Heng Long Tanks - Advanced Modifications

[CanadianBulldog22]

My apologies to the group, I am not and never planned on coming off as an elitist. I probably could have used better phrasing. I have corrected it. I did not mean to exclude anyone nor do I mean to come off as a know it all. There is a lot I do not know. I am however a mechanical engineer, which does give me some precedence to add my technical knowledge when relevant.

I am unsure if I will continue to post on this forum at this time as there seems to be a lot of general negative attitudes. Instead of assuming the worst about what someone has written maybe try giving people the benefit of the doubt.

Chris


Chris

[cannedheat]

My apologies to the group, I am not and never planned on coming off as an elitist. I probably could have used better phrasing. I have corrected it. I did not mean to exclude anyone nor do I mean to come off as a know it all. There is a lot I do not know. I am however a mechanical engineer, which does give me some precedence to add my technical knowledge when relevant.

I am unsure if I will continue to post on this forum at this time as there seems to be a lot of general negative attitudes. Instead of assuming the worst about what someone has written maybe try giving people the benefit of the doubt.

Chris


Chris

the thing is old chap ....there are a lot of seasoned modellers on this forum that have been at it a long time ,and to speak fairly and bluntly
the first impressions are ,we have a smart arse hear, and folks have let there feeling known as you can see, so old chap accept the co,s punishment take it on the chin ,and enjoy the forum .......wot wot ......

[SovereignZuul]

Not sure why the responses were harsh, this isn't the norm Chris. Sorry you saw it as an intro here! I, for one, was not offended. Don't run off yet, I think these were just some misunderstandings here.

- Sov/Paul

[dgsselkirk]

Hi Chris,

I waited to see your response to the comments. I think you approached the subject a little stiff shall we say!

If I may suggest, look around the threads a little more. This forum is filled with people who say "here is what I did" rather than "here is what you should do" and "here is why I don't do this or buy this" rather than "don't do this or buy this"

I agree with Shaun (Jarndice) I rarely look at the language, I am more interested in the message. So to that end you got spanked a little but really no harm, no foul, I for one would be interested in seeing you complete the essay and have a healthy discussion about why I disagree with you!

P.S. I can hardly wait to see once you do all your mods what this tank of yours will cost!

Dean

[SovereignZuul]

P.S. I can hardly wait to see once you do all your mods what this tank of yours will cost!

*hides my receipt pile*



I wouldn't know anything about that....

[ALPHA]

P.S. I can hardly wait to see once you do all your mods what this tank of yours will cost!

*hides my receipt pile*



I wouldn't know anything about that....

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Although it is always good to see members modifying tanks and improving them, there is a fine line between cost and effect.

If the wheels on an HL tank have been assembled correctly at the factory, they are free spinning and generate very little rolling resistance. The one thing that a tank is not noted for is speed, and many modellers modify their tanks with reduction gearboxes and upgraded electronics to slow them down. So, yes, fitting roller bearings is a feat of engineering, and will reduce friction, but the benefit is not going to be noticeable.

Sealed bearings are still going to get caked in mud, water and grass, so if they are run off road, the resistance is going to come from the muck that the wheels and tracks pick up rather than the bearings. In this respect HL's are easy to clean, and can be washed.

My view is (based on real life vehicles) that if a tank is running off road then unsprung weight is more of an issue. CanadianBulldog may be able to confirm or trash the notion that in order for suspension to work effectively, the weight attached to suspension should be as low as possible. If you push down on a tank it takes a lot of pressure before the suspension moves. Fitting stiffer springs makes it worse.

Off road, the tracks hit a bump, the track pushes on the road wheel, and the road wheel pushes on the spring. If the force of the upward movement is less than the spring resistance, the wheel does not move. The force is then transmitted through the suspension and simply lifts the tank. At this point the suspension is not working at all, so the whole tank lifts.

Lower unsprung weight together with a weighted tank that is balanced at the point where the suspension starts to work, and softer springs, should in theory allow the upper hull to stay where it is, and the road wheels to move on the suspension arms. Adding unsprung weight like metal road wheels, bearings etc etc creates more mass to be moved when the tracks go over a bump, so more work for the suspension to do in terms of momentum/inertia etc.

It would be interesting to hear whether what applies in the automotive world applies to plastic tanks, I have always wondered? It is a genuine question

RobG

Good assessment.... bearing do help once the tank increases in weight...reason I try not to go over 12 lbs on mine...Weight adds drag... it's that drag that loads the motors translating into heat ...that heat transfers back to the electricals ...everything goes hand in hand

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

When I'm dead, I hope my wife doesn't sell my tanks for what I told her they cost......

...Hide secret price tags in the hulls ......................

ALPHA

[SovereignZuul]

I don't dare tell anyone I know what my Armortek stuff cost. They'll lock me up!


P.S. Alpha! the more weight the better! I can't wait to see how heavy mine is once it's assembled!

[ALPHA]

My apologies to the group, I am not and never planned on coming off as an elitist. I probably could have used better phrasing. I have corrected it. I did not mean to exclude anyone nor do I mean to come off as a know it all. There is a lot I do not know. I am however a mechanical engineer, which does give me some precedence to add my technical knowledge when relevant.

I am unsure if I will continue to post on this forum at this time as there seems to be a lot of general negative attitudes. Instead of assuming the worst about what someone has written maybe try giving people the benefit of the doubt.

Chris


Chris

I actually enjoyed the post.... I was actually looking forward to seeing more of your work...it's always a pleasure for me to see how others attack these models...it's the only way we learn ...I like to learn new stuff...or even watch old techniques used...So don't worry so much... we all blurt out things that touches some sensitive note...but that's life...and in life there are many times you just have to roll with the punches and continue on

So welcome Bulldog...don't worry...your input is appreciated

ALPHA