Hi Mike
Tiger 1
Asiatam lower hull
Metal road wheels
Metal tracks
Metal tools
Alloy barrel
Brass muzzle
Metal hatches
Metal cupola
Muzzle flash
Metal machine gun
Metal gearboxes
Visaton FRS7-8 speaker + speaker box
Jamara 480 BB HS motors
Weight 13 pounds
Elmod:
Thinktank v1.00 (latest version)
Sounblaster v1.06 (latest version)
CSI battle unit (modified and concealed leds + sensors)
Reworked Modified sound files including crew voices and battlefield sounds, theme music and Last Post!)
First set of boards, old style, flash card holder fell off as not soldered on properly.
Replaced by Elmod with new style boards.
After minimal use the fuse blew that supplies the 8 pin and 5 pin sockets.
Numerous emails did not acheive a resolution so I simply returned it.
Fuse replaced by Elmod.
Again, after minimal use the same fuse blew.
Numerous emails, and Elmod advised that they would send a replacement component so that I could fit it myself.
Before new component sent the ESC's on Thinktank board started smoking after 20 secs in its first use up a slight gradient. Ran my Bulldog over the same area for 20 minutes with no problems at all.
Placed tank on bench, removed battle unit, speaker, soundblaster. Left just motors, power, and thinktank board. Ran tank raised off bench with no transmission resistance. Smoking again. Checked board and 2 x esc's are toast.
Elmod asked me to return board and they will fix it.
Quoted possible causes:
- blocked mechanics (a stone in the chain??)
- missing/malfunctioning interference suppression on the motors (there must be three condensators per motor. Two are problably inside the housing)
- the motors are too big
We have good experiences with the Jamara 480Pro (the type with the slowest speed.. ), but I don't think it's the problem.
1. Nope
2. I haven't fitted any suppressors to these motors and I don't think the Graupner 400's I had in there before had any. Need to research this.
3. Others use these motors without problems.
I then used a brand new out of the packet Board:
Board No2 – Brand New.
I have today conducted the following tests:
Test 1.
1. Tank is raised on hull. Minimal transmission resistance.
2. Installed new Thinktank board
3. Connected Power +/-
4. Connected 2 x Jamara 480 BB HS motors
5. Removed jumper
6. Motors begin running
7. Instant smoking from esc.
8. Immediately turned off power
Test 2.
1. Connected motors directly to battery
2. Use a ‘clamp meter’ to measure amps on each motor
3. 3 amps
Test 3.
1. Removed gearboxes from hull
2. Connected motors directly to battery
3. Placed ‘load’ on driveshafts
4. Minimum load = 1.5 amps
5. Normal running = 3 amps
6. Maximum load = 10 amps (the tank would never be subjected to this level of abuse, a friend gripped the driveshaft as hard as he could with pliers).
Test 4.
1. Gearboxes not installed
2. Installed Thinktank board
3. Connected Power +/-
4. Connected 2 x Standard Heng Long Motors
5. Removed jumper
6. Only 1 motor active
7. Swapped motors L to R
8. Still only 1 motor running
The Jamara motors do not exceed the specification for the Elmod board, Elmod confirmed that many people use them.
The Heng Long motors do not exceed the specification for the Elmod board.
They would only have required 3amps during Test 1, but the Thinktank board still failed?
I also used a digital heat sensor during Test 1, and no increase in temperature was detected before the smoke appeared.
I have conducted all of the tests that are available on the motors and they are not overloading the Thinktank board, and yet the board still fails. I have no idea why this should be.
Update - Thomas now tells me that the Jamara HS BB motors will blow the esc's, but he doesn't know why? I have now fitted Protech 400's. Just as efficient, and as soon as anything jams the tracks the main fuse blows, which is just what I want. I have also fitted a 10amp circuit breaker that plugs into the fuse holder, now when it blows I can just remove the obstruction and reset the fuse!
Rob G
