Mick's Panther A

[Steve Norris]

Mick
The Panther is looking good, it's always gives me a sense of satisfaction the first time the tracks are fitted and you have a rolling chassis - cannot help pushing it back and forwards and listening to the sound of the tracks clicking and sqeaking
Regards
Steve.

[Paul Wills]

Hi Mick,

Your Panther is coming on nicely. I always have a, to do list with all my builds and it always grows too big when you see what others are doing.

Paul.

[michael hilton]

Hello Steve and Paul, thank you for your comments. The tracks are definitely coming off, the weathering has not worked. You are correct about having so much to do Paul.....As a change of direction and interest I have laid out the electrics ready for the bench test. I quite enjoy this part of the build however, I usually get it wrong. I know that when you first hear the 'sounds' engine start up, main gun etc, your heart soars ......Mick

[Dennis Jones]

I'm here if you need help Mick.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Thank you Dennis I will take you up on that.....I can never assign channels properly. I followed a utube video and now have both sticks to self centre, on my Spektrum Dx6.
So, the plan is to assign the track drive motors to be controlled on the two sticks, forward and reverse......reference my 'Comet' close call, do not want to go through that again)
Then assign a three way switch, probably 'B' to control the sounds. Not sure how I control the recoil/sound/flash.
The turret turn, raising and lowering the main gun, again allocated on the sticks, left and right. I would also like to be able to switch the front/rear lights on using the radio and an electronic switch. I will be taking the plunge in a day or two, a few domestic problems to iron out first.....thanks again for the offer Dennis.....Mick

[michael hilton]

Made a tentative start, 'into the west', or rather into the unknown. All those wires..... just kidding, I do enjoy this part of the build....as long as the desk doesn't suddenly start up.....following the instructions to the letter.....Mick

[Stephen White]

Mick, to supplement the instructions, there are Knowledge Base Topics to help you. You might not need the ones on fitting an encoder or setting up for one stick driving (recommended) but the ones on teaching the sound card and setting up recoil will be relevant.

Good luck.

Stephen

[michael hilton]

Thank you Stephen, just to show my ignorance......I have never been able to locate some of the knowledge base topics. For example, I often search and get this message 'no post exists in this time frame' ? How do I find and display all posts.....Mick.

[Phil Woollard]

Hi Mick, how many channels do you have on the TX? I use the Spektrum 6 and the Futaba 7c, You may not have enough channels to do all you want, and as the boss pointed out with the encoder topic, this may be worth installing if you dont have a spare 3 position channel, I prefer a two stick method of driving (it suits scale driving techniques for realism in my opinion) but requires the left and right sticks, use the gear channel to switch the lights as is not proportionate, just on or off, that gets that out the way.....Phil.

[Armortek]

Mick, Phil makes a good point about fitting an encoder. It's by far the easiest way to control the sounds and fitting one is not hard at all. It requires one simple piece of soldering. There is a full Knowledge Base topic which describes how to do it (see below).

No point in getting into a debate about single v two stick control, it's entirely a matter of personal preference. Single stick is popular because it doesn't require you to co-ordinate two hands. The driving is entirely done with one hand, leaving the other to control sounds, turret etc. Some would say it's easier and maybe safer to use.

I'm puzzled by your comments on access to the Knowledge Base. It's designed to be easy to use.

- Click on Knowledge Base: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewforum.php?f=32


- Then click on Knowledge Base Announcements: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewforum.php?f=35

- That will give you access to "How to find what you're looking for" which describes the difference between Basic and Advanced topics. You can then go to the lists of topics, which are in alphabetical order.

- Basic Topics are listed here: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =35&t=5823

- Advanced Topics are listed here: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =35&t=5823

- Click on the link to the Topic of your choice.

- Or you can go direct to the Topic section and select your topic: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewforum.php?f=34


- Discussions are here: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewforum.php?f=33


The ones that are relevant to setting up the electrics:

- Radio systems: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =34&t=6139

- Sound card setup: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =34&t=5809

- One stick driving: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =34&t=5801

- Fitting an encoder - Spectrum: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =34&t=5800

- Fitting an encoder - Futaba: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =34&t=5799

- Failsafe - setting up Spectrum radios: http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =34&t=5795

- Failsafe (Futaba systems): http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =34&t=5794

Hope that helps:

Stephen

[michael hilton]

Thank you Phil and Stephen, Armortek. When I search the 'knowledge base', I get the message no topics exist for the time frame selected.
Please excuse me while I have a 'rant' . I have now blown 'three 5amp fuses' while trying to set up the motion pack....
I had the motors working without a hitch. I am trying to set/test the elevation motor, connect motor, connect radio lead, switch on Tx, switch on remote...fuse blows?????
Dennis, I would appreciate a phone call, my old age is really beginning to show.....Mick

[Armortek]

Mick, perhaps don't use Search. Just click on the links I provided. You should then get the topics. Stephen.

[michael hilton]

Thanks Stephen. will give it a try....I removed the blown fuse, motors working fine, replaced fuse....switched on remote....fuse blows.... Mick
Don't want to hog the Forum, I will wait for Dennis to call....

[Dennis Jones]

Armortek and others,

Please note I don't think you can fit an encoder switch on a Spektrum DX6 as there is not a spare prop channel. I will phone this evening Mick.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Thank you Dennis, I will be quite happy with a three way switch for the sounds. I had my Comet and Jagdpanther set up using the three position switch on the top left hand side of the Tx. I look forward to your call.
I have a feeling that I may not have set up the self centering correctly on the Tx. It was after I plugged in the elevator to receiver cable...and then moved the Tx stick...that the 5amp fuse flashed/cracked....oops.....
I have been busy checking all the connections are in the right order....I will now leave well alone... Mick