RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Ok, here's the story. I bought a used tauchpanzer with metal tracks upgraded gearboxes (black steel gears stock ratio), and no electronics.
I installed all electronics brand new, asiatam lower hull, and used the rx18 board. The trouble is the tank pulls to the right. I have the trim adjusted full left. If I move the trim towards center you can hear the motor trying to engage. I have since tried each electronic component from a working tank, as well as the transmitter and different crystals. Same problem. I then checked the gearboxes which are smooth as silk. Checked for binding i the idlers and road wheels and they are all fine. I am lost here. I then replaced the gearboxes with a stock set and the same problem. Is there anyone out there who can offer some help?

Hello Yellowshaker,from the list you presented all components have been replaced and the same problem continues.I noticed in your list the motors were not mentioned? So have you used the same motors with the different gear boxes?and are you sure the pinion gear is not binding,they are the same gear on both motors? And lastly could one motor have weak brushes? Just a few idea's,hope it helps.Seems like you have a ghost in the machine. Blake

Hey Saxondog!! I forgot to mention the I actually changed out the motors and then the gearboxes and then a new set of both motor/gearboxes. I just took this thing aprat again and ran through it and found absolutely nothing binding. All the teeth are correct and the boxes free spin without the motors. Here is the strange thing. I took the tracks off and pushed the tank along the floor. It rolled about 20 feet perfectly straight. The part I don't understand is while it pulls to the right going forward, it pulls to the left going backwards. This is insane. As an autmotive technician and electrical specialist I can honestly say this is going to be the one to drive me to drink lol. HELP!!!!

Sounds like a track tensioner binding.We know it a right side(radio operator side) problem. Since you have experience with electronics could it be a connector pin,pinched wire,wire grounding on motor case.Just throwing idea's at you.It is very odd,but it has to be something on the RO side,Try this switch the feed wires where they plug into the RX18 unit.this will reverse the controls but it will eliminate or verify a wiring issue,follow me.If the problem changes sides you have a electrical problem.If it still pulls to the same side it's got to be mechanical.

I tried reversing the leads too. It still pulls to the right. So this makes you feel that it's mechanical for sure? It isn't strange that the trims have to be full left for the motors not to start engaging? Well, I will work on the track alignment some more ad see where it takes me...This is truly crazy.

That would imply the RX18 is working properly.could still be electrical.But only the Motor.The problem can't be the motor Leeds,or the problem would of traded sides.The motor could still be at fault.But it seems like it is a mechanical issue?

Do you have another transmitter? Try using it to eliminate that issue,the trim controls could be at fault.It's worth a try.

Tried my transmitter form the Tiger along with the crystals. That tank works perfectly and the trims are set dead center. Man, this makes no sense. I wouldn't care if I didn't have so much money in this thing.

Did you change the receiver (not the rx18) the little board with the 3 wire plug and antenna lead. If Motors, gearbxs, tracks, wheels tensioners, rx18, wiring and transmttr are OK, this is the only thing left....may be sending the wrong signal to the rx18..

Check the tracks have the same number of links - sometimes they miss one...