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Editor's Notes
To read more about the MV Basic Car Kit and our precision molded wheels, please visit: MV Basic Car Kits "I enjoyed your story on opening up the bottom of the derby car body to accept weight. I have done this in the past using a router. I have an addition to the instructions for you. After completing the removal of material, continue on to finish the car. When you have everything complete, weigh the car and leave the car on the scale. While the car is upside down add the weight to the car until you are just shy of the 5 ounce weight. Mix up some two part epoxy and drizzle the epoxy over the weights until you are at 4.90 to 4.95 ounces. As the epoxy cures it will absorb moisture out of the air to bring the weight to 5 ounces. This is a very safe and secure way to add the weight to your car, and the weight won't come out. I suggest either the 90 second or 5 minute epoxy." Thanks for the input Dave. I also recommend epoxy (the 5 minute variety) for attaching weight to a pinewood derby car. |
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Also, please include your full name. If selected, we will include the photo and description in this newsletter. Photos must be sent by e-mail in JPG format (minimum size of 640x480, maximum size of 1280 x 960). Please shoot photos from the front left of the car, similar to the orientation of this car. ![]() Send only one photo per car, unless an additional photo is needed to adequately show a feature. Thanks. |
Soldering is required. Wear safety glasses and be very careful to avoid getting burned.
Capacitors do not react nicely if they are wired backwards (they can rupture). Be careful with the polarity. On the capacitors specified in the article, the long wire lead is positive, while the short wire lead is negative. The risk increases if you choose to leave the battery off of the car and perform manual charging. An inexperienced person could easily connect the battery backwards.
Do not charge the capacitors for an extended period of time. When not in use, allow the capacitors to discharge.
Do not touch the leads of the capacitors after they are charged. They will deliver a much stronger shock than a 9 Volt battery. For safety, apply electrical tape over the capacitor's connections after the wiring is complete.