Sound control

[mick whittingham]

Hi all,

I have assembled the option packs on the bench as per the instructions and everything seems to work fine.

I am finding the control of the optional sounds a bit tricky, is it just me?

I get the engine start with the E switch forward then to the centre. The engine revs with inputs from each stick.

But its the extra sound business that confuses. How many sounds are there? What is the correct order? Two clicks and three clicks only seem to make an engine sound change, is this for the turret/gun movement? Is there a sound operated by the sticks for turret and gun traverse?

I am getting the hang of clicking for the different sound outputs but just wondered if there was anyone with definitive info or if I have made a mess of the programming and that's why I have problems with number two and three.

It is late and I am tired so it might be I am not making sense, or indeed understanding the issue clearly. Please let me know if you have any assistance to offer.


best regards mick

[Adrian Harris]

Mick.

Which model are you trying to set up ?

If you're using the stick waggling mode, where you pull it down to select the sound and push it forwards to play the sound, have you set up the Benedini sound card ?

From Thomas's instructions:

1) Switch on transmitter and model. The Sound Module will flash three times.
2) Set all joysticks to neutral positions, so that the model does not move!
4. Push the programming button. The LED on the module flashes 3 times.
After this all available sounds will be played once automatically, according
the list of sounds delivered with each unit. Storage is done automatically.
5. LED starts permanently flashing. This indicates the end of the sound list.
6. Switch receiver off and on.

Step 4 will take you through all the sounds on the card. Some have speech, others have whirrs etc for turret rotation or gun elevation.

Once the sound card has programmed itself, you select the sound by pushing/pulling the switch a set number of times, then pulling/pushing it in the opposite direction to play the sound.

Adrian

[mick whittingham]

Hi Adrian,

yes I programmed the sound card as per instructions and all went well. As I said I am not sure if the turret and elevation sounds should activate with the controls for those functions or if I need to operate the sound switch at the same time I operate the turret/gun control.

I have seen that clever folk have changed the transmitter controls to make the sound easier to operate but I am not wanting to go to that length with a new tranny.

I have also seen a thread regarding one stick throttle control, not sure what that would do for controlling the Cent or indeed if it can be done, but I might like to try it.

I also want to find out about spring loading the left hand stick to self centre like the right hand one does, to make driving easier, would the single stick set up make this unnecessary?

Sorry to harp on but this stuff confuses the life out of me at the moment.

Regards, Mick

[Adrian Harris]

Mick

> if the turret and elevation sounds should activate with the controls for those
> functions or if I need to operate the sound switch at the same time I operate the
> turret/gun control.

With the standard Armortek set-up, there is no link between the sounds for the turret rotation and the actual turret rotation, so you would need to operate the transmitter controls yourself simultaneously.

Regarding single stick operation, have a look for threads discussing "mixing". I find the single stick operation more difficult than dual stick, but Mark has all the demonstrator models configured that way and seems to be able to make them do anything he wants with ease.

> I also want to find out about spring loading the left hand stick

Which transmitter do you have ?

Futaba Spring Return Kit 6EX/6JG/4YF - Part No: Y-MA8053
http://www2.ripmax.net/Item.aspx?ItemID=Y-MA8053

Futaba Spring Return Kit 7C/8J/10C/8FG/14SG - Part No: Y-MA8036
http://www2.ripmax.net/Item.aspx?ItemID=Y-MA8036

Both appear to be £2.99 from Ripmax. Other RC dealers sell them, and I believe Lee Sellars here may also keep a stock of them.

They're pretty easy to fit, if a little fiddly to get the spring attached at each end.
I've added this mod to all my transmitters, as I prefer dual stick driving.

Adrian.

[Malcolm Collins]

Hi Mick, I have my Tiger 1 set up for 1 hand control and whilst it is not as realistic as 2 stick I find it very easy and natural to handle after a short time. I have many Tamiya r/c tanks all set up as 2 stick control but I now prefer 1 stick, especially as I have my sound set up as you have with the "waggle the stick" system. I bought my tank pre owned so was not really involved in the set up and I too find it confusing.If you get stuck with setting up you have people not too far from you who I am sure would help if you took your tank to them.Good luck.
Malcolm

[mick whittingham]

Hi all,

I seem to have got things working OK so far but I am thinking about modifying the transmitter controls to make sound selection a bit easier.

Sound switch

My idea is to replace the double throw toggle switch with either a similar switch but momentary operation so that it returns to centre making the stick waggling easier, or to remove the toggle switch altogether and replace it with two push to make button switches so that the rear one is pressed the right number of times to select the sound option and the front one is used as a "fire" switch to activate the selected sound.

If anyone has any thoughts on this or any tips on changing toggle switches then let me know as I want to start butchering soon lol. I told you I was not electronics whiz.

Regards,

Mick

[Maarten Schutjes]

Why not use the benedini rotary encoder?

See this topic
http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... f=2&t=1716

[mick whittingham]

Hi all,

I have made the modification to the Futaba radio control unit for controlling the sound card.

I replaced the single toggle switch with two push button switches, one of which selects the sound to be generated and one of which activates it.

Quite a simple table top mod with minimal stress on a hobby level electronics pudding like me.

New switching set up

It operates really well, with a few easily counted clicks of the black button to select the sound and then a single press of the red Fire button to activate the sound. Its an easier way of modifying the controls compared to new encoders and multiple button boxes which I am just not competent enough to attempt yet.

Ciao for now, Mick

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi Mick
Nice neat and simple,I like it
Cheers
Phil

[mick whittingham]

Hi all,

I have a query about the radio channels assigned to various functions on the Centurion.

On the Futaba 7c channel 6 is shown as fire control, is this the recoil function? If I am not using the recoil facility can I use the now redundant channel 6 for controlling another function such as a lighting switch etc. It appears channel 6 is controlled by the rotary switch on the front of the transmitter.

Also channel 7 is shown as a switched relay channel which can be used for other functions, I might be missing something simple but the battery feed goes into the channel 7 socket so how do I get a servo plug out of it?

I am not a whizz on RC and need some information about the basics of control which the Futaba manual does not seem to provide.

I would like to change the gun barrel raise and lower or turret traverse to another channel rather than on the main sticks but this might not be possible/practical, any thoughts gratefully received.

PS I have modified the transmitter to give spring return on both main control sticks thus avoiding one track powering up unexpectedly.

Best regards,

Mick

[Peter Silcock]

Hi Mick not sure about the recoil function but yes you can use channel 6 for another function. I have used it for switching on lights and for MG movement etc. Remember that on this rc set channels 5 and 7 can be allocated to any switch by following your manual - it looks complicated but it is easy to do. Channel 7 is used by fitting either a Y lead which gives you 2 sockets to use or much neater a short extension with a double socket. Both are easily available from model shops. As far as changing the turret and barrel movement you really need a proportional channel not an on/off switch but no doubt some of the rc experts on the forum may come up with a solution. Dont know whether you got my previous PM .

[paul&robinmargle]

Is the rotary switch proportional? That would be handy for the turret turn for us two stick users.

Robin

[Peter Silcock]

Channel 6 is proportional but I have never tried using it for turret rotation. I personally find that it is much easier to use channels 1 and 4 for turret and gun movement and use either 5 or 7 allocated to switch E (top left of the transmitter) for the sound. Very much a matter of personal choice.