Hi guys,
I have airsoft versions of the Heng Long Panther G and Sherman. After getting some advice from Steve at WDM it seems there's not a simple plug n play solution, but has anyone successfully added HL IR or fully converted these tanks to IR. I recall seeing a post from a few years ago relating to a Panther, but the solution involved swapping out the turret to an IR version.
Is that the best approach, and if so is anyone aware of where to get IR turrets for these tanks?
Ideally I want to keep it as simple as possible, as I'm not looking for any serious modification project or too expensive - the tanks are just to run around the garden.
Thanks in advance.
Paul
Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
Re: Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
Paul,
One of my first tank is a HL BB Panther which I converted to IR, and then 12 tanks later I just converted a new HL BB Sherman to IR. The first consideration you have is whether you would like to have recoil or not, because the BB barrel might not work (I know the Sherman didn't as it has a notch where the manlet is, so even though the inner BB tube can be connected to the recoil the barrel won't slide). If you don't need recoil the conversion is much simpler as you can just use the old BB unit, slide the flash cable using the old BB channel into the inner tube/barrel.
The second consideration is the mounting of the IR emitter and receiver. One simple solution is use the Hammerhead, otherwise you would need to take apart the turret and find use the stand HL BB red LED spot for your IR emitter, and then figure out a mount for the IR Receiver. I think the Panther already has the mount for the IR Receiver even on their BB version. The Sherman did not I don't think.
Steve should be able to line you up with a kit that will have everything you need.
I am assuming that you have the RX-18 board already (Well the Sherman would be for sure). Otherwise it would be a much greater undertaking.
MichaelC
One of my first tank is a HL BB Panther which I converted to IR, and then 12 tanks later I just converted a new HL BB Sherman to IR. The first consideration you have is whether you would like to have recoil or not, because the BB barrel might not work (I know the Sherman didn't as it has a notch where the manlet is, so even though the inner BB tube can be connected to the recoil the barrel won't slide). If you don't need recoil the conversion is much simpler as you can just use the old BB unit, slide the flash cable using the old BB channel into the inner tube/barrel.
The second consideration is the mounting of the IR emitter and receiver. One simple solution is use the Hammerhead, otherwise you would need to take apart the turret and find use the stand HL BB red LED spot for your IR emitter, and then figure out a mount for the IR Receiver. I think the Panther already has the mount for the IR Receiver even on their BB version. The Sherman did not I don't think.
Steve should be able to line you up with a kit that will have everything you need.
I am assuming that you have the RX-18 board already (Well the Sherman would be for sure). Otherwise it would be a much greater undertaking.
MichaelC
Re: Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
Hi Michael, many thanks for the reply, just the info I was looking for.
I'm all for simplicity at this stage, so would live without recoil - so it seems relatively painless, even if a compromise. What is a hammerhead? A different brand emitter/receiver? I've not seen this before.
The panther has a taigen 2.4 tx/rx and the Sherman an RX18, but will probably go to Taigen as well come payday!
I'm all for simplicity at this stage, so would live without recoil - so it seems relatively painless, even if a compromise. What is a hammerhead? A different brand emitter/receiver? I've not seen this before.
The panther has a taigen 2.4 tx/rx and the Sherman an RX18, but will probably go to Taigen as well come payday!
Re: Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
Paul,
Let me know if you are looking for a used Taigen receiver. I am selling couple of them right now.
If you are not looking for recoil it would be pretty straight forward. If you buy the high intensity flash from Steve than it is even easier as it is pre-wired for the Taigen/RX-18. You do need to take out the BB channel that feeds the BB into the gun tube so that you can slide the flash into the barrel.
The Hammerhead is basically a PCB that has LEDs and IR Emitter built into it. All you need to do is plug your IR Receiver into it and you are good to go. You don't need to worry about wiring or mounting for the Receiver, nor the mounting and wiring of the IR emitter. It also has the added bonus of programming/hit indicator LEDs built in for MAKO/Clark board when you do decide to upgrade. Check out RC Aussie and you will find them there.
MichaelC
Let me know if you are looking for a used Taigen receiver. I am selling couple of them right now.
If you are not looking for recoil it would be pretty straight forward. If you buy the high intensity flash from Steve than it is even easier as it is pre-wired for the Taigen/RX-18. You do need to take out the BB channel that feeds the BB into the gun tube so that you can slide the flash into the barrel.
The Hammerhead is basically a PCB that has LEDs and IR Emitter built into it. All you need to do is plug your IR Receiver into it and you are good to go. You don't need to worry about wiring or mounting for the Receiver, nor the mounting and wiring of the IR emitter. It also has the added bonus of programming/hit indicator LEDs built in for MAKO/Clark board when you do decide to upgrade. Check out RC Aussie and you will find them there.
MichaelC
Re: Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
Hi Michael, that's great thanks 
Plenty of food for thought.
I might take you up on the Taigen, but please don't hold on to it on my account. The Sherman runs better than the Panther on the HL TX/RX, but still not brilliant, so haven't done anything with that yet.
I think I need to think long and hard about where I want to go overall. I'd been thinking quick and dirty HL IR for now, with a view to considering the other boards in the future. Dilemma, Dilemma!
Anyway, thanks for your input which is really useful and appreciated Michael. Will let you know how I get on
Plenty of food for thought.I might take you up on the Taigen, but please don't hold on to it on my account. The Sherman runs better than the Panther on the HL TX/RX, but still not brilliant, so haven't done anything with that yet.
I think I need to think long and hard about where I want to go overall. I'd been thinking quick and dirty HL IR for now, with a view to considering the other boards in the future. Dilemma, Dilemma!
Anyway, thanks for your input which is really useful and appreciated Michael. Will let you know how I get on
Re: Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
Paul,
The Panther doesn't run as nice as the Sherman period. I don't think it is the MFU. In fact my Panther just started pigeon toeing out of the blue. The Panther being one of the earliest model and the Sherman being the latest probably has something to do with it.
Good luck with it and I agreed with you. Look around a bit before you decide. Otherwise it is just one conversion after another and trust me I know how that feels. I started off with RX18s, then Taigen, then MAKO and now half of them are on Clark now.
MichaelC
The Panther doesn't run as nice as the Sherman period. I don't think it is the MFU. In fact my Panther just started pigeon toeing out of the blue. The Panther being one of the earliest model and the Sherman being the latest probably has something to do with it.
Good luck with it and I agreed with you. Look around a bit before you decide. Otherwise it is just one conversion after another and trust me I know how that feels. I started off with RX18s, then Taigen, then MAKO and now half of them are on Clark now.
MichaelC
Re: Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
Hi Michael, hope you're keeping well. I think I'll move to the Clark boards in time.
I've got the full IR kits including apple, ir led and wiring. With the taigen 2.4 setup how is it wired into the up left stick to trigger. At this stage I'm going to leave the ir and airsoft in and don't have a problem with both firing at the same time. I think the IR is triggered with the K button when airsoft is in, which obviously doesn't exist on the taigen.
Did you encounter the same problem, and how did you overcome it?
Many thanks.
I've got the full IR kits including apple, ir led and wiring. With the taigen 2.4 setup how is it wired into the up left stick to trigger. At this stage I'm going to leave the ir and airsoft in and don't have a problem with both firing at the same time. I think the IR is triggered with the K button when airsoft is in, which obviously doesn't exist on the taigen.
Did you encounter the same problem, and how did you overcome it?
Many thanks.
Re: Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
Paul,
CN2 (If you looking at the Taigen MFU straight on with the 8pin connector at the bottom) is the first 5 pin top on the top of MFU and your IR receive and emitter should be connected up to that. The pin connections are from left to right: Pin 1 IR+, Pin 2 IR-, Pin 3 IR Apple-, Pin 4 IR Apple Signal and Pin 5 IR Apple+. When you push the left stick up the Taigen MFU knows to fire the IR so it is all automatic. You don't need to do anything else. On your IR, the longer Pin is the +, and on the Apple, the Pin close to the BIG plastic Pin is +, the one in the middle is the Signal, and the one close to the small plastic pin is -.
I don't know if you have any spare JST 5 pin connectors (i.e. the ones that comes with the tank), but you can use any connector as long as the spacing is right.
You should be able to IR battle after this. You just need a place to mount the Apple and the IR emitter. In theory you can disconnect the Airsoft completely, since you are not using the trigger for recoil or the actual Airsoft.
Michael.
CN2 (If you looking at the Taigen MFU straight on with the 8pin connector at the bottom) is the first 5 pin top on the top of MFU and your IR receive and emitter should be connected up to that. The pin connections are from left to right: Pin 1 IR+, Pin 2 IR-, Pin 3 IR Apple-, Pin 4 IR Apple Signal and Pin 5 IR Apple+. When you push the left stick up the Taigen MFU knows to fire the IR so it is all automatic. You don't need to do anything else. On your IR, the longer Pin is the +, and on the Apple, the Pin close to the BIG plastic Pin is +, the one in the middle is the Signal, and the one close to the small plastic pin is -.
I don't know if you have any spare JST 5 pin connectors (i.e. the ones that comes with the tank), but you can use any connector as long as the spacing is right.
You should be able to IR battle after this. You just need a place to mount the Apple and the IR emitter. In theory you can disconnect the Airsoft completely, since you are not using the trigger for recoil or the actual Airsoft.
Michael.
Re: Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
Hi Michael, brilliant
That's how I have it wired up, so should all work. I was thinking it needed something else given the missing "k" button but before I did the other thank I wanted to check it was right before fault finding on two tanks!
Thanks again
Paul
That's how I have it wired up, so should all work. I was thinking it needed something else given the missing "k" button but before I did the other thank I wanted to check it was right before fault finding on two tanks!
Thanks again
Paul
Re: Heng Long Panther & Sherman Airsoft to IR
You don't need another tank to see if it is working. Take a digital camera and aim at at the IR emitter. When you fire (pull the left stick up) you should see the IR light up, which is invisible to the naked eyes but the digital camera will catch it.
The k button on the HL is just to simulate a firing, it doesn't trigger Airsoft or IR I believe.
You do need another tank to see if your apple is receiving IR signal.
Good luck !
Michael.
The k button on the HL is just to simulate a firing, it doesn't trigger Airsoft or IR I believe.
You do need another tank to see if your apple is receiving IR signal.
Good luck !
Michael.
