HL RX 18 busted?

[abec91]

I encountered my first real issue with my HL Tiger 1. Today i tried turning it on and all that happens is the lights flash but pretty much nothing else, you can hear an almost silent buzz from the speaker but that is it. The lights just keep on flashing and nothing works. I tried a different battery thinking it might be low on juice and even replacing the receiver batteries. I don't know if it is the rx 18 board that went or the receiver board. Has anyone have suggestions on what to try? I'm thinking of picking up a new board of a new cheapo tank just to take the insides out of it.

[LMN118]

Hi there, could be the crystals, try reseating them first before purchasing anything. Did you get a spare set with your tank?

[abec91]

I didn't get a spare set but i figured that the crystals are one of those parts that don't usually break.

[Saxondog]

Could be the antenna wire connection? The lights will flash without the transmitter I think. Most of us change the Antenna to an internal wire coiled about 30mm long,works better and gets rid of the out of scale wip lash tree grabbing antenna.

Swap crystals and see if their is any effect but it seems the issue is the signal, transmitter batteries ok? Were are you located UK or Us?

If USA I could mail you a replacement to eliminate the crystals as the issue.

Sax

[Tankie]

I agree with the others - it doesn't sound like the RX18 - more likely the little receiver board in the tank if not the fit of the crystals. I have had 3 receiver boards fail (in 4 tanks) so its not uncommon.
Buying a cheap tank might not help a lot - it may not have the same innards anyway.
Rather more use to buy a receiver board for a few ££ from Forgebear (as well as an rx 18 if you wish). Also check the 3 wire cable between the receiver & RX18 is fitted properly before going for your wallet.

[abec91]

Thanks for the offer Sax, but i'm in UK. I found some crystals on ebay for 6 pounds so i will pick those up. The batteries in the transmitter are new (it was the first thing that i checked).
I double checked the connecting wires since i unplugged them a few times as i was going my mods but unfortunately they are good.

I have the receiver board TK-YL101-3 i found a receiver board on ebay but its a HL0002B is there much difference in the performance between them?

[wibblywobbly]

I had a problem today with an RX18. I just threw together a load of junk parts into a PzrIII hull. The RX18 was new, it fired up, but kept going dead.

After a bit of investigation I discovered that the switch solder had a break in it. The two black wires are supposed to be one on each terminal, plus a blob of solder joining the two terminals. If that blob is missing or broken, then the board will not work. It will appear dead. Good old HL soldering!

I also got that terrible high pitched whine. Playing with the trims resolved it, the right hand one should be adjusted so that you get the tickover sound when the stick is central. If it is set so that you are getting the engine running sound, but the tank isn't moving, then you will get the whine. A poor signal, or low battery will make it worse, so make sure that the antennae wire is firmly seated in the rx wire, ensure that the 3 pin plug is firmly in the RX18, and that the antennae is the correct length.

[abec91]

It may be the receiver board because i bought a new RX18 with the receiver board and new crystals and everything worked. So i decided to see what the faulty part was. First i put the old crystals in and they did not work. Feeling happy that its just the crystals i hooked up the old receiver board with the new crystals and the tank showed the same symptoms as before. Changed back to the new receiver but i guess the old receiver board fried the crystal already because it was a no go again. Currently im waiting for new crystals. Once i get them i will try the old Rx board to see it is ok.

I will update you guys on my progress.

[Tankie]

You can't 'fry' crystals - they are pretty well electrically indestructible although you can break them if you drop them on a hard surface. Are you sure they are a matching pair? - its a daft question but I once received a Heng Long tank with a non matching pair (the sticker on one said the right frequency, but that printed on the metal can was different). I was lucky to check this almost as the first thing else it may have taken ages to find. From what you say above the receiver definitely sounds faulty anyway. The HL0002B reference is just the sellers (Tankzone) reference - all HL receivers are interchangeable - personally, i'd buy from Forgebear (advert at top of this page) who also sells on ebay.

[wibblywobbly]

One thing I discovered a long way back was that the crystals 4+ are not 100% compatible with the early rx boards. You might want to try a npair in the 1-3 range and see if they work.