My 1/16 Tanks and some advice needed please!

[Zenton]

Hi

I'm very new to RC tanks but have quickly acquired two, both Heng Long (although the box on the Panzer says Torro?), a Panzer G with IR and a Snow Leopard M26 both are the smoke and sound versions.



I hope you dont mind me asking a couple of questions which might seem very basic but you all seem a nice and friendly bunch so here goes!

Now the Panzer G has upgraded tracks and a metal gearbox and was working fine until Sunday until it conked out and died. I've checked and made sure the ariel and its screwed in, the tank and the batteries are fully charged. I guess I'm going to have to open it up and check to see the connections are still in place?

Is there a simple beginners guide to tank repairs that anyone can suggest or does anyone have any tips as to what I should be looking for?

I've only recently had a go with the M26 and I've noticed that the barrel elevation works alot better than the Panzer as it hardly ever moves up and down. Also when the Snow Leopard fires bbs it automaticaly makes a firiring sound and the tank jerks back. With the Panzer it doesnt do that, it just fires bbs. Is this a fault or just how this model works?

Many thanks

[sparks]

Hi Zenton,
Welcome to the forum
I only have Tamiya tanks and don't know much about Heng Long, but I'm sure you will get the answers you need soon.
Good luck with your tanks
sparks

[ruben2005]

hello mate and welcome i would suggest checking your tank battery wires that they are not kinked and bent over first then fully charge it and try this if tank doesnt start on controller check the crystals in tank underneath pull out then replace back in and do same on rc unit charge batterys in hand set and give it a go if no joy you will have to open her up there are plenty of pics and info on here to take you through it but if you have a prob just ask on the right forum hope this helps. one more thing when you put batterys in hand set do they fit tight? because if you turn the handset over if they fall out just bend a little bit the metal arms in handset out so bats are nice and snug cos i found this out when i had henglong tanks but if you do all of this then you can rule out power trouble as a cause from outside tank

[Dietrich]

Hi Zenton ,
The Panther might have a problem with its electronics board inside the tank. I Think that the Torro versions of the tanks use the 'Older-Type' of electronics boards and that they use the last 'Obsolete' version of the Heng Long electronics boards.....I ONLY think this so I am not certain....so if anyone else knows better then please say....
You will have to take the tank apart......so remove the rechargeable battery and the 'clip-on' aerial then,turn the tank upside down either resting it between your knees or on some form of padded support....Please be careful NOT to damage the gun barrel or any parts on the hull or the ring around the edge of the commanders cupola. You will need a medium sized 'Cross-head' or a 'Phillips' type screw driver. Remove all the screws that you can see in the recesses and carefully mark on a piece of paper the location of the holes that the screws came out of. I am fairly certain that they will all be the same length but I do not own a Panther, so I am not certain....
Once you have removed all the screws while holding the tank TOGETHER as one piece with your hands place it gently onto its tracks and the hull upper with the turret > Should < separate from the chassis piece with the wheels and tracks....BE VERY careful not to pull on any of the wires....as they can easily come loose sand then you will not know where they came from.
You will now either see a board like this.......which is GOOD

mfu_diag.jpg (39.74 KiB) Viewed 1034 times

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OR....Like THIS.... the old RX14 board which is not so good.....

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The top picture is a much better design as all the components simply plug into the correct place....the lower board is much harder because the parts are all SOLDERED to the board and this is a Much more difficult problem to diagnose from a 'distance'
Please let us know what type of receiver board you have...
Alb.

[Zenton]

Now the weather is improving I've dusted off my tanks and back to my troubled Panther. Thanks everyone for the detailed responses but unfortunately I'm totally hopeless with anything remotely technical

Would there be anyone I can send the tank to or can anyone suggest someone that I can send the tank to for a full service and repair.

Thanks!

[Red Devils]

Welcome to the forum Zenton, enjoy yourself...

Derek

[lister fiend]

Hi zenton
Sorry to hear of your panther woes.
Where are you located?
Maybe someone lives close & could
Have a look for you.
Alternatively there is enough information
On this forum for diy & if it has the
Newer rx18 board, even a tard like me
With no rc experience can fix it!
Cheers
Lister

[blimp]

Hi Zenton , try the 'dead' crystal using your other transmitter - that will help to find out if it is the radio or the tank that has the problem .

[Zenton]

Maybe I'll try and tackle the problem myself. Unfortunately I'm working 12 hour night shifts for the foreseeable future so finding the time is an issue. I'm in Hampshire but shall have a go tomorrow!

[Zenton]

I've opened up the Panther and It does have the newer RX18 board. I've checked the connections and all seem fine.

I think I need to look at the crystals that are inside the tanks and RC unit which was earlier suggested. I'm not entirely sure on how to do this and I have tried googling but couldn't any clear guides. Could anyone suggest any past posts that may help?

Also do you think it might be worth purchasing a new RX board without connectors to see if this would help?

Ontop of this my Pershing has just died, the lights flash and it bleeps but I'm going to concentrate on this one first!