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Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:34 pm
by panzernut
Hi everyone. I'm pretty new to RC tanks and have a problem, hopefully, you can help me with. I was running my Taigen Tiger 1 today and after a few minutes, no smoke. I added some smoke fluid and still no smoke. At the same time, when I stopped the tank, the motor sound was still running like the tank was in motion. I changed the battery and still the same. I removed the top and turned on the tank again. The smoke pump was running full bore, no smoke and the sound was as if the tank was rolling. Any suggestions on what it might be? Thanks in advance for your help.

Jack

Re: Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:47 pm
by salemsam
Sounds like you have Gremlins :-). Hope you get your answer - I have been looking at buying one myself. hello fellow Ohioan - Did you get your from the UK?

Re: Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:59 pm
by panzernut
Hi as well. I bought mine off Ebay from Mideatoys. $279.99 with free shipping. They usually have 2-3 on all the time. Metal tracks, and all metal wheels,metal gear box, etc. very nice tank, very heavy. I do think I'll upgrade the gear box to 3:1 with 400 motors from Phil at RCtankwars.com. Mideatoys was fast on shipping as well. You'd like this Tiger ! Do you know of any RC tank battle fields in our area? I'd like to get one started if there is enough interest. I have a Jagdpanther coming from Phil that will be converted to use my DX7 and want to use it more than driving around the yard!

Take care,

Jack

Re: Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:04 pm
by Tankbear
Hi Panzernut.

The smokers do have a reputation of failing, if you say the pump is working but no smoke it does sound like it has failed, generally it is the heater element snaps with the heat and vibration.

Couple of options first is try a repair, next a replacement, third is repair/upgrade the smoker (lots on that elsewhere).

The sound I suggest double checking all the plugs are connected properly.

Ian.

Re: Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:08 pm
by Tankbear
3:1 gearboxes are a great upgrade. Makes the tank slower but loads more power and torque which will help with the heavy tank.

Re: Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 11:18 pm
by panzernut
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll tear apart the smoker and check it. Also, I'll make sure the sound plugs are in tight. Any suggestions on where to get a better smoke unit?

Re: Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 11:32 pm
by Tankbear
To be honest there isn't any better ones, even the third party versions use the same design. A common upgrade is replace the heater wire with a 15ohm resistor (wire wound) as this is more durable but takes longer to heat up.

Ian.

Re: Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:51 am
by panzernut
Ian,

Got the smoker working again. It seems the inlets might have been plugged. I took it apart and the element looked good. I still can't figure out why the driving sounds are on while the tank is not moving. I checked all the sound connections and it still sounds like it's running while it's stopped. After I run it a little, the sounds goes to idle when stopped! I'm at a loss.

Jack

Re: Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:15 am
by Reaper332
Hi Jack, Not sure if this is the same problem but I have noticed on occassions with my H/L's the trims on the Right stick sometimes I need to just move them slightly and it comes back to idle even though the tank is not moving its almost like they are a bit sensitive.
Hope this helps
Ken

Re: Taigen Tiger 1 smoking/sound problem.

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:24 am
by Tankbear
Good point Ken, one of my cotrollers does the same but I stopped using that one as the trim ws on full adjust. But that does make sense the if the controller is sending a move forward/backward signal but not eough for the tank to drive it still will make the noise.

Ian.