HL Panther G keeps pulling to the left

[khensu]

I bought this Heng Long Panther G from rctank.de. Since I got it the tank's been pulling to the left.

I've trimmed it to the right on the remote control that came with it, but it still pulls to the left (even on the furthest right trim setting).
On another remote control, it keeps pulling to the left as well - until I trim it one more small 'click' to the right, then it suddenly pulls right. I can't find a "middle" position or a position where it at least only pulls slightly to one side. Right now the tank requires constant and immediate correction.

This problem doesn't occur with my other two Heng Long tanks (III Ausf. L & IV Ausf. F1), which weren't changed. The IV F1 pulled slightly to one side, but a slight trimming on the remote control fixed that straight away.
In the back of my mind there's an inane fear that the changed motors in the Panther G may be the cause, but I wouldn't have a clue how to check that out/fix it.

I've already sent a few e-mails to the people at rctank.de, who responded quickly and were helpful, but none of their tips changed the situation. I've oiled the motors but to no avail (unless oil needs to "work in" for an extended period of time?).

Are there any home-grown tips for this, or do I just need to man up and learn to correct the tank more swiftly?

(I hope it's clear enough, English isn't my first language. If not, tell me!)

[fv432]

Hi Khensu your english is very good

first a question you spoke of "Changed" gearboxes are they metal ones im guessing?

if so they will need to have there gears bedded in using now this sounds funny but Toothpaste due to its light abrasive qualities
its recommended to remove the gearboxes and do this out of the tank (as it makes a real mess)
remove the motors and turn the gears using a drill on the sprocket shafts make sure the gears run really smooth and run free with no binding or bad meshing give them a good clean re-oil and replace in the tank

Kind Regards Rob

[mcevoyi]

nice tip rob !

gleaming white gearboxes ¬¬¬

cool mint fresh too

love it !

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

check the tracks are the same length too - sometimes they come with a link missing from one side.

[Saxondog]

Xrad has posted a thread where he used cam grinding compound to work in the gears with some very good results,I tried it today with my Tiger gearboxes that have always been loud and it worked great,instant quite.This may help in your circumstance.

[khensu]

first a question you spoke of "Changed" gearboxes are they metal ones im guessing?

if so they will need to have there gears bedded in using now this sounds funny but Toothpaste due to its light abrasive qualities
its recommended to remove the gearboxes and do this out of the tank (as it makes a real mess)
remove the motors and turn the gears using a drill on the sprocket shafts make sure the gears run really smooth and run free with no binding or bad meshing give them a good clean re-oil and replace in the tank

Yes, they're the metal ones. I should give this a try - it sounds messy but fun (until the other half comes home, anyway ).

Xrad has posted a thread where he used cam grinding compound to work in the gears with some very good results,I tried it today with my Tiger gearboxes that have always been loud and it worked great,instant quite.This may help in your circumstance.

Cool, I'll have to keep an eye out for that stuff.

check the tracks are the same length too - sometimes they come with a link missing from one side.

Will do!


Right, off to measure the tracks and then maybe put toothpaste in the gears (never thought I'd ever use a sentence like that). Thanks everyone!

[fv432]

Let us now how you got on and pictures are good

[khensu]

Let us now how you got on and pictures are good

Here's the update:

The tracks are the same length, but sometimes (mainly when using a 'slow' speed) the left track starts moving sooner than the right track.

I've applied toothpaste (other half is yet to find out) to the gears and I've let the tank run around, and have been using the remote control that came with the HL Pzkpfw IV. Using the 1700mah battery instead of the 2000mah battery also seems to help a little bit.

With the toothpaste (I think it helped, anyway) and the different remote control, it still pulls to the left but in a more 'acceptable' way. The "trimming too much" problem still happens, though: the tank will drive fine for a short while, and then suddenly (preferably near the side of a door or any other hard object) swing right. I've actually yelled profanities at the tank tonight when it did that. The only way to combat this "sudden hitting the gun on something hard" is to let it pull to the left. But I guess I can deal with that for now. To be fair, it's "only" an RC tank, not a defibrillator

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

check the motor cables, sound like one of them is frayed or has a dry joint.

Failing that, then you just have a one motor thats not as loose / magnets aren't as powerfull / brushes are crap

[khensu]

Thanks, Ex_Pat_Tanker. I'll keep a good eye on the tank's movements, and keep this topic in mind. Full of good tips

For now it seems OK. I'm using another remote control, another (less powerful) battery and have applied the toothpaste (I'm still quite amused by that fact, as silly as that may seem). The other half wasn't even angry!

Anyway, here he is, in all his glory, the Conquerer of Living Room Floors and DVDs:
http://www.indigetesdii.org/stuff/tanks ... 5-dvds.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That Coupling DVD isn't mine, I swear.