Idiots guide to adding a charging jack?

[Chef_bikes]

Hello wise and knowledgeable tankers,

I want to add a charging jack to my tanks (for arguments sake let's start with the Tamiya FO King Tiger) - what do I have to do?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Chef

[Dietrich]

Hi Chef,
Firstly I would say that you have to decide where you want the re-charging port to be. On my Tiger it is positioned under a rear deck grill that I cut out and then hinged.One side holds the on off switch and the other the re-charging port.

I have no idea if a Tamiya full Option KT comes with any openable hatches or grills but if it does then that is the place to start from. Once you have decided which grill or openable hatch to use ,then it is a simple matter of either buying a 'Y' shaped lead that has 1 male connector for the battery and 2 female connectors, one for the tank and the other for the recharger. OR of making one.
Personally I think that it is better to make one so that you can have the ON /OFF switch in the Positive lead TO the tank so that you can be absolutely certain that the tank is turned OFF and completely 'dead' before you start charging its battery ...to avoid any potential errors or mishaps!!! All you have to do is buy another FEMALE Tamiya plug with longish leads on ( Or solder on longer ones ) Then it is a simple matter of mounting the recharging connector where you want it to be, once it has been soldered onto the red and black wires.
Please make certain that it is 'Outside' of the tanks circuit so that there is no danger of a stray signal making your tank move as it gets its power from the charger, by mistake.
Alb.

[Chef_bikes]

Hello Alb,

That's a good start - many thanks. I still have some questions though:

So I need to introduce a new switch, which effectivly 'break's the battery current between the battery and the DMD unit allowing one position to be 'on' and the other 'off/charge'?

Are there any special wattage/amp rating needed for the new switch?

Do I need to do anything with the existing DMD on/off switch?

Does it make a difference if I'm using two Ni-cad packs in the tank?

I think I'm beginning to understand how it works but your answers will hopefully confirm my understanding.

Many thanks.

Chef