SdKfz 251 build

[Dennis Jones]

I have always used batteries from http://www.componentshop.co.uk/ all sizes voltages and current and cheaper than hardware express. 12 volt 9 amp/hour for about £14 each plus p+p. A friend of mine brought his sound unit over yesterday and I was a bit disappointed with the size of the speaker and where to put it. He has gone off to try and squeeze it in in place of one of the batteries under the bonnet and put that battery in place of the smoker up the front. The only other option is in the cargo bay but how you would disguise it I am not sure. Also we removed part of the big shaft at the rear in order to get the 2 modules in end to end with the speed controller in the front and the amp at the rear, we had to remove part of the shaft in order to get the sound unit under the floor.
With using cable ties around the torsion bars to hold the speed controller in place and making up an aluminium plate to hold the sound unit at the same level at the rear. Only my ideas I may add.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Hello Dennis, thank you for your advice. I have found that with a little ingenuity these option pack modules can be rearranged to suit the space available. I will post photo's when they are sorted, thanks again though. I ordered the batteries you recommended.

I have just had a quick try out with the module between the suspension, my first thoughts would be to raise the rear floor a little, plenty to think about....loving it, Mick

[Dennis Jones]

Some photos of the electronics installation on my friends 251. As you can see we removed the shaft at the back and put a plate in to mount the sound unit on. I installed a 24 volt relay with diode on to one of the aux switched outputs to control the smoker from the transmitter. We managed to get the speaker in, in place of the smoker and the smoker is now in the middle of the two batteries. Access to the volume control is at the rear using this method. We did a test run of all functions and he has now gone off to tidy it all up. This may help other builders.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Hello Dennis, thanks for the information, lots of ideas there.

Now, I have the Sprektrum DX6 Tx with matching Rx and the all new Motion Control Module with Audio Module. I am going through the 'setup' process. I have made all the connections as described in the manual. I have 'binded' the Tx to the Rx, and set the single motor to run on the right-hand control stick, channel 4 forward/reverse. All ok, no probs....

Now as usual I am in my durrr mode, or, what am I not doing right. I am setting up the sounds system. I have connected all connections as the diagrams show. Ok so far, all control sticks set to neutral. Removed cover from Audio Module, set volume to low, press programme button on Audio Module, one beep heard.
From now on having moved all the various switches I am unable to programme the motor sound, or hear any other sounds....I have assumed that the toggle switch mentioned in the setup is one of the 'three way' switches. Simple is as simple does....all advice gratefully received, otherwise I'm going back to bed...Mick

[Dennis Jones]

Hi Mick,

If you like would you be prepared to email your phone number to me and I will phone you and guide you through it on the phone it might be easier than doing it through script. My email address is djones49@talktalk.net.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Made a start on the bench assembly layout, as instructed. With the help of Forum member 'Dennis' who is talking me through the 'setup' I am making progress.
Over the next few days we ( that's the Royal we ) will have cracked it. Then it will be down to arranging the layout. The engine sounds are great, can't wait to turn the volume up. Dennis, thank you for your assistance....Mick

[Dennis Jones]

Hi Mick,

We got there in the end, good to chat my pleasure.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Hello Dennis, an update on the 'sounds' front. My extension leads arrived this morning. I read and re-read the audio/motion instructions, I spotted where I was going wrong.....then gave it my best shot.....I now have engine sounds plus forward/reverse on he right hand joystick. The engine sounds start up by moving the joystick forward slightly. Shutdown after twenty seconds if no further action is taken.....
On the left hand joystick I have left/right movement on the steering servo....So, this is the result I had hoped for....as you may recall I am not planning on using the M/G or voice sounds....I can of course reverse these movements when I have fitted the motor/servo, if required.
If anyone spots a problem with the above wiring layout....I am sure they will advise me accordingly. All good, thanks again Dennis for your help.

[Dennis Jones]

Hi Mick,

If you are going to stay with Autostart then you don't need the cable from RC3 to the receiver. You will only need that connection if you are going to select sounds from the transmitter. Also Mick when you fit the steering servo and linkages you may need to cut down the amount of throw using the end points adjustment on the transmitter, any probs let me know.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Hello Dennis, thank you for your reply. Ok on the RC3 lead, I really should have realised I needed a RC loop back, confusion reigns in my old head .
I am pleased with the Autostart system as you know, I have made the momentous decision to install the 'searchlight' and keep the neighbours awake scanning the night sky....only joking. I can now settle down with the building....best wishes and thanks for the offer of any further help....where would I be without the Armortek Forum .....Mick

[Armortek]

Hi All

The set-up of the sound card and the new Audio module that is being discussed here by Dennis and Mick does work, but it will only provide access to some of the features available on the new system, and it requires the users to modify the parameters on the sound card. It is not the way that we at Armortek would recommend and not the way we try to describe in the instructions. We do understand that setting up this sound card is not easy to understand and we are limited by the requirements of the Benedini system in making it simpler. We would advise builders to try and stick to the recommended method, so that we are all doing the same thing. It makes diagnosing any issues so much easier.

Mark

[michael hilton]

Hello Mark, thank you for your advice. I have cleared my workbench in order to fit the motor and steering servo. I will as suggested, try a re-run setting up the full available 'sounds' when the motor is installed. I was confused by the 'which lead goes where' as I followed the photograph layout with my magnifier. I think I had the RC and servo leads the wrong way around. Anyway, it's all coming to together, and nothing is fixed permanently yet....Mick

[michael hilton]

Morning All, I am about to fit the 251 drive motor and grease the gears, a nice relaxing Saturday morning....now, when fitting the Savox servo are the rubber grommets used or, is the servo fitted without grommets??.....I would rather not guess and I can't find a useful photograph.....Mick
Opps....have just been commanded to get my shoes on and go shopping....oh well a quiet life for me....

[Dennis Jones]

Hi Mick,

I haven't used rubber grommets.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Hello Dennis, thank you for your reply.....the servo does look out of line with the rubber grommets fitted....I will take them out.
Now, how a good day can easily turn into a bad day. While fitting the motor gear CM0601 to the main drive motor...I somehow managed to strip the short thread in the motor gear, ( I think I cross threaded it) there are only about two or three cut threads in the motor gear shaft, which locks the motor gear onto the main motor shaft by a M4x5 grub screw
I decided to re-tap the M4 up to M5, fitting an M5x5 grub screw. Just a thought for the other 251 builders....happy days.....Mick