Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

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Tankbear
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Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by Tankbear »

Hi guys, there has been a lot of new electronics launched in 2012 so I thought I list them and what they do to help people wanting to upgrade.

Dragon ATRC (Available from Welsh Dragon Models) - http://www.welshdragonmodels.co.uk/
This ATRC (Anti Tract Recoil Circuit) is meant for the HL RX18 or Taigen controller which are not IR, the Dragon plugs into the unused IR port and interupts the motors to stop the silly track recoil.

MAKO - http://rctanksaustralia.com/shop/ & http://www.rctanksaustralia.com/forum/
This is for IR tanks which converts the HL IR code to work with Tamiya, WSN, Torro tanks so you can battle with different make of tanks. Various versions exist with different features, some have built in ATRC.

RC2HL - http://rctanksaustralia.com/shop/ & http://www.rctanksaustralia.com/forum/
This replaces the HL FM receiver and transmitter. You need a hobby grade radio and receiver and the RC2HL adaptor sits between the hobby grade receiver and RX18

ASP/ASP2 - http://rctanksaustralia.com/shop/ & http://www.rctanksaustralia.com/forum/
This I have no experience with but totally replaces the tanks electronics, uses hobby grade electronics utilising 4 to 8 channel radio. This system I understand is fully programmable including tank sounds.

DBC2/3 - http://darkith.dyndns.org/~darkith/html/dbc.shtml & http://battlearmorrc.weebly.com/sound-- ... ystem.html
This is another adaptor which allows hobby grade radio to be used. Again it replaces the HL FM receiver. It also allows for disabling the track recoil and superspin, adds momentum (based on tank weight class) and full Tamiya IR standard of battling. Note this will not send HL IR code so will not work with HL tanks.

TBS/BARC4/RX-18 http://battlearmorrc.weebly.com/
As DBC2/3 (above), servo recoil. Uses TBS sound unit which can be further programmed with sounds and light features using TBS programmer lead and software. Note software and sound library free to registered TBS owner/users.

IBU2 - http://www.rctankelectronics.com & http://ibu2.forumattivo.com/ & viewforum.php?f=199
This board totally replaces the HL electronics and uses hobby grade radio equipment. It is designed to use the HL, Taigen and Tamiya wiring so should be plug and play in most tanks, also has servo recoil output as standard. The electronics can be setup for any tank with various option like tank weight class and momentum and LiPo battery support. The sounds are 100% user changeable via a supplied micro SD card and computer.
Current two versions are available. IBU2 base or IBU2 Pro, The Pro version offers everything the base version does but also adds servo elevation and servo traverse. Plus supports regular servo or 360 turn servos. Using a 5 channel radio two additional user sounds, using a 6 channel radio three additional user sounds. Support for 3 cell Lipo batteries or 8 cell 9.6v batteries. and true scale speed adjustment.
An optional audio upgrade is currently been developed which offers independent speakers and volume control of the engine at 6w and sound effects at 6w.

IBU3 - http://www.rctankelectronics.com & viewforum.php?f=199
This is latest version from IBU, it offers everything the IBU2 Base and Pro can do but has been fully redesigned and extra features added included – 15w on board amp, volume control from transmitter, easier setup to radio by auto detection of controls, setup via PC and USB connection, 16 bit sounds, 16mb of on board storage for sounds, 4 user sound effects, users can update own firmware for new features been added, supports external ESC (for large scale tanks, brushless etc), 2 switchable machine guns with different sounds and light plus light pulse to match played sound, auxiliary servo output for opening hatch etc, full proportional smoker output and 3A relay controlled smoker element output, plug and play with henglong and taigen, Tamiya connections for IR and tamiya recoil supported, airsoft support, controls for regular or clutch style gearboxes, half track mode, tank sound library available free to users, expansion port for future module (currently gun stabilization is in testing stage).

Clark TK20/22 - http://www.clark-model.com/
This board totally replaces the HL electronics and uses hobby grade radio equipment. It is designed to use the HL wiring so should be plug and play, although there is some small wiring alterations required depending on which version you go for. It allows full Tamiya IR standard and system is fully programmable via a Sony TV remote control so can be changed to HL code (but not both at same time). The sounds on the boards are not changeable so need to buy specific to the tank.

Clark TK24/60 - http://www.clark-model.com/
TK24 updated TK22 includes improved sound quality, 2 machine gun sounds, clutch type gearbox control. Also TK24G has gun stabilization feature
TK60 is a multi model control board, programmable via PC. At time of writing PC software and sounds to program the TK60 are unavailable.

SLU - http://soundandlightunit.weebly.com/
As Clark TK series but electronics are larger and does not use the HL plugs so rewire/connection required. Plus only Tamiya IR code available.

ElMod - http://www.el-mod.de/index.php?osCsid=g ... dp4u6971j5
This I have no experience with but totally replaces the tanks electronics, uses hobby grade electronics, will require a rewire to connect the electronics. Basic controller does not have sounds so a separate sound card is required. This system I understand is fully programmable including tank sounds.

ElMod Fusion - http://www.el-mod.de/index.php?osCsid=g ... dp4u6971j5
This is the latest version from ElMod which comes in 2 forms Eco & Pro both now have everything on the one board (no more separate sound card) some rewiring for power and motors is required but screw terminal blocks are included but generally rest is plug and play with Heng Long standard wiring, plus there are additional sockets for IR, led flash, and additional lights, machine guns etc. Supports 12v supply. Pro has additional servo outputs like for external ESC. IR battle system is to Tamiya standard.

Tamiya/DMD - http://www.tamiyausa.com/
Normally only in Tamiya tanks due to cost but will work in HL with rewiring. Works with hobby grade radio, don't think it is programmable and unit is tank specific.

I'm sure the list is not complete so if people want to add please feel welcome.

Ian.

** Updated with website links to systems ** 08/01/13
** Updated IBU2 section ** 28/10/13
** Updated IBU2 Pro ** 24/01/14
** Updated ASP/ASP2, IBU3, ElMod Fusion, TK24/60, TBS/BARC4/RX18 ** 11/07/16
Last edited by Tankbear on Mon Jul 11, 2016 1:44 pm, edited 6 times in total.
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Bulldog01
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Re: Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by Bulldog01 »

Just ordered the RX-18. Hopefully that will fix my problem. Also picked up the Dragon ATRC to eliminate that annoying track recoil. I will keep ya posted Ian. Again, thanks for all the info.

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Tankbear
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Re: Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by Tankbear »

** Updated ASP/ASP2, IBU3, ElMod Fusion, TK24/60 ** 11/07/16

I'm sure the list is not complete so if people want to add please feel welcome.
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wibblywobbly
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Re: Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by wibblywobbly »

The Elmod description needs an update.

They now have one tank board in two versions, eco and pro. Both do the same but one has extra sound options and more servo ports, plus any esc's can be plugged in for 12v motors etc.

Everything is on one board, and the only rewiring is to cut the HL motor and power plugs off and simply clamp them into the block connector plugs provided. They do this because someone may wish to fit big motors etc that the HL cables and switches aren't designed to cope with. All other HL plugs go straight in, plus there are additional sockets for IR, led flash, and additional lights, machine guns etc.

Strangely their site advertises their boards, but only describes about 10% of what the boards do. I never figured that one out... :D
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Tankbear
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Re: Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by Tankbear »

Okay updated with Elmod comments. Now if we can have some input from TK24/60 and ASP/ASP2 users?
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MichaelC
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Re: Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by MichaelC »

Don't know about Tk-60 yet, but Tk-24 has upgraded sound quality compared to Tk-20/22, Two different MG sound and a clutch feature. Basically a better Tk-20/22 but nothing ground breaking or significant.

You might want to add the G series of the Tk-24 which has main gun stabilization.
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Re: Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by tao »

TBS/BARC4/RX-18 (or another MFU of choice) Top notch sounds of TBS and pretty much plug and play. Also triggers flash, and adjustments for recoil,spin, momentum, Taymia IR battle etc

http://battlearmorrc.weebly.com/
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Re: Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by Tankbear »

MichaelC wrote:Don't know about Tk-60 yet, but Tk-24 has upgraded sound quality compared to Tk-20/22, Two different MG sound and a clutch feature. Basically a better Tk-20/22 but nothing ground breaking or significant.

You might want to add the G series of the Tk-24 which has main gun stabilization.
Added
tao wrote:TBS/BARC4/RX-18 (or another MFU of choice) Top notch sounds of TBS and pretty much plug and play. Also triggers flash, and adjustments for recoil,spin, momentum, Taymia IR battle etc

http://battlearmorrc.weebly.com/
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Re: Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by Jimigood »

This is totally great and is helpful to anyone new to these tanks as I am. I would urge this this to be locked at the top so it can easily be found by any new members.
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Estnische
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Re: Electronic Upgrade Options to HL tanks

Post by Estnische »

I agree with Jimigood.

I dug this out of the grave after trying to understand the basics of RC.

Can we do a pinned post with a run down of how your RC works, what do HL/Taigen systems do and how it differs from the basics of aeroplane RCs. I'm happy to put it in order if someRC gurus will help me with the technical bits.

Any thoughts?
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