Tiger I Late #133 Normandy Taigen/TK7.0 swap

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MrChef
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by MrChef »

So for many reasons I decided to do a full electronics swap. I chose the Heng Long TK 7.0 for ease of install, my familiarity with the system, price, availability, controls, options and features. The whole swap is $79 with Tiger I sounds from Toucan RC right now:

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/hl ... fbab&_ss=r

You get the following-
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Got some time to do the electronics. You have to rewire/solder the motors, the Taigen plugs need to be changed to the Heng Long bullet plugs. So then I became aware that Taigen motors are reversed polarity compared to Heng Long. No biggy but the mismatched wires would probably drive someone with OCD completely bonkers, I would have rewired them if I cared.

Now, Driving characteristics with the TK 7.0 are GLORIOUS compared to the V3. I ended up adjusting it to the low power mode which is supposed to be 70% and it still has torque and pep but runs so well, so smooth. If I put it back to full speed it still boogies like it used to but it has so much better handling now. The controls are Soo much more accurate and progressive. WHY OH WHY doesn't Taigen do something better than that V3 system.

Then I worked my way up. I kept the Taigen Speaker as its superior to the Heng Long muffled coffin. Added the smoker and it blows like Cheech-N-Chong. Of course did the Turret Aiatam Recoil and Elevation, which also required rewiring and soldering. But we've covered this before. I'd love to say that that was without drama but for some reason I forgot about the niggling micro-switch. After some headache and many swear words and a few breaks in between I resolved it by adding a small washer to the micro-switch screw and BAM! Perfect recoil. Elevation was no drama, just like putting some old slippers on. I also learned about Solder Braid since I rewired and cleaned everything.

Then 1 of the reasons I did the swap was I wanted Barrel Smoke. It already came with flash but adding barrel smoke would have cost more than the whole TK 7.0 swap. So I added the "open fire" barrel smoke and flash kit. It comes pre-wired so I ditched the stock flash.

Well that about catches us up. After this will be cutting, buzzing and sanding time.

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So after taking everything apart I gotta say I'm even more impressed with Taigens product, build quality and QC. It's just such a better made, more robust and quality platform. But the electronics are so poorly lacking.

Well there we are.
Last edited by MrChef on Wed Dec 18, 2024 4:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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jarndice
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by jarndice »

Great build, very helpful, Thank you.
I think I am about to upset someone :haha:
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Panzermechaniker
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by Panzermechaniker »

Great to see your build starting to move again. :thumbup: Also to see how you guys do your V3 to HL conversion. All my Taigen/Torros have been to Clarks because of our club battling protocol but maybe I should try doing one to see how it drives in comparison as I now have 19 battle configured tanks which is kind of ridiculous :/ :haha: :haha: :haha:
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MrChef
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by MrChef »

jarndice wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 10:32 am Great build, very helpful, Thank you.
Thank you. The stupid micro switch on the recoil that I forgot about had me hating this thing for about a day. But it's all back on course now. Time to start cutting and grinding.
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MrChef
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by MrChef »

Panzermechaniker wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 3:45 pm Great to see your build starting to move again. :thumbup: Also to see how you guys do your V3 to HL conversion. All my Taigen/Torros have been to Clarks because of our club battling protocol but maybe I should try doing one to see how it drives in comparison as I now have 19 battle configured tanks which is kind of ridiculous :/ :haha: :haha: :haha:
Thanks for the support. Yes real life has it's way of keeping me from the fun :haha:

Yes the conversion isn't hard. A bit of rewiring and soldering but if I can do it a drunken monkey with 2 left thumbs could do better.

I'd say give it a go. As for club battling those West coast Cali boys have been working on the Lego DEI receiver for the Heng Long system. It is for sale directly from MotionRC now-
https://www.motionrc.com/products/legod ... ffYFIO75Jm

At the very least, you'll have a much better driving experience and ease of control from the TX for a fraction of the other aftermarket board and TX setups.
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Meter rat
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by Meter rat »

I was going to write something sarcastic about not being able to work this mod. :haha:
But instead I will congratulate you on your persistence and educating others. I will be carrying out this on Tiger 996 in the near future. I have a couple of surplus boards.
Will you be removing the moulded on tools?
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MrChef
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by MrChef »

Meter rat wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 6:00 pm I was going to write something sarcastic about not being able to work this mod. :haha:
Age is effecting the memory... :crazy: And I didn't have the same issue the first time. But I can take the whole damned thing apart including the micro switch to check the spring and contacts now. Ohh and I learned how to use solder braid too.

Sarcastic? Oh I thought you were always literal :haha: :haha: :haha:

Meter rat wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 6:00 pmBut instead I will congratulate you on your persistence and educating others. I will be carrying out this on Tiger 996 in the near future. I have a couple of surplus boards.
Will you be removing the moulded on tools?
Thank you sir.

And yes I'll be stripping the upper hull deck and adding the turret protection ring too. :beer:
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Panzermechaniker
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by Panzermechaniker »

I ordered a turret protection ring from Shapeways when I was going to originally turn my Tamiya Tiger into a late but in the end just rebuilt it as an early. You are welcome to it if you haven't already ordered one
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MrChef
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by MrChef »

Panzermechaniker wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 7:25 pm I ordered a turret protection ring from Shapeways when I was going to originally turn my Tamiya Tiger into a late but in the end just rebuilt it as an early. You are welcome to it if you haven't already ordered one
Thank you I already have one from John at East Coast Armory. I had been collecting goodies for the Tiger since I got it. I got stuff for a Mid and a Late since I was undecided at the time. I decided on a late based on my new research. But thank you very much for the offer.
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MrChef
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Re: [D-Day] Tiger I Late #133 [UPDATE]

Post by MrChef »

Onward and upward. Time to get my grind on.

One of the very few things that I absolutely Hate about the Taigen Tanks is the molded in tools. Well that and the sub par MFU. Say good bye-

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A grinding we will go

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I had gotten this resin turret protection ring from John at ECA months ago, put it away and kinda forgot about it. Suffice to say it got kinda out of round and I couldn't think of a way to get it right. I remembered the hot water trick I think I saw someone share here for styrene and resin before. Then I was tossing ideas around how to mold it to shape. My wonderful wife suggested using this mixing bowl and after getting it pliable with some hot water from the pot I started molding it and spreading it slowly on this upside down stainless steel bowl. Funny enough at the pretty good round it fits perfectly in the lip of the bowl so now that's its storage till I glue it in place.

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Next up I did a mock fitting with the turret, ring, and tools to see how its all going to work out.

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Last edited by MrChef on Fri Dec 20, 2024 11:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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