New to RC, need HELP!!

[rchan10]

Hi, I am new to RC.
I just buy a Tamiya 1/16 RC Tiger I full option kit from eBay. It is new and seal from the Tamiya box. I also have 2 Venom NiMH 5000 battery and Futaba 4YF radio system with R2004GF Receiver. The Radio system is work when purchase. When I connect the DMD T03 control unit, MF-01, the receiver and the two battery together. It had smoke and smell from the DMD T03 and MF-01, I disconnect it asap and let it cool down. On the next day, I connect the DMD T03, receiver and the battery. There has no smoke and smell, but the 2 lights in the DMD unit are blinking ORANGE, and the LED in the receiver does not on. I think they are not connected. I thalked to the RC shop, it seems they are not very familiar to these two units.
Here are my questions. From the manual of the radio system, the receiver need to charge the NiCd battery and connect to a battery pack, but the manual of model kit says - DO NOT CONNECT THE BATTERY PACK TO THE RECEIVER, is it mean that I need to precharge the battery in the receiver, or 7.2v battery will supply power to it via the DMD control unit ( there is not connection port from the DMD to the receiver port B )? If I precharge the receiver will it damage the DMD control unit? Are the DMD T03 and MF-01 already DEAD on the first time? Please help!! THX!

[rchan10]

Another thought, will it be too strong with the battery, 5000NiMh, that kill the DMD control T03 and the MF-01 units?

[Awins]

Cant help you with the connection problem as Im new to this myself and yet to connect up my Tamiya KT, but to me it very much sounds like you have some how made the wrong connections hence the smoke and smell. I can tell you though that the battery size (eg 5000) will not cause this problem. This is simply the battery capacity. Think of it like the fuel tank of a car the higher the number the more it will hold for example 20 gals is more than 10gals and for yoyr battery a 5000 has a greater capacity than a 2300 etc. Hope this helps.

[Marc780]

O o...I've fried a receiver or two and that's what they smell like, alright. You'd think they'd fuse it, but if that were the case, there'd probably have been no burned smell...Otherwise you just might need a Tamiya receiver replaced and the control unit...

They have a lifetime warranty on the electronics but, I'm guessing it doesn't cover user self-incineration (like i said i've done it once or twice, but these are heng long 2.4 ghz receivers, $35 a pop) - i looked at the DMD 03 and they are $100-150 not sure what the other part costs...sorry

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_kw=Tamiya+DMD+Unit

[rchan10]

Hi Awins, you say you are building a Tayima KT. Do you need to charge the receiver separately? or just connect to DMD with the four channel wires? Is the DMD provided the power to receiver if it is in a good condition status. If you do not need to charge the receiver and work with the DMD, then my DMD may be DEAD. Do you know any service center in North Calif?

[billpe]

I'd contact Tamiya US and ask for them to test it. If the problem is their end they'll replace. Tamiya electronics are pretty hard to break. I've treated my Tamiya kt pretty roughly over the years with no issues.

The receiver doesn't need a charge, just plug it all together as per the instructions. You may need to switch around the connections to the RX to get the functions right. if there is no life there may be a problem. However if its smoking I'd say it's well past the point of testing yourself.

[Awins]

Hi Awins, you say you are building a Tayima KT. Do you need to charge the receiver separately? or just connect to DMD with the four channel wires? Is the DMD provided the power to receiver if it is in a good condition status. If you do not need to charge the receiver and work with the DMD, then my DMD may be DEAD. Do you know any service center in North Calif?

No sorry I havnt reached that stage yet but my intruction booklet says NOT to connect a seperate battery to the receiver. Im quite sure that all the electrics/electronics are powered by the tank main battery via the connection leads. Cheers hope this helps. Ps Im in the UK so wouldnt know of a service centre in North Cali

[rchan10]

Hi Billpe,

Do you have their contact number or email address? I send an email to them 3 days ago, they have no reply. I hope i can have an answer in few days, if I cannot fix it in US, my wife will bring it to HongKong for repairing, there has many RC and Model kit shop. Thanks
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

[billpe]

Are you in the US or UK? If you're in the US then I'd sign up to http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/ and ask there what the best course of action is. If you're in the UK the contact is here: http://www.tamiya.com/europe/euro.htm. They should be able to test the item for you but you'll need to send it to them.