Tamiya Tiger 1 electronics problems

[tricktank]

Hi Everyone
I wonder if i may pick your expert brains on a problem that is beginning to grind my gears somewhat!
I've been working on and off on a Tamiya Tiger 1 (converting it to a late version). All was going well until I got to stage of putting the electronics together. I've managed to get the tank moving absolutely fine, after some trawling on the internet I managed to get the turret moving fine (after gluing the clutch gear), my problem is with the gun recoil, gun flash and speaker sound none of which seem to work. I've replaced all these units and the multi function unit and still no joy! I've dismantled everything and carefully gone through the Tamiya instructions step by step and still this tiger refuses to roar. Am I missing something fundamental? Do I need to replace the DMD control unit or comms cable?
This build is proving very expensive now and any help would be gratefully received. I consider myself quite a competent modeller but perhaps not so experienced with the electronics and therefore your help would be much appreciated.
I attach a pic of the offending big cat.

Thanks
Paul

[caddyshack]

my problem is with the gun recoil, gun flash and speaker sound none of which seem to work

Hi TT.
The quote section i have used left me thinking, does he meen the tx to reciver or the units that are not working. It its Tx to reciver pm me and i will take you through it.
As for the recoil you can do a quick test by changing its ports. As for the sound etc, i would test the comms cable,i would do a continuity test. See how that pans out 1st.
All the best with your tiger. hope its all up and running soon.

[r32]

I managed to get the turret moving fine (after gluing the clutch gear), my problem is with the gun recoil, gun flash and speaker sound none of which seem to work. I've replaced all these units and the multi function unit and still no joy! I've dismantled everything and carefully gone through the Tamiya instructions step by step and still this tiger refuses to roar. Am I missing something fundamental? Do I need to replace the DMD control unit or comms cable?

I had a problem like that once when I installed the wiring wrong after stripping down my Tiger. You will want to check one more time that your plugs are installed in the correct sockets in the DMD/MFU units. In my case, I had installed my recoil motor plug into the battle unit socket which resulted in non-operation. You might want to bypass your MFU module and wire up your turret traverse, barrel elevation motors direct to the DMD unit.

[tricktank]

HI Guys
Thanks for getting back to me.
The problem lies either with the DMD Control unit T03, the comms cable between this unit and the Multifunction unit, or the signal to the DMD control unit (T03). I can't see how you can install the plugs incorrectly as they each have unique fittings that only fir one corresponding plug.
I've purchased brand new speaker box, recoil unit and flash unit + a brand new multifunction unit (MF01) so I think I can rule these components out. The problem seems to lie with either the T03 unit or the comms cable. Or, is there a particular order these components need to be put together. Or is it a problem with the receiver? Thing is, I can control the tank (albeit I did need to reverse a servo) and the turret moves around and the main gun goes up and down. It's simply that the recoil and flash don't work and there's no sound.

Sorry Caddyshack I don't know what Tx means? I'm a little new to this! Also, what's the continuity test? Is it the switch in the Multifunction unit that ,when thrown, goes through each component in turn? If it is this doesn't work either.

I'm beginning to think that the Tamiya instructions are wrong as the servo set up seems to be wrong. If you set up as the instructions the tank will not drive as described in the back of the book.

Any advice for a total novice would again be gratefully received.

Thanks

paul

[caddyshack]

Hi TT.

Sorry i didn't make myself very clear to you. The test i was talking about was for the comms cable. If you have a multi meter you can use this ..if not a battery some wire and a bulb will all so work. It tests each wire in your comms cable looking for any breaks that might be in the group of wires. When you have looked over them all , and they all pass then the cable is good to go.
Tx= your hand set , transmitter.

I'm beginning to think that the Tamiya instructions are wrong as the servo set up seems to be wrong. If you set up as the instructions the tank will not drive as described in the back of the book.

Thats because tamiya uses that TX photo'ed that doesn't come with the kit. Each brand of reciver will wire up differently. Just refer to your Tx users manual to where to plug all your bits into.

Edit.
forgot to say..when you change any thing on your reciver. reset the dmd other wise it will not see the changes you have just made.

[tricktank]

Thanks Caddyshack
I'll go get myself a multimeter.
This all does strike me as a bit more complex than the simple plug-and-go philosophy purported in the Tamiya instructions. Maybe I just got a duff set of electronics?

The receiver I'm using is the Futaba 4YF Sport 2.4Ghz. My brother-in-law recommended it and I don't think that is the problem. I think this is just one of those diagnostic problems in which I'll just have to go through everything individually until I get to the bottom of it.
It will work... eventually!
Cheers

Paul