Newbie late Tiger 1 help wanted

[David Thomas]

Hi everyone
I received my Late Tiger 1 No 30 in May and have almost completed the easy bit, that being the easy bit.
I now face with trepidation the electronics having very little experience.
I have dabbled with rc cars and planes but as for the tank setup I am struggling and tearing my hair out.
I have the Motion Control and Audio modules also smoke and recoil.
I have so far got the smoker and the recoil motor running.
I have turret rotation working ok on rudder left stick.
My TX is the Spektrum 6e with ar610 RX as recommended by Armortek.
Now comes the two problems, I can't get barrel elevation and recoil servo movement through the supplied harness even though I
have wired up exactly as shown in the manual and wiring diagram. All I get when pushing the throttle up and down is audible click from one of the relays in the Motion module.
That's my first problem, the next is the sounds.
I have followed the instructions for setting up the sound card times without number ie slowly start motor and move digital switch etc.
It says in the manual when you toggle the 3 way switch on the TX you should get the start up sound I get no sound at all.
I am a bit green on setting up one of the toggle switches what exactly do I have to do, any advice gratefully received.
I have gone through all the connections for everything many times but I admit defeat on these two problems.
Dave.

[Adrian Harris]

Whereabouts are you ?

The recoil won't work until you have the sounds working. My system used to cycle the barrel at power up, not sure if the new system does the same.

On the DX6e, do you have a channel monitor if you scroll the thumb wheel ? That is useful to see which channel is changing as you operate the controls, so you can see if you have the connections in the right places in the receiver.

Adrian.

[David Thomas]

Hi Adrian
I live at Waterlooville Hants.
Sorry about the gobbledygook at the beginning of my message it was supposed to come out as the assembly being the easy bit.
Yes I do have the monitor on the TX to show all the movement's on the sticks and they are working ok.

[Stephen White]

David, Adrian is a top bloke and his advice is worth listening to. In addition to the Armortek Manual, there are a number of topics in the Knowledge Base you should read. They're self explanatory, easy to follow and intended to be a step by step guide to setting up your model. You'll find other posts similar to yours where I've spelt out which topics are most relevant.

All the best.

Stephen

[David Thomas]

Hi Stephen
I have read all the messages pertaining to the setting up and all the other messages pertaining to the Tiger1 for months and I am afraid that I am none the wiser.
I have done everything stated in the manuals made completely sure that all connections are correct over and over again with respect
to the wiring diagrams, so I am hoping someone will tell me how they have set up the barrel elevation on their tank working on the left throttle stick.

[Vince Cutajar]

Hi David

Congratulations on finishing your Tiger. I have still a long way to go to reach that stage so really can't help you. I have never had an RC model so it's the area of the build I am really not looking forward to. So many variables and so many things that can go wrong.

Please tell us of how you manage to eventually solve your problem.

Vince

[Adrian Harris]

( Thanks Stephen )

I'm in Reading, so would be happy to take a look if you can drag your Tiger up the M3 ?

If the monitor is showing the throttle stick is moving as expected, then next step would be to put a servo on the throttle output on the receiver, to see if that responds. That then rules out the radio. If the servo doesn't move, then there's a problem with the transmitter or receiver, or their setup.

In the manual, the elevation motor is shown connected to "SWITCHED 1", so the receiver throttle connection needs to go to RC Input 1.

Do you have access to a voltmeter ?

I would test that you get 24V at the "SWITCHED 1" output first, then test each of the connections up the turret loom to the elevation motor.

It looks from the manual that there is a thermal fuse (yellow blob with two solid wire leads) in the positive cable at the white connector to the motor. These are designed to be soldered to circuit boards, rather than onto free cables, and can suffer from metal fatigue in the leads or fractures of the body due to excess strain on the legs, so check that that this item is still in once piece.

Adrian.

[Adrian Harris]

If you have the gun elevation on the throttle stick, how are you controlling the tracks ?

Adrian.

[David Thomas]

Hi Adrian
Thanks for reply and info.
I will be trying out all your suggestions today and will let you know how I get on.
I have got all the electronics laid out on the bench so I won't be installing in the tank until I am happy everything is working.
Thanks for your offer about driving up the M3 I am still scratching my head how I am going to get it out of my garage
I have got forward and reverse on the right stick elev/aerlion.
Has Stephen slightly embarrassed you :lo
Dave.

[David Thomas]

Hi David

Congratulations on finishing your Tiger. I have still a long way to go to reach that stage so really can't help you. I have never had an RC model so it's the area of the build I am really not looking forward to. So many variables and so many things that can go wrong.

Please tell us of how you manage to eventually solve your problem.

Vince

Hi Vince
I will keep you informed as things progress.
I have followed your build right from the start and congratulate on what a super job you are making of it.
Dave

[Stephen White]

Hi Stephen
I have read all the messages pertaining to the setting up and all the other messages pertaining to the Tiger1 for months and I am afraid that I am none the wiser.
I have done everything stated in the manuals made completely sure that all connections are correct over and over again with respect
to the wiring diagrams, so I am hoping someone will tell me how they have set up the barrel elevation on their tank working on the left throttle stick.

Dave, hi. I wasn't sure from your reply whether you were referring to the Knowledge Base Topics or the various posts on the Tiger threads. If by chance, you've missed the Knowledge Base topics, these are the ones most relevant to you:

How to select a radio system:
http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... c979d97b0b

How to set up sound cards:
http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... c979d97b0b

One stick driving (which I'd thoroughly recommend):http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... c979d97b0b

Fail safe and system setup, Spectrum:
http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... c979d97b0b

Once you're up and running, you might also consider fitting a rotary encoder to select the special sounds. It's very easy to do and a much easier way to operate.

One comment on transmitter modes. There is no "right" way to allocate channels to control sticks on the transmitter. Some choose to have left and right tracks controlled on separate sticks (which resembles the full size). Elevation and traverse for the turret are on the remaining two channels. Others find it easier to allocate all control of driving to one stick (generally the right one). The Knowledge Base Topic tells you how to do this. The control of gun elevation and traverse is then on the other stick and operates in the natural sense. If you want to achieve any sort of realism in driving the tank, being able to operate the driving and control the turret movement at the same time is a good idea. So called One stick operation is the easiest way to do this.

Stephen

[David Thomas]

( Thanks Stephen )

I'm in Reading, so would be happy to take a look if you can drag your Tiger up the M3 ?

If the monitor is showing the throttle stick is moving as expected, then next step would be to put a servo on the throttle output on the receiver, to see if that responds. That then rules out the radio. If the servo doesn't move, then there's a problem with the transmitter or receiver, or their setup.

In the manual, the elevation motor is shown connected to "SWITCHED 1", so the receiver throttle connection needs to go to RC Input 1.

Do you have access to a voltmeter ?

I would test that you get 24V at the "SWITCHED 1" output first, then test each of the connections up the turret loom to the elevation motor.

It looks from the manual that there is a thermal fuse (yellow blob with two solid wire leads) in the positive cable at the white connector to the motor. These are designed to be soldered to circuit boards, rather than onto free cables, and can suffer from metal fatigue in the leads or fractures of the body due to excess strain on the legs, so check that that this item is still in once piece.

Adrian.

Hi Adrian
I am happy to say that I managed to get the elevation motor turning forward and reverse on the throttle stick.
I checked the throttle stick with a servo and that worked o.k.
I tested the complete harness for circuit and that was ok.
Plugged it all back in and it worked.
I don't know what was wrong before but there you go you have to make due allowance for a crusty old 80 year old!
I see what you mean about that little yellow blob I will have to devise a little enclosure to put round that.
My next task is to get the sound to work so I hope you don't mind if I will soon be back to pick your brains.
Dave

[David Thomas]

Hi Stephen
I have read all the messages pertaining to the setting up and all the other messages pertaining to the Tiger1 for months and I am afraid that I am none the wiser.
I have done everything stated in the manuals made completely sure that all connections are correct over and over again with respect
to the wiring diagrams, so I am hoping someone will tell me how they have set up the barrel elevation on their tank working on the left throttle stick.

Dave, hi. I wasn't sure from your reply whether you were referring to the Knowledge Base Topics or the various posts on the Tiger threads. If by chance, you've missed the Knowledge Base topics, these are the ones most relevant to you:

How to select a radio system:
http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... c979d97b0b

How to set up sound cards:
http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... c979d97b0b

One stick driving (which I'd thoroughly recommend):http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... c979d97b0b

Fail safe and system setup, Spectrum:
http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... c979d97b0b

Once you're up and running, you might also consider fitting a rotary encoder to select the special sounds. It's very easy to do and a much easier way to operate.

One comment on transmitter modes. There is no "right" way to allocate channels to control sticks on the transmitter. Some choose to have left and right tracks controlled on separate sticks (which resembles the full size). Elevation and traverse for the turret are on the remaining two channels. Others find it easier to allocate all control of driving to one stick (generally the right one). The Knowledge Base Topic tells you how to do this. The control of gun elevation and traverse is then on the other stick and operates in the natural sense. If you want to achieve any sort of realism in driving the tank, being able to operate the driving and control the turret movement at the same time is a good idea. So called One stick operation is the easiest way to do this.

Stephen

Thanks Stephen
I will have a good look at all those topics again.
Dave