Mean streak trim brakes

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's how it is. Compare that with Mantis, where the trim brake on the first drop is adjusted by the computer based on the interval of the previous train. If you get on the first loaded train, often it will be off because the train before it was empty/slower.

Mean Streak can be a little finnicky, especially since they want it running SO DAMN SLOW (with not one but THREE brake calipers on the first drop). I'm pretty7 sure those brakes are computer controlled and provide braking action based on operating trends. If they were operator controlled, trains would be hanging up on the third drop all the time.

Not that they don't as it is but still...

Personally, I don't understand what they are trying to protect with those brakes. They have the ride running so slow that besides being DULL, it also ping-pongs between the rails on the curves because there isn't enough force to keep the train stuck to the outside rail. Is the thing so poorly built that it can't be allowed to track properly?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Dave,

The computer does run the trims. There is a allen bradly cotrole panel in the computer room for the ride that does nothing but operate the trims.

You may recall, Dave, on the Dragster tour in '04 that someone I think it was M. Jasper) explained in the Q&A that the trim was based on the time of the previous circuit. Thus, first train out with people after an empty one would tend to be faster.

I don't recall such a tour, although I know that is the tactic that Dragster uses for varying the launch acceleration.

That said, I do recall riding on the first fully-loaded train of the day (they had been running half-empty) and getting a near-brakeless ride that way. At the time, there was another wrinkle, in that the brakes were set not based on the last train, but on three trains prior, which caused some interesting issues when they were running two trains instead of three. They might have added a mode switch to fix that.

In any case it seems like a lot of effort to put into making sure the ride runs too slowly to track right...!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Jeff said:
You may recall, Dave, on the Dragster tour in '04 that someone I think it was M. Jasper) explained in the Q&A that the trim was based on the time of the previous circuit. Thus, first train out with people after an empty one would tend to be faster.

That is the same exact way Raptor's MCTB works, it is based on the train previous to the train you're on. That is why (especially 1st GP rides in the morn) you will find the trim barely touches you despite your train being full.

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 2055 :)

Jo did you go Raptor flying the other day? I noticed your count just spike about 20 rides...

BuckeyeCoasterFan said:
Jo did you go Raptor flying the other day? I noticed your count just spike about 20 rides...

Yup I sure did! :)
Was there Friday!

Jo