Chrondek Images/Information/Stories/Builds/ECT.

Well there is no Chrondek registration and when i did my own rebuild I and to search and scour to find any information. there is very little information on the internet as far as components and how they work. I see there is an interest in this more than just me so im going to post as much as I can and hope others do as well
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That looks awesome! Nice job. I want one now.

 

i need to take measurements and make like a blueprint the sockets are mulberry the lettering for pre-stage and stage is a military font, the connector is an amphenol military connector. I learned so much doing this!

 

Ok, so who pilfured(sp) "stole" the one from LIONS DRAGSTRIP after the last drag race????...

 

I worked with a lady that used to work for Chrondek, she used to travel all over the US giving Tech seminars and such to all the track owners...She gave me a Chrondek Christmas tree tie clasp, she got from the owner of Chrondek...

 

After years of searching I wound up getting my Chrondek stuff from ESTA Safety Park. Guy thought I was nuts for wanting it as it was just old junk stored in his basement (they went with all new Compulink stuff at the time). I got the tree, 2 sets of spin timers in original Chrondek footlockers, control box & trigger box. He felt bad not giving me the photo cells but they were compatible with their new system.

 

Yes Please! I'd love to build one full size. It doesn't even have to work,

 

My buddy went to Rochester Institute of Technology and designed and had printed circuit boards made and we found relays that would work in the space we needed them to work in.
Then figured out the pin read out for a portatree setup and retro fit it to the tree, unfortunately not all 5 sets of amber work only 3. still searchin for the correct timers to go with the tree. Thanx for all the comments,info and stories! Keep them Comin!

 

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IIRC, ESTA cut their tree down when they went to the short tree. It looked something like the one in the fourth post, center pic, top row.

They also had a spare tree that sat in a corner of the tower. I'll bet that's the spare tree.

Either way... It's very cool that it's still around!

 

Wonderful stuff.

4% sales tax, those were the days

 

Batson's Sheetmetal in Santee, CA built parts for them in the early 80's. Ron is still around.

 

Thanks for the pictures of the liturature. Here are some pics of my equipment. I have the complete system less the tree. A friend of mine has the tree, he was the last starter at Detroit Dragway.

 

^ Very Cool!

 

Ok kids get your tape recorders out and all that jazz for some specs on how to build your own!

the 2 main bodies are 36" in length
depth 3 1/4"
face 4" unhinged, 1/4" lip on face
on upper main body from top of sheet metal to center of first hole 3 1/4" now center of hole to center of hole
6 1/4", 2 1/2", 7 1/2", 2 1/2", 7 3/8", 2 1/2"
from top of steel to center of hole on lower main body 2 3/8" now center of hole to center of hole
3 1/2", 3 3/4", 2 1/2", 7 1/2", 2 3/8", 7 1/8", 2 3/8"
Prestaged channel is
12" length
2 3/4" depth
3" face, 1/4" lip
2X4's 42" length with upper pieces stacked on 6" length
pipe is 1 1/2", 6" length
staged sheet metal
20" length
top 5 1/4"
each lip 3" bent at 30 degree

prestaged sheet metal
length 10"
bottom 5 1/4"
each lip 2 1/2" bent at 90 degree

lay everything out on paper and compare to pic to make sure I didn't forget anything and now get to building and lets see some pics!

 

I really appreciate your help but your measurements for lower 3" section only provide for 8 holes and 9 are needed with the handicap light. 2 red, 2 green, 2 amber, handicap light,2 amber are needed on each side. We're in the process of building one and using (2) 3'x4" wiretrays for the body and just laid it out and can't make it work. Also, the bottom flanges and pipe are 1 1/2 and on 2'x4' s? Thanks for your help. We'll try to post some pictures on the way. Thanks

 

just got the tree back from renting it out. i'll try to get your questions answered as soon as possible

 

I have an electrical schematic from 1968. It would require a large format scan to be made in case anybody is interested. If it would be useful to you, let me know.

April 20, 2016 addition: I've posted the wiring diagram here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/po3ozrz0rd8fiot/ChrondekBlockDia66.pdf?dl=0
This is at a public link so it shouldn't require any password to download it.

 

The pipe is 6" in length an 1 1/2" diameter, cut a 1 1/2" electric rigid conduit coupling in half and weld it to the bottom of of the lower body, the lower fitting is is a 1 1/2" plumbing stand fitting, the 2x4's are 42" in length

 

forgot one measurement,
from top of steel to center of hole on lower main body 2 3/8" now center of hole to center of hole
2 1/8", 3 1/2", 3 3/4", 2 1/2", 7 1/2", 2 3/8", 7 1/8", 2 3/8"

 

the control box dimensions are 13 1/4" in height 5" away from the tree 4" wide and 5" back towards the tree, a sheet metal cap with 3 sides that are 5/8" flanges

 

94blackta,

Thanks for the corrected update! Copo69 and I are buildiing a couple of these (see his post on first page), and appreciate your help. We have sourced all of the materials and are in the process of drilling the holes and doing the assembly. We have a buddy who is working on a plc control circuit to simulate actual operation of the lights flashing in sequence. It will be for appearance only while on display at shows or in the garage and not actually designed to operate with "eyes" and timing logic. We will try to get some pics soon.

Jim

 

I was told this was the last model of the 5 amber before they went to 3 amber but I don't have any paper work to confirm that. I used a modern Portatree practice unit and the tree interface box to get majority of the tree working, the same amount of lights on a modern tree. i used relays with 12v d.c. coil and 120v a.c. rated contacts. I have posted a photo one of the original relay cards they were 24v d.c. coil 120v a.c. rated contacts for Chrondek timing equipment. Dan Delany did the lettering via looking at photographs, if you don't wanna ship it for hand lettering I would get a hold of him to see if he could send you some vynl letters. Good Luck Fellas I can't wait to see the outcome!- Jason S.

 

http://www.dansignman.com/

 

Thanks, Jason. I've been in touch with Dan and he's going to do the letters for us in vinyl. Here's a crappy cell phone picture of the mock up.

 

Fricken BEAUTIFUL!