Tom's Pershing Build

[Tom Miller]

Hi Guys,
I received the option paks this week and have them all installed and working. Here are some pics of the layout I used. Armortek leaves it up to the builder to figure out where to mount everything so for the guys building their first tank here is what I did. Everyining is held down with velcro. 10 lb for the batteries and 5 lb for everything else. The recoil module is not shown because it will mount up inside the turret. The heavy red and black wires going over the hull at the rear are the battery charging leads accessible by the rear hatch along with the master on off and smoke switches.The only part I had to add was an 18inch long servo cable extension to get the machine gun cable to reach the receiver.

[Ray Massa]

Tom,

Nicely done! Does not look like there is much spare room in there. My option packs have been ordered and are supposed to be delivered soon.
Can you tell me what Transmitter/receiver you are using? I need to buy a new setup for this tank.
Thanks.

-Ray

[Tom Miller]

Transmitter and receiver are Spektrum. DX8 transmitter and AR8020T receiver.
It is a little tight but I put everything toward the rear so I can access everything from the hinged hatches.

[Ray Massa]

Transmitter and receiver are Spektrum. DX8 transmitter and AR8020T receiver.
It is a little tight but I put everything toward the rear so I can access everything from the hinged hatches.

Thanks Tom.

[Ray Massa]

Tom,
As I have not yet received my option packs, I don't know exactly what electrical parts come with it. You show two switches near the rear, one black and one silver.

Is one of those a master cut-off switch from the batteries to the system so that no power at all gets to anything and also to isolate the batteries during charging, and one just an on/off to the electronics during normal use?

Thanks.

-Ray

[Ray Massa]

Tom,

One more question... is anyone using a fuse on the battery to the electronics? Or is it supplied? That's a lot of potential current in those batteries. I was thinking maybe a safety fuse in one leg of the series circuit before it even gets to the Armotek modules in case the 24V from the batteries shorts accidentally.

Thanks.

[Tom Miller]

The black switch is the on/off for the smoke unit. The silver switch is the master shut off and battery isolator. No need for a fuse but redundancy is always acceptable.

[Ray Massa]

The black switch is the on/off for the smoke unit. The silver switch is the master shut off and battery isolator. No need for a fuse but redundancy is always acceptable.

Thank you.

[Ray Massa]

Tom,

One more question please, as I am preparing for the option packs to come in.
Are the two switches you mentioned supplied with the Option packs?

And is the silver switch a main power cut from the battery +24 to the Armortek system? Or is it a low voltage/current logic switch coming from the Armortek power supply main module?

And is the tank itself a common ground point or is it isolated from all electrical?

Thanks.

[Tom Miller]

Both switches come with the option paks.
I don't have an answer for the second question. You need to pose that question to Armortek.

[Ray Massa]

Both switches come with the option paks.
I don't have an answer for the second question. You need to pose that question to Armortek.

Thanks again. I did email AT, but no response yet.

[Adrian Harris]

The silver switch controls power to the coil of a relay, which itself sits between the batteries and the Power Module.

Adrian.

[Ray Massa]

The silver switch controls power to the coil of a relay, which itself sits between the batteries and the Power Module.

Adrian.

Thanks Adrian, that makes more sense to me now. That silver switch did not look like it could handle the potential current draw.

-Ray

[Tom Miller]

More Progress. The hull etc is now all painted and weathered. On to the turret..

[Ray Massa]

Tom,

Nice job on the weathering! Looks very nice. What type of paint did you use for the base coat and the weathering?

-Ray