New member New tank New problem?

[Tijai]

For what it's worth, my T90 was supplied with a 7.2 vt lithium ion battery, which goes crossways in the battery compartment.

Good to know theyt exist, however I trawled ebay etc and all the T90 spare batteries state 9.6V. Cant seem to find a 7.2 anywhere.

[Blackadder123]

If you want to make your Pz3 really sturdy and rid the battery box, you can cut the whole box out with a dremel-type cutter and fill the hull with resin. It'll harden and give both rigidity and weight for realism. Then to top it off, screw in or glue small neodymium magnets onto the poles where the screws usually go so that the top hull can simply be lifted off when needed. Much better than having to unscrew the battery box everytime in my opinion and also gives you heaps of room inside.

I only carried out this operation on my Pershing last week and it's absolutely worth it! Turns a relatively cheap, toyish Heng Long into a great platform that you can modify further.

Sounds like a good idea.
What type of resin would you use to do this?

It looks like I could only fill upto about 1/4" before to keep below gearboxes.

I like the magnet idea but would still feel safer with some kind of clip as well so someone doesnt pick it up and rip top off with all the wires.

The resin I used was of the epoxy type I think. They're safer than the polyester type that is poisonous. The thing to look out for is a resin that mixes in the ratio of 1:1, meaning 50% resin and 50% hardener. This makes getting the right ratio much easier.

[jarndice]

If it were me I would cut out the battery box but if you are intent on getting a 7.2/4 LI-PO battery to fit your PZ3 then I would suggest you go to ----
www.componentshop.co.uk
They do have what you say is not to be found.
Shaun.

[Max-U52]

If you open the stock li-ion battery case you'll find a much smaller battery inside. Erik has taken them apart and tells me the battery inside that case is very small, so I guess they just use that case so it will appear the same size as a standard nimh.

[Max-U52]

Before



After

[Blackadder123]

Wow! Bamboozled!

[Max-U52]

If you do go lipo you might try to find this. Same length and width as stock, but only 12mm thick.

[Tijai]

Before
Image

After

Image

OMG thats fantastic.
That looks like the exact thing I have been looking everywhere for

Edit - Just opened up and that is exactly what I found. Thank you so much.

Looks like the battery issue may be solved for now, but liking some of the other ideas you guys have - many thanks.


I have kind of already formulated a plan and if you have the time your input would be appreciated:

1. Install Rx-18 controller / TX Board and crystals (I understand from general browsing this is probably the best low cost controller upgrade?)
2. Need to find a low cost radio that works with that setup.
3. Install sound board and try to find / make a better speaker option (Resin idea from earlier may give me more space to do this)
4. Research Gun Recoil units
5. Look for lower ratio gears
6. Metal Parts for running gear
7. Painting and weathering (although this might get bumped up the list)
8. Look into smoke.

Its a long road most of which will be tempered by awaiting paychecks and savings to cover it, but I'm sure I will enjoy it and looking forward to end result.

If no forum mods mind will keep updating this thread with any progress.

[jarndice]

Might I suggest that when you fit a replacement "RX-18" Control Board that you buy a 2.4 "Digital" Version rather than using an "Analogue" RX-18 Control Board, that way you can dispence with Crystals and fitting a Smoker and Sound will be a simple case of plugging into the RX-18 allotted sockets,
The difference in price will be nominal.
You would be advised to ensure that you buy a matching Heng Long Radio,
As to any other Radio you should know that Heng Long/Taigen/Torro use a closed system of R/C which with a certain Australian exception precludes the use of any aftermarket Radio system.
To use an aftermarket Radio/Receiver with your PZ3 would entail changing your RX-18 for an aftermarket control board such as an ASP/IBU2/3/Clark etc, all of which offer advantages over the RX-18 but you pay quite a bit for those advantages.
There are many advantages to Digital including you can be rid of the engine bay mounted whip aerial which of course was never fitted to a real PZ3 and Digital means never having to worry about "Cross Talking" with another Analogue R/C user and of course there is a greater range in which your Tank can operate.
Shaun.

[Max-U52]

Shaun's right about going to 2.4 GHz. much better system. You can find them used in the UK for about 35 pounds, like this thread from Andy (Spartan Tracks).

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=23521

If you contact Andy you might see if he'd go for 30 pounds. Over here in the states I sell a used set like this for $40, which is just under 30 pounds. Andy's a great guy so he might drop his price a bit to help a new guy get started.