RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hi,
Sorry guys but I'm going to pester you with more noobie questions.
Now my tiger is getting near how I want it to look I was wondering what are the most worth while upgrades. My plan is Elmod Eco system, run on 2.4 ghz with 11.1v li-po's. Retaining the HL plastic hull but out fitting it with tension adjustable idlers. Metal sprockets and idlers, with a view to getting metal tracks as and when funds allow. 3:1 metal boxes running Promax 400 motors, possibly (especially after just watching a video of a Tiger on a full speed cross country charge!) 480 motors. This set up is, minus the metal tracks, feasible finance wise. Bearing in mind that sound, smoke and flashing guns don't really float my boat does this sound like a good set-up? I've considered an Asiatam metal hull with rubber shod metal road wheels but this would push the finances and are the gains worth having? In reality I'm not sure the metal tracks are totally worth the money but I want to hear the sound they make running up my concrete garden path .
My last question is, a simple one: What markings are most suitable for an early period Tiger in panzer grey?
Thanks for the tolerance.

i think if you plan on tearing around in a heavy tank off road, and plan on getting metal tracks too then the Asiatam metal hull would be a very good idea, however you should get a second opinion on this because personally i've never had an Asiatam metal hull!

shame your not really bothered by sounds as the el-mod system offers a great opportunity for an awesome sounding (and customisable) tank!

cheers.

Hi Jackeb, :~
I just typed a long reply and have just lost it in the computer I hate it when that happens....try again.
I think that to add the extra power to a standard hull you will end up breaking it and so constantly have to repair and to reinforce it. So first and foremost...Asiatam Hull....that way you have a really solid foundation to build upon....check out Welsh dragon Models and Forgebear...both are members on the Forum.
The 400 motors will probably have the same shaft diameter as a standard Heng Long motor @ 2.3 mm BUT the 480's will probably have a thicker shaft of 3.17mm SO CHECK IT CAREFULLY( Graupner motors do, see 'Cornwall model Boats' for info and good prices )
I run 480 Graupner motors with a 12 tooth pinion gear as I could not find a 10 tooth gear anywhere of the correct pitch. The PITCH is VITAL, (I think that it is the actual angle of the teeth,) Heng Long and Tamiya use a > 46 PITCH < so only a 46 PITCH will mesh and work properly with the gears anything else will just be a waste of money.
Now for the slight problem.....if you go for the 480 motors and they have a 3.17mm shaft then you will have to use a larger diameter pinion gear, this will mean that you will have to move the electric motor on its mounting plate, to allow for the larger gear. You will therefore have to dismantle the gearbox to file a larger hole to 'swing' the gearbox away from the first gear and also to move the motor screw holes or to turn one into a slot. If you do dismantle the gearbox then do them one at a time and take plenty of photographs, as the gearboxes are mirror images and so the gears have to go back accordingly.
There is a Gearbox Calculator on the forum, here is the link....
http://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/forums/d ... ftware.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It shows a number of charts with different gearbox types. The values are actually 'alterable', so if your new motor has a maximum speed of X-rpm you can remove the current speed from the chart and input your X-rpm and it will automatically change the actual speed and the scale speed for you....It really is a cracking download !!
In my opinion your order of items to get should be....Asiatam Hull and then Metal 3-1 reduction,Gearbox, Metal Drive sprockets,Metal Tracks, You will be amazed at what the Tiger can then climb up and over as the 3-1 reduction gives even standard motors so much more torque and the 400s will be even better
The Heng Long smoke units are rubbish but the fan operated ones really are superb and it looks great to see a tank leaving a plume of smoke behind it as it speeds along....just another thought for the future.
I hope that this helps, and sorry that it got a bit long,
Alb.

Ooops I forgot to ask , does the 'Elmod Eco system, run on 2.4 ghz with 11.1v li-po's' have a 7.2 Volt power socket...because at 11.1 Volts you will fry your Heng Long cicruit boards instantly ?
Alb.

Dietrich wrote:Ooops I forgot to ask , does the 'Elmod Eco system, run on 2.4 ghz with 11.1v li-po's' have a 7.2 Volt power socket...because at 11.1 Volts you will fry your Heng Long cicruit boards instantly ?
Alb.

http://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/forums/v ... f=1&t=7663" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When you use ElMod you remove the HL electronics, it's a replacement electronics package.

Thanks for the replies. Food for thought, as they say. I must admit I didn't consider the pinion pitch problem, I've been caught out by that one on the helis. As for the Asiatam hull, it's a nice thought but quite a lot of money. Having said that I don't think it's over-priced. I won't be tearing up really rough stuff, just the lawn with little forays in to the flower (weed!) beds.
I admit the vids I've seen with the smoke do look cool, but future upgrades aren't ruled out. I've also seen that Forgebear is doing a great deal on metal tracks and sprocket/idlers at the moment so roll on pay day! I see the track tensioner as, pretty much, essential as the tracks do come off the standard running gear too easily.
Like I said food for thought indeed.