Controling Tiger 1

[Terry Godwin]

I powered up mmy Tiger 1 Late and almost had a disaster. I was using the recommended Fuitaba 7C with the left track controlled by the left (Throttle) stick and the right track conttrolled by the Right stick (Elevator). I found it very dificult to conmtrol the tank. it was way too fast and the sligest stick motion on either side caused immediate and verey rapid motion. It was almost impossible to sync the two sticks so as to acheive stgraight tgracking.

I let the tank set for several months and consulted with my friends in the aviation radio control hobby. The result was changing the method of control and controller. I am now using a Hitec Aurora 9 transmitter on 2.4 Ghz. Using the elevon mixing function I now control the tank using just the right hand stick. This results in smooth and strqaight tracking and smooth turns. By installing expontial I have a very flat ramp up of speed which gives very fine and smooth slow speed operation. This also allows me to limit the top sped to a more scale and less scary effect.

This frees the left stick for control of train and elevation. So far I have not seen any negatives in iusing thuis method. I was uncomfortable from the start controlling the track motion uising two separate sticks. I don't know if this is a standard that is used in tanks but I foun d control using one stick much smoother and requires a great deal less experience and practice.

I wonder if anyone else has tried this method or knows something I am overlooking that will cause me problems.

[Tim Bowman]

Hi Terry

I use Futaba (both 6EX and 7C) for all my tanks on two sticks with very good control. It sounds like maybe your radio was programmed in such a way that it was either 'on' or 'off', speed-wise. You should be able to go from zero to full speed with infinite speed control between the two. From super slow crawl to full speed.

I tried single stick control on one but was not as comfortable with it in regard to controlling the tank. Probably just me though.

Glad you have it all squared away now and hope you are enjoying your Tiger.

Merry Christmas
Tim

[John Fitzsimons]

Heard some good reports on the aurora. I use the futaba 7c at present and can report very precise control over movement. I was a bit nervous about the two stick control at first but now prefer it. I got used to driving smaller tanks on just one stick. I think two stick works better on the large scale. One thing with the futaba, you need to fit a centring spring to the left stick. I believe the aurora can switch over to spring centring without any additional parts. Glad you got everything working in the end.

[Maarten Schutjes]

Great you can enjoy driving your tank without any fear of losing control.
For my Panther, I use the Futaba 7c in one stick mode (elevon) and exponential speed. Works very smooth. It can almost do pirouettes just like a ballerina . Both sticks have a centring spring. It makes controlling even easier. Trimming the channels for straight driving was the most time consuming part of the setup.

No broken tracklinks, pins or slacked tracks yet.

And one hand free to control the turret stick and the switches.

[Dennis Jones]

Hi Terry,

I have built 3 Amortek tanks and have always used single stick to control them. I find it is smoother and that it frees up the left hand stick for turret and barrel control. I also set up the rate switch so I can use finer control for getting it in and out of the car on the ramps. I have just gone over to a Spektrum radio control system the one advantage amongst many others is that failsafe works on all channels so if you lose signal etc the tank just stops dead, this is important for me as I do a lot of demos at shows with the public around. The problem with the Futaba system is that the failsafe only works on channel 3 so if you use single stick then not a lot of use and even if using twin sticks then the tank just goes round in circles.
If your Hi Tech system has the full failsafe facility I would strongly suggest you set it up.

Dennis.

[Christoffer Ahlfors]

Strange with the excessive speed. When I run mine (2010 vintage) at full throttle, it looks very much like the scale 40 km/h or so that the prototype would run at. I started out with two stick control as well but, like you, found that driving straight was a challenge and that there always was a need for more hands. I now use single stick control and, although that too has its drawbacks, I have learned to cope with them and to become reasonably proficient controlling the tank in precise maneuvers. It does strain the right hand/arm, though, and a "tennis elbow" might well be a future consequence. Currently, I am looking into transmitter carrying gear to take some load off the right arm. Ideally, I would like to switch between one and two stick control with the flip of a switch, using two stick for precision maneuvers like backing into the car. Making just one track go backwards slightly for instance is quite difficult with one stick control.

Good luck with your tiger! Once you get it set up right, there is no end to the fun!

Cheers,
/Chris

[Andrea Daviero]

I also use only one stick with a mix of throttle and ailerons.
What is strange is that your friend was unable to set the futaba radio to control the tank.
However, armortek vehicles are powered by 4qd speed controllers wich have an integrated mixing mode to let you use only one stick on your radio. All can be set with a jumper, then you can drive it with a simple radio.
I always use one stick for driving and steering, is simple and it will let you have a free hand.

[Armortek]

Hi all

Just to avoid confusion, Armortek tanks have not used 4QD speed controllers for several years now. All model since have been supplied with Armortek's own design, digital speed controller. Both types can be driven equally well on dual stick or single stick mode. It is just a matter of personal preference.

Mark

[Andrea Daviero]

Thanks Mark, I have the 4qd on the sdkfz7 so I was thinking you were still using it. Sorry

[michael hilton]

Hello, I prefer two stick control....having come very close to driving the Comet off the dinning room table......when I panicked.....you only do this once. It's like giving your heart a jump start Mick

[Garry Coomber]

Here is something for consideration. It depends if you have Armortek spec 4QD's or not. It is easy enough to tell, The Armortek spec ones have the ACC and DEC VR's replaced with a fixed resistor. These work beautifully and the tank is a joy to drive. However if you have standard 4QD's which have the VR's and set to the centre position or you have tried to set the ACC and DEC to the, this may be the answer. I had one controller that work beautifully and the other was virtually uncontrolable. Just out of interest I swapped the ones that came with my Pz III into my tiger and bingo, perfect.

I mailed 4QD and asked what the difference was and the answer was very short and concise. Set the ACC and DEC to near enough minimum and the gain to nearly max. Tried that and it worked a treat. Interestingly enough, my interpretation of the 4QD maunal suggest that the setup that works best is incorrect.

I use Futaba FF9 with 2.4 conversion, and a few other mods, nothing that affects it's function.