Owners Manual

Fully Electronic “FET Powered” Drag Controller

Lightning

                3rd Eye’s exclusively designed Fully Electronic Drag Controller 

    The Power Blast Relay and Battery is a Blast in the Past!!!

“FET Transistor Powered” “No Battery Required” and “No Power Blast Relay”. Full on power” is done electronically with less resistance and faster response than a relay.

Keep Precision Resistor Clean (using a DRY Q-Tip)!

Hooking Up the Lightning

o The Lightning is for use on Drag tracks ONLY wired for POSITIVE POLARITY.  Verify the polarity of the track prior to use.  DO NOT attempt to connect the Lightning to a track other than a drag track or wired for negative polarity.

o ALL power leads must be connected to the correct colored terminals, white to white and black to black. 

o Once the controller is hooked up, verify the Lightning has power – the blue LED should be on/visible when a car is placed on the track.

WARNING

ABSOLOUTLY NO EXCEPTIONS - Third Eye Technology has taken reasonable measures to prevent damage to the Lightning.  However, Third Eye Technology does not warrant the Lightning against abusive and/or repeated intentional polarity reversal. It is important to ensure the Lightning is hooked up correctly at all times. 3rd Eye does not warrant against track shorts or a shorted motors.

Sensitivity Adjustment (Blue Knob)

o The Blue knob is the Sensitivity adjustment. Turn the knob clockwise for less sensitivity (Min) and counter-clockwise as the arrow indicates for greater sensitivity (Max).

o The Lightnings sensitivity at minimum is set very high, about 1/2 throttle speed and has an adjustment range up to about 7/8 throttle speed

Rollout (Red button and Gray Knob)

o Depress and hold the Red Rollout Button. Adjust the Rollout Sensitivity Knob Gray Knob until the desired rollout speed is achieved. This function is different than other Drag controllers in that the Rollout sensitivity is independent from the Drag sensitivity, they do not interact.

Electronic Index Control (Yellow Knob)

o The Electronic Index Control is used for Index and Bracket Racing, it slows the maximum speed of the car.

o The Index Switch in the down position, the Index function is Off.

o The Index Switch in the center position, the Index function is On.

o The Index Switch in the FTB position (up) is Index function with Full Throttle Bypass

o The Yellow knob is used to adjust the Index (voltage reduction).

o When the Index Switch is in the OFF (Down) position, turning the Yellow knob has no effect.

o When the Index switch is in the ON (center) position, turning the Yellow knob clockwise will reduce the amount of battery voltage to the car and slow the car down.

o When the Index Switch is in the FTB (up) position (Full Throttle Bypass) position, the Yellow knob adjustment is ONLY in effect when the controller is NOT at full throttle.  When the controller is at full throttle, the Index Function is automatically “bypassed” and full battery voltage is applied to the car. 

Reverse Polarity/Incorrect Hook-up

It is extremely importance the unit be hooked up correctly  – this is a prerequisite of being a qualified racer. 

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

The Lightning is a precision electronic instrument and should be treated accordingly.  To ensure optimal performance, follow the steps described below.

Do NOT:

o Throw or misuse or abuse the Lightning in any way.

o Carry the Lightning by the handle draped over the neck or place excessive strain on the entire assembly.

o Pull the power leads from the track terminals.  Always disconnect the power leads one-at-a-time by “opening” the alligator clip.

o Under any circumstances oil/lubricate the precision resistor or wiper button.

o Cut away the Lightning handle. The precision resistor must remain protected from damage, dirt and debris!

o Perform maintenance on the Lightning with the power applied.

o For any reason disassemble the Power box. There are no user serviceable components inside.

*** Important *** Keep Precision Resistor Clean (using a DRY Q-tip)!

Maintaining the Lightning

*** Warning *** - Never use solvents/cleaning fluids other than Motor Spray (such as PURE contact cleaner for slot cars) to clean the Precision Resistor. Use only in extreme cases – a DRY Q-Tip will suffice for routine cleaning.

The Lightning requires minimal maintenance to achieve optimal performance:

o Handle Hardware (Required) – Do not lose the spacer at the front of the back cover or the #4 washer and nylon spacer that set over the trigger stop screw at the front of the handles circuit board. If these parts are missing “Trigger to Hang-Up” can occur due to PC board misalignment.

o Whenever the Precision Resistor shows evidence of “tracking” (discoloration across the face of the Precision Resistor where the Wiper Button travels), cleaning is recommended.

o Use a DRY Q-tip to clean the precision resistor – move the Q-tip up/down (same direction as resistor windings).  NEVER use any type of liquid/chemical other than motor spray!

o Occasionally place a drop of light oil on either side of the trigger bushing.

Trigger Arm Adjustment Initial and periodic maintenance is necessary (Perform the below procedure before contacting 3^rd Eye for repairs).

##Trigger Button Break-In Period##. Follow the below procedure:

When the trigger is new, the Trigger Button needs use to become fully seated to provide smooth trigger action. Sometime after use the trigger will become scratchy. When this occurs, the button will require sanding to smooth the operation. Several sandings may be required to achieve longer-term smooth operation.

The Trigger Arm Button must remain in contact and track correctly across Precision Resistor at all times in order to function properly. Indications of an improperly adjusted trigger are inconsistent Trigger response or a scratchy/rough feeling when the Trigger is pulled during various points of throttle travel including reasonable side pressure on the Trigger (the car stutters or is inconsistent or inoperative).

If the Button and Trigger Arm are in good condition perform the following steps as necessary.  This function provides smooth and quiet Trigger operation and is a critical for maximum performance.

Caution -- Use extreme care when around the throttle resistor, do not use sharp objects, damage may occur. In the event the throttle resistor is damaged, replacements are not available and repair by 3^rd Eye will be necessary.

1. Remove the three (3) screws/nuts, which hold the 2 halves of the handle together.  Carefully remove the Printed Circuit Board (PCB), which includes the Trigger assembly.

2. With the return spring installed, Adjust the Button tension on the Precision Resistor, by SLIGHTLY bending the Trigger Arm near the base (where it is already bent) to increase the tension or pulling LIGHTLY on the arm at the button to decrease the tension. Keep in mind that the Button must track at a slight angle with the Precision Resistor as illustrated below. If not, use your fingers to SLIGHTLY (carefully) bend the Trigger Arm until proper alignment is achieved.

3. Verify that proper tension is achieved when the Trigger slides across the Precision Resistor easily.  Also, check when the trigger is slowly released and comes to rest, it must easily and repeatedly make contact with the Brake Stop. It may be necessary to repeat step 1. Note: This portion of the operation is critical.

4. Remove the Return Spring then “Pre-seat” the Trigger Button by placing slight pressure on the trigger button then cycling the button across the Precision Resistor until tracking occurs on the resistor. Blow off the tracked material.

5. Re-connect the return spring then carefully insert a 1”x3” piece of 400-600 grit sand paper between the Precision Resistor and Button length wise to the Resistor with the abrasive side facing toward the Button (AWAY from the resistor).

6. Holding the sandpaper in place and by pulling on the Trigger, cycle the Trigger Button across the full travel of the Resistor a number of times until the sand paper is loaded, then move the sand paper slightly and repeat.

7. Verify that the Trigger action is very smooth, all stops contacts and trigger travel/alignment is correct.

8. Check to see that under normal side thrust does not cause the Trigger Button to lift away from the Precision Resistor.

9. Carefully put the PCB in the Handle and re-assemble.

10. Apply power to the Lightning and verify everything is functioning properly.

Any questions about products, repairs, or Track Sales locations contact Third Eye Technology

(Howard Smith) at (707) 664-1722 or E-mail at I3rdeyeguy@aol.com or thirdeyetechnology.net