Carrera Digital 143 2.4 GHz Wireless Controllers

By Michael Ashton

Carrera released the DIGITAL 143 2.4 GHZ WIRELESS+ CONNECTING SECTION INCLUDING 2 HANDSETS 42013 and the individual 2.4 GHZ WIRELESS+ HANDSET 42012 toward the end of 2014. Carrera and other manufacturers have offered 2.4 GHz wireless controllers in their 1/32nd scale digital and analog systems for some time now. So why is the appearance of another digital accessory worth any special attention? Well, read on and I will tell you why.

The 2.4 GHz wireless controllers for Digital 143 are actually two distinct products. The first consists of the connecting [track] section and two hand controllers. The connecting section houses the Digital 143 system electronics and the wireless interface for the controllers.

The second product is an individual hand controller that is added to the system to complete the full compliment of three controllers.

The wireless connecting section is installed in the layout exactly the same as the Red Box. The wireless system replaces the Red Box so the two systems must never be connected in the layout at the same time. Doing so could damage one or both system components. The D143 power pack (transformer) that came with the Red Box is used to provide power to the wireless system.

The controller gets its power from a rechargeable LiPo (lithium-ion polymer) battery. The controller is shipped with the battery not installed. The following illustration from the Carrera Digital 143 Wireless+ user guide shows how to install the battery:

1. Remove the battery compartment cover from the base of the controller by loosening the screw that secures it.
2. Connect the battery plug to the socket inside the battery compartment and push the battery up into the compartment.
3. Replace the compartment cover and secure it with the screw that was previously removed.

The battery charges whenever power is on and the controller is sitting in its cradle. The LED on the top of the controller flashes while charging and is off when fully charged. Although the batteries are shipped in a charged state, Carrera specifies that they should be fully charged by the user before the first use.

The D143 14.8 volt 700 ma power pack plugs into the socket on the right hand side of the connecting section. System power is applied by sliding the on/off power switch toward the track. The system status LED illuminates when power is on.

Carrera lists the electricity modes in the user guide, however, I find the descriptions to be somewhat confusing. As far as I can tell, there are three distinct modes:

1. Operating mode: cars are being actively operated by the controllers.
2. Idle mode: After about ten seconds of controller inactivity idle mode is entered. The status LED is illuminated, however, there is a slight delay in initial car movement when the throttle plunger is first depressed. 
3. Stand-by: When the [live] power pack is first plugged in, and after about 20 minutes of complete inactivity, the status LED extinguishes. The power switch must be toggled off then on to return to idle mode.

Before starting a race, I recommend briefly depressing each controller's throttle plunger to make sure that it is not in idle mode, thereby avoiding any momentary delay that could affect the start of the race.

Controller ergonomics are at least as good as the D143 wired version. The only real physical difference is the base that holds the wireless electronics extending slightly below the finger grips.

The top of the controller houses the recessed black programming button and the red activity LED.

Programming the cars

The new wireless system has simplified the process of programming or, assigning a car to a controller (not that the previous method was really very complicated). The following illustration from the Digital 143 Wireless+ user guide shows how a controller and car are bonded, or coded, to the connecting track:

1. Place a car on the track in the slot.
2. Depress the desired address button (1, 2 or 3) on the connecting track controller cradle. The status LED on the side of the cradle will flash.
3. Press the small black button on the top of the controller located behind the throttle plunger (this must be done within one second of step 2 above).

Coding is confirmed by an audible tone and a single flash of the red LED in the controller’s top. The prior method of coding using the lane change button supported by both D143 and D132 can still be used, if desired.

Note: it is important to keep track of the bonding of controllers to addresses. It is possible to bond multiple cars to the same controller, which may or may not be intended. Only one controller may be bonded to a single address.

A Nice Surprise

Much to my surprise, the new wireless system has an autonomous (ghost) car function built in! Any active controller/car combination can be instantly set to be an autonomous car with a single button click:

1. Depress the throttle plunger to bring the car up to the desired speed.
2. Press the associated address button on the connecting section.

The car will now maintain the current speed and will change lanes randomly. Note that the autonomous function actually resides in the controller, therefore, all cars bonded to the controller will behave as autonomous cars. Because all cars bonded to the controller will have the same address (ID), if multiple cars bonded to the controller are running simultaneously, each car will increment the lap count as it crosses the detector if the D143 Lap Counter is installed.

The autonomous car will automatically stop after ten seconds if there has been no throttle activity for all cars on the track. Depressing any throttle will restart the autonomous car. Autonomous car programming remains in place until either the car is recoded or the ON/OFF switch is actuated.

Performance

I have been running with the D143 wireless system installed in my NASCAR oval for over a month now. And while not a rabid fan of the plunger-type throttle control, the D143 wireless controller felt both comfortable and natural in my hand during operation. I have not had the opportunity to observe a youngster using the controller, however, my wife, who has quite small hands, did not experience any difficulty in operation when compared to the wired controller.

While running a variety of cars, including Carrera D143 and SCX Compact, I could not detect a difference in either throttle response or power band between the wireless and wired controllers. Lane changing is extremely reliable in the D143 system and does not appear to be diminished at all by the wireless system. Carrera specifies the operating range of the 2.4 GHz system to be up to 15 meters. The limits of the room that houses my track allowed me to stand about 16 feet away from the connecting section. I did not experience any performance degradation at this distance, which is much farther away than I would ever care to stand anyway.

The unique benefits of wireless controllers become obvious almost immediately: 

• The ability to position drivers anywhere around the track.
• Drivers’ new found mobility, allowing them to move around and especially to marshal a de-slotted car while holding on to the controller.
• The elimination of the annoying tangle of wires.

A Superior Product

In conclusion, if there is a downside to the Carrera Digital 143 Wireless System, I have not found it. It certainly is not any of the following:

• Price. The D143 Wireless System costs only a little more than half of its D132 “big brother” counterpart.
• Performance. I found overall response and performance to be at least as good as the wired controllers. And the operating range is excellent
• Functionality. Not only does the D143 wireless system provide all the obvious benefits of wireless operation, it also adds the autonomous car feature to D143!

Kudos go to Carrera for adding this jewel to the Digital 143 system. It raises the level of stock D143 racing measurably for the majority of users who do not have the time, skill or resources to enhance their system by modifying it with Digital 132 components.

Thanks to Brian at BRS Hobbies whose sponsorship and support made this article possible.

_Michael Ashton