on the track and play around today. Of course, voltage, magnets, and track type will play as much a role as personal taste.

[sascws90]

Hello!
Entered a custom Throttle curve. Will a battery change wipe out the change?

[MrFlippant]

I believe they are stored in memory and changing batteries does not completely reset it, but based on the image you showed in that other thread, you are using the default #0 built-in throttle curve, so you wouldn't be losing anything if it reverted to default settings, anyway.

[sascws90]

Thank you MrFlippant ......Your S2 curve looks great. Will try it.
Some of the default curve pictures start with a min of zero and a max of 100. But the motor drive is set to 10 or 12?

[injectorman]

Best off to start at around 15-20. Why? Motors often need several volts to even move the car. This results in wasted trigger movement. This reduces the drivability of the car.

When designing this controller we realised that the more trigger travel the more separation of bands, thus making the brain to finger action less stressful. On most controllers you need to pull the trigger up to1/4" before the car even moves. We feel 1-2 mm is fair but 6mm is a wicked waste of potential. Essentially is equivalent to your minimum speed settings you see on other controllers, but using software not hardware to achieve it. I know one guy who starts it at 60. The track obviously is fast and few tight corners.
Equally you can set the max speed in the set up, which is essentially a choke. The default curves are due to be replaced with various linear ones. The controller also features a max speed button, just hit it and it reduces to speed to a pre determined and configurable speed 0-100% in 1% increments. This is also essentially a choke. Heck you could could just use the choke in the slow parts of the track and use it unchoked on the straight. It would feel like KERS.


Rick

[csprute]

This system is so cool and advanced i want to build a routed track just to implement it. The system customization menus are so cool it is as good as castle creations software in rc cars. I think a digital slot system built on scorpius is a better hobby package than rc cars b/c you can seamlessly integrate race management and race events which is not possible in rc cars. It is difficult to implement an organized race in rc cars and tap into the joy of competitive racing.

[Slot_it_Bob]

What current is the WAM unit rated for? This controller has some cool features but I'm a analog racer.

[MrFlippant]

From the web site:

Now enjoy analogue cars on your analogue track using the Scorpius Wireless digital controller.
Simply connect to your driver station. Rated at 35A.
Up to 24 channels, ie 24 cars can race simultaneously in one room.
Connection types:
Please specify with your order.
USA: 3 alligator clips and boots with colour coding red, white and black silicon leads.
Europe: 3 banana plugs with red, black and yellow silicon leads.
Australia: 240V female plug. Other connectors available by order.