Mick's Panther A

[Adrian Harris]

I thought it was the Futaba 6EX which didn't have a spare proportional channel

All the new Spektrums, except the DXe type, seem to allow any switch to be reprogrammed.

If you roll the thumbwheel back one click, you get a display of the channels in action, so you can see how each switch/stick affects the outputs.

Adrian.

[michael hilton]

Hello Adrian and thank you for your comments. There should be enough switches on my DX6, two way and three way to provide all I need, thanks again.
Hello Dennis, thank you for the telephone call and your expertise. I think we covered everything.
I have now tested the Elevation and Turret motors separately, 24volts. Both motors run smoothly and without problems. Both main motors operate as they should. Beyond that, and as I explained and demonstrated last evening the 5amp fuse continues to 'blow' as soon as I press the Remote button to activate the Motion Control Module. I will contact Armortek this morning for further advice....Mick

[Adrian Harris]

In the manual (page 3), it says "Both speed control channels are limited to 60amps via pulse monitoring. One channel (output 3 on the module) can be switched to limit to 5amps"

Later (page 4) it says "A set of four DIP switches are provided, two of which are active. Switch 4 selects either 5amp or 60amp current limiting on motor speed control channel 3"

If you are blowing the 5A fuse, I would guess you have Switch 4 in the wrong position.

Try changing it from how ever it is set now to the opposing setting and see if this cures your fuse blowing problems.

Adrian.

[michael hilton]

Thanks Adrian, I will try moving the number 4 dip switch, I am on my 'sixth' 5amp fuse, they ain't cheap .
All of the dip switches are set the same....as I received the Motion Unit I don't mess .....Mick

[Adrian Harris]

At least if you know the 5A fuse is related to speed control channel 3, that narrows down where the problem could lie.

Try disconnecting the yellow/blue wires from that end of the Motion Control Module before you switch it on. If the fuse still blows, you have a faulty module.

Adrian.

[michael hilton]

Hello Adrian, I have disconnected the right drive motor....the fuse does not blow....I will now move the number four dip switch....and reconnect.
Reconnected the drive motors....have switched on...the fuse is still 'intact'. I will now reconnect the Audio, loom. elevation motor and turret motor....
I have switched the remote on....fuse still 'intact'.....so Adrian, it looks like the answer is in the 'Dip switches'....I still have to allocate the appropriate radio channels.....Dennis has offered to help with this. I am reliably informed to stop playing 'tanks' it's time to go shopping
Most grateful for your advice Adrian.....regards Mick

[Adrian Harris]

> I am reliably informed to stop playing 'tanks' it's time to go shopping

"Rain stops play"

Glad we've stopped these fuse blowing

Adrian.

[Armortek]

Hello Mick/Adrian

The 5 amp fuse is protection for the auxiliary circuits. That means that it is only connected to the elevation motor and turret turn motor outputs and the supply going to the audio and smoke units. Changing the DIP switches will have no effect at all on these circuits. The fuse blowing like that, indicates a dead short somewhere in the supply to those auxiliaries.

Mark

[Adrian Harris]

> The 5 amp fuse is protection for the auxiliary circuits.

So outputs Switched 1 & 2 ?

The Auxiliary outputs are listed as 10A each.

Adrian.

[Dennis Jones]

Yes Adrian the 5 amp fuse just protects the aux outputs 1 and 2. The problem Mick has is that without anything connected to the aux outputs the 5 amp fuse still blows but the speed control for the track motors work ok. Problem in the module I think. The 10 amp fuses and supplies are for the 2 x 24volt outputs on the rear of the module that supply the smoker, sound module and turret motor speed controller.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Hello everyone, thank you all for your input, it is appreciated. I have spoken to Monique, it is agreed that I send the Motion Control Module to Armortek. They can quickly test for any problems.
It may be the circuit board it could just as easily be my installation. I was just getting more and more confused, dot com.
Thanks again for all your input....Mick

This has already cost me 'dinner out'.../.

[michael hilton]

Hello everyone, Dave, for my Quad cable, I used some 'cord' left over from my model boat days....1/8 dia, painted with dark grey metallic car paint. Just a thought.....re-painted the Panther tracks.....with my own version of weathering....rattle can style.....Mick

[michael hilton]

Well the Bank holiday is upon us...no rest for myself, due to the lull in bench testing, I have been directed towards the 'decorating'.... Managed to sneak into the tank workshop, started to assemble the Panther 'front' details....Mick

[michael hilton]

Good morning each, to continue.....my Motion Control Module has returned, Armortek having weaved it's magic. I have made a start, slowly and with much thought, connecting the various units, batteries, motors, modules, etc,....for, 'The Bench Assembly'....absolutely essential prior to installation in the Panther.
I have still to plug in the radio leads to the receiver,using the 'System Configuration' advice for Spektrum trannsmitters, twin stick operation. I have four leads on my Audio Module.
Question, concerning where to connect the radio leads which run from the Audio Module....Input 1, Output 1, Input 2, Output 2,. Do I only use Output 1 and Output 2
I have only two spare radio sockets on the Motion Control Module....Mick

[michael hilton]

Attaching a bench assembly layout, photograph. ....Mick