KV-1 Project.

[Tankbear]

your build is going along very nicely Tankbear. I wish I have the extra funds and your skills for this upgrade. I can't wait to see it finished.

Cheers Tanklover. Agree the kit isn't cheap but so far is excellent quality (I know more when I use it), as far as skills go for building it. Couldn't of been easier everything fits first time (unlike the Tiger one which needed a lot of adjustment).

One note I will make is if you use the supplied drive sprockets (metal) you need the short shaft gearbox, the HL comes with long shaft even with HL metal sprockets. Wasn't a problem as the Asiatam 3:1 I got for the tank came with both long and short so I need to swap them over before installing.

Ian.

[Tankbear]

Nice work, and I can se you have 1: a new camera, ore 2: found the macro button for close up's . Much sharper shot's now, than in the start.

1) Sort of. Earlier pictures I did in the garden with good light so used Mobile phone as quicker to upload pictures. Later pictures taken with a digital camera as the flash is better as shots done in garage.

2) Yes. Think Andy in Cheltham give a few tips on picture taking a few weeks back and tried it out and wow what a difference.

[jonger]

Just picking up on a comment you made earlier in the build
"Ordered some 5mm diameted plastic pipe other day, which arrived today. But couldn't get it to work as pipe too rigid,"
I have found the plastic pipe sold for fish tank air supply is the right size and flexible enough to route almost anywhere - and cheap too! I got a 1.8m roll for £1.99

[Tankbear]

Hi Jonger,

I think this was for fish tank use, but went for a larger size than the HL smoke pipe so could get more smoke out with out clogging (condensation in the pipe).

I’ve had to move the motor in the gear box back into the original position as the bracket to hold the hull top on meant it didn’t work. So now the motor is back in the way of the exhaust. So I need to rethink a way around that now. Plus thinking of making a purpose made smoker which fits directly under hull top to save on undoing & redoing the pipework every time I open the hull up to remove battery for charging.

Ian.

[Tankbear]

Ok guys another cold evening in the garage.

Right back the gearboxes.

Fitted the shorter drive shafts to the gearboxes


The mounting plate.


Decided to add some sound proof foam between the gearbox and mounting plate.


Sounded like a good idea but took ages to fix gearboxes in as couldn't find the holes plus had to squash it down for the screws to bite. Was it worth 30-40 minutes to fit them


Drive sprockets fitted.


Tracks fitted. That was fun, not.


Now to say using all Asiatam parts, not certain about track placement.
At front the tracks flare out.


At back nanometers away from hull.


Well that is the transmission fitted, time for a quick spin on garage floor.

Ian.

[Tankbear]

Short test drive appears fine drives in a good straight line '8

So back on with transfering bits over to the new hull. Electronics in wiring routed down the sides leaving a clear space for the quick release bracket.


LED tail light added. I kept the one I already had as was wired in with the correct resistance. The Asiatam doesn't come with any resistor or tell you what type or how to wire it up which I think could be addressed a bit better.


Quick release bracket fitted to upper hull.


Add underneath two hex bolts to hold down the hull top. So the lid is actually bolted down unlike the spring catch of the tiger hull.


Next remove the towing eyes


Wow that's a small nut and bolt, not best thing to handle with numb freezing cold hands.


Towing eyes back on with towing rope attached.



Now lid was on and tank on block of wood I thought I try out all the functions, all fine but found this on one track the track riding up off the sprocket. Any idea whats causing it?


That's all I did tonight.

Ian

[Reaper332]

Nice work so far Tankbear, I have the exact same hull as yours only I mine has the spring latch to remove the top just waiting on getting the gearboxes for it so i can finish it. Makes a nice heavy little tank though I thought.
Cheers Ken

[caddyshack]

Nice build TB..as for the tracks..don't realy know. But i guess it could be some tight links.
If it were mine i think i would mark those 2 links with a marker pen. Take the track out. Remove the pins and work to free those joints a little more.
If it work when it was back on the tank. Then you could do any more that needed it.
If not its got be the drive sprocket some how.. May be not a straght on (I.e. a little to the left or right) as the other side making the track twisted as it trys to ride the sprocket.
Am sure you will get down to the bottom of it TB.

[blimp]

Iain , the left hand track is on backwards - KV tracks are monodirectional , besides they will last longer with the thicker 'pin' piece of tracklink contacting .

• ( Personally , I prefer the HL/Mato sprockets , they have a better tooth profile.)

[Tankbear]

Cheers Blimp, I had noticed one track was wrong way round but didn't know which was correct Funny all the time I took them off and on the HL hull that never happened

Next question is what is best way to remove/put on the tracks? I like to keep them in one piece and the HL I removed the idle wheel but no chance here. Managed to put on with split drive sprocket, but some how expect that be a pain to remove.

Ian.