Battle Adapter for Heng Long Tanks Installation & Product Notes

Transcription

1 Battle Adapter for Heng Long Tanks Installation & Product Notes

2 1.1 INTRODUCTION: Thank you for choosing a MAKO. Please read the following guide to help you with your unit. The MAKO was originally designed as a simple plug and play adapter for Heng Long tankers to allow them to battle with Tamiya equipped Tanks while RETAINING the ability to still fight with other Heng Long tanks. As of late March 2012, the ability to battle with WSN tanks was added to the MAKOs growing list of features. It's design concept was to allow anyone with a Heng Long tank to show up at our club days and within seconds allow them to take their tank out onto the battlefield and have a FUN battle with anyone. Alone, the MAKO was never meant to strictly adhere to any particular battle system. To do so would increase both cost and complexity of installation. The MAKO can be installed in seconds and also removed in seconds meaning that our club can have a supply of MAKOs on hand for any new recruits. Hence we don't have to tell anyone that they can't put their tanks onto our battlefield because they don't have a $1000 plus tank setup. After all at the end of the day it is all about having a bit of fun. If your club or you personally have such an overwhelming desire to conform to a particular brands standard then there is only ONE option available to you Buy it instead. So if you are not hung up on rules and want more enjoyment from your hobby then read on... The Panzer III chassis upon which so many variants were produced. A no go zone for those that stick to a particular brand only.

3 2.1 AT A GLANCE: 1. The input connector for the MAKO. Plug the extension cable into this connector and the other end into the IR port of the RX The output connector for the MAKO. The Heng Long 5 pin connector cable that attaches to the RX-18 IR connector is now attached here. 3. mcontroller in socket: The IC socket is there to speed up production of the MAKO and allows users to easily change chips. In the future additional MAKO options may become available. Users may simply purchase these newer chips from RCTA or can return the original chip to RCTA for re-programming. 4. AUX1 Output: This output is for connection to either an LED driver board for the visual indication of IR hits and programming status or to an upcoming MAMBA board. The MAMBA board will control motor speed in relation to acquired 'battle damage'. 5. AUX2 Output: This has now been upgraded to a 3-pin connector for an Anti-Track Recoil Circuit (ATRC) (sold separately). The ATRC removes all of the undesirable Heng Long track effects such as track recoil, hit shudders and the death spasm. (see Connecting an ATRC 3.1.1) 6. Service interface: This connector allows us at RCTA to interface with the MAKOs microcontroller. If no connector is present here your board will more than likely have a IC socket. 7. Bergepanzer Jumper. (NOT PRESENT ON STANDARD BOARDS) This jumper determines the range of the IR signal shot. For battle tanks the jumper must be present for maximal range. (see Tank Type)

4 3.1 INSTALLING THE MAKO: The MAKO was designed to install in seconds with no modification required of a factory fitted Heng Long IR Battle System. It is strongly suggested that the board is insulated in some way. Either by the addition of some foam tape on the underside of the board or by enclosing the entire board shrink tube. To connect the MAKO. a) Remove the 5 pin cable from the IR port of the RX18 and plug it into the MAKO output b) Connect the supplied 5 pin cable from the IR port to the MAKO input c) Connect the LED indicator (and ATRC if also purchased)

5 3.1.1 Connecting an ATRC (sold separately): The photo above shows the connection of an ATRC unit with the MAKO V1. The ATRC unit is connected to the AUX2 output of the MAKO V2 via a 3 wire cable. Please note that the wire that connects to the MAKO V2 and ATRC units now follows the standard servo cable convention. (signal, positive, ground). To connect the motors the red wire to each motor needs to be cut and the ends attached to the screw terminals of the ATRC as shown. Once connected the ATRC board eliminates all of those undesirable track effects such as track recoil, hit shudders and the death spasm. For further information on the ATRC unit please refer to its associated user instructions, the current version of which can be downloaded here: WHAT DOES IT DO? HOW DOES IT WORK? The rctabu MAKO is best thought of as a form of infra-red translator that is proficient in Heng Long, Tamiya and WSN IR protocols. This allows a Heng Long tank fitted with a MAKO to battle it out with tanks possessing either of these three battle systems. It's primary function is translation of the IR codes. Because the system is design to work with

6 the RX18 unit battle functions are ultimately handled and set by the RX18. However, it is possible to 'trick' the RX18 in order to open up a few more possibilities and conform somewhat to existing battle standards. Some of these functions can be achieved with the MAKO alone and the remainder achieved with the new MAMBA add-on board. The functions that are achieved by the MAKO alone include Weight Class and associated Reload Time. 5.1 MAKO STARTUP and PROGRAMMING: After the MAKO has been installed and all of the connections made, including the indicator LED and battle unit it is time to turn on your tank. As soon as your tank is powered up the MAKO program starts. You do not need to press the 'ignition' button on your Heng Long controller. Once powered the MAKO goes through the following LED sequence. 1. Version Number: The LED will flash to indicate the version number of the chip firmware. At present this is version 2 so the LED will flash twice. 2. Programming Period: After a short pause the LED will light for approximately 5 seconds indicating the programming period. During this time the MAKO can be programmed using a SONY TV compatible remote control. The sensor mushroom must be connected to the MAKO to allow programming. During programming the user can select weight class and in the case of a Bergepanzer MAKO either bergepanzer or battle tank. By pressing the numbers on the remote control the options are as follows: '1' Light Battle Tank '2' Medium Battle Tank '3' Heavy Battle Tank (for Bergepanzer MAKO boards) '4' Light Bergepanzer '5' Medium Bergepanzer '6' Heavy Bergepanzer Once selection is made the the LED will immediately flash indicating Tank Selection. (Unless specifically ordered all MAKO boards come pre-programmed as Medium Battle Tanks and Bergepanzer MAKO boards as Medium Bergepanzers.) 3. Tank Selection: After programming the LED will flash to indicate Tank Selection: Battle Tank: 3 quick flashes Bergepanzer: 12 quick flashes The LED will then flash slower to indicate weight class: Light Tank: 3 flashes Medium Class: 5 flashes Heavy Class: 9 flashes At the end of this sequence the main MAKO program starts.

7 NOTE: The MAKO does not need to be programmed at every startup. The current settings are retained in Eeprom until the user chooses to re-program the unit Tank Type: Standard MAKO: This board only features the ability to operate as a Battle Tank. In such a case it is only able to send the IR fire signal. All other features are available. Bergepanzer MAKO: This board features the ability to operate as either a Battle Tank or Bergepanzer and hence is able to fire EITHER the IR fire signal or the repair signal. If Bergepanzer mode is selected it is recommended that the jumper at JP01 is disconnected to limit the range of the IR signal. In bergepanzer mode the unit is only able to fire a repair signal and thus is unprotected against the 'enemy'. Your bergepanzer units must be protected or ream in in 'safe areas' of the batlefield Weight Class: Users may select from one of 3 weight classes. Light Class 3 lives Medium Class - 5 lives, 5 second reload for battle tanks, 10 seconds for bergepanzers Heavy Class - 9 lives, 9 second reload for battle tanks, 18 seconds for bergepanzers NOTE: The MAKO operates in conjunction with the RX18. As such the MAKO cannot magically give the RX18 features that it does not possess. Thus to achieve 9 lives the RX18 has to be 'tricked' into thinking it has only been hit five times when in fact it has been hit 9 times. As a consequence every second IR hit will only produce flashing of the hit indicating LEDs, there will be no response from the RX18 itself. Similarly, to achieve light class after the 3rd hit the tank will stop and 2 more 'hits' are automatically sent to the RX18.

8 5.1.3 Reload Period: The MAKO provides a reload period dependent on weight class. A standard RX18 permits almost continuous firing of the main gun. Not really fair against those units that have a reload time. Hence, the MAKO features a tank type and weight class dependant reload period during which the RX18 will still fire the cannon but no IR will be sent from the MAKO. When the reload period has expired the hit indicating LEDs will flash twice. Light Class, 3 second reload for battle tanks, 6 seconds for bergepanzers Medium Class, 5 second reload for battle tanks, 10 seconds for bergepanzers Heavy Class, 9 second reload for battle tanks, 19 seconds for bergepanzers Battle Damage/Motor Speed: At present there is no support for this function. However, this will change with the release of the MAMBA board due 3rd Q A connection for this new board exists on all MAKOs sold after 17th March Like the ATRC the MAMBA board is an option (sold separately) and only required for use in tank club situations. The MAMBA will reduce tank speed in line with the popular battle rules. After 1 hit: 50% speed (Heavy and Medium) After 3 hits 25% speed (Medium) After 5 hits 25% speed (Heavy) 6.1 BERGEPANZER FUNCTION: All V2 MAKOs support the ability to be 'repaired' if hit with a valid IR repair signal. This signal has been programmed to be compatible with standard used in the Italian Battle Unit (IBU). However, as of writing the compatibility of the MAKO and IBU has not been confirmed. To 'repair' a battle damaged tank the bergepanzer should approach to within 1 metre (3 feet) of the tank and fire a repair signal. If the tank is able to be repaired the indicator LED on the tank will flash and then stay on for the primary repair period. During repair the the tank is unable to move or fire. HOWEVER, both the bergepanzer and the tank being repaired are susceptible to attack. Part of your battle strategy should be to protect your bergepanzers and to make your opponents bergepanzers high value targets. The length of the primary repair period depends on the weight class of the tank being repaired. Primary Repair Period: Light Tank 10 seconds Medium Tank 14 seconds Heavy Tank - 18 seconds Once the primary repair period is over the indicator LED on the tank being repaired will start flashing rapidly indicating the secondary repair period. If a tank that is in the secondary repair period is hit with another repair signal it is immediately repaired and released. Otherwise the tank is repaired and released at the end of the secondary repair

9 period. Secondary Repair Period: Light Tank 5 seconds Medium Tank 7 seconds Heavy Tank - 9 seconds Once a tank is repaired it is returned to the state it was prior to the last IR hit received. For example if a light tank is repaired after taking 2 hits then it will not be destroyed the next time it is hit as the hit count will be returned to 1. IMPORTANT NOTE 1: As a consequence of working in conjunction with the RX18 the next hit received by a tank after repair is processed by the MAKO only. Hence, to indicate that the tank has been hit the motors will stop and the indicator LED will flash however no explosion sound will be triggered. IMPORTANT NOTE 2: To ensure that tank battles can eventually end there is a limit of 5 repairs per tank. Only tanks that have sustained damage can be repaired. IMPORTANT NOTE 3: During repair your battle tank is immobilised. It can not move nor is it able to return fire. If the tank being repaired is hit by an enemy tank the repair process is stopped and the tank sustains damage. It is also released and only then able to return fire. The repair process needs to be restarted if this occurs. KEEP YOUR REPAIR AREA WELL DEFENDED. 7.1 RoHS INFORMATION: As of 17th March 2012 all MAKOs are assembled using lead-free solder and as of April 2012 all PCBs manufactured and sold by RCTA will be finished using lead-free techniques. Wherever possible RoHS compliant components are used on all PCBs. 8.1 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND WARRANTY: Wherever possible every MAKO is fully tested after final assembly. This includes connecting to a working RX18 unit. Each unit is test fired and the results checked on an oscilloscope. However, due to an actual human assembling the boards and doing these tests mistakes will inevitably occur. As such all RCTA products are guaranteed for a period of 6 months against manufacturing defects. In such cases these units can be returned in an unmodified state to RCTA for refund or replacement. 9.1 SUPPORT: For support related issues please visit the Forum first:

10 Otherwise send an to: That's about all there is to the MAKO for now... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: would like to thank a number of people that have helped with the MAKO project. Firstly, to Dave, who when told his Heng Long tank cannot battle with the clubs Tamiya Brigade asked the simple question why? To all the other members of the Moreton Bay Remote Control Tank Club especially, Mark, Dave, Chris and Ken the original MAKO test pilot. Finally, a very big thanks to Ger Hanssen whose input has been invaluable and much appreciated. DISCLAIMER: This product is not a toy and is intended for use only by hobbyists over the age of 14 years for the building of detailed and faithful scale models. Installation of this product is at your own risk. No liability is accepted for any damage to existing circuitry during installation or use of this product. RC TANKS AUSTRALIA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE TO ANY PRODUCTS HEREIN TO IMPROVE RELIABILITY, FUNCTION, OR DESIGN. RC TANKS AUSTRALIA DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF THE APPLICATION OR USE OF ANY PRODUCT OR CIRCUIT DESCRIBED HEREIN; NEITHER DOES IT CONVEY ANY LICENSE UNDER ITS PATENT RIGHTS, NOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. THESE SPECIFICATIONS DO NOT EXPAND THE TERMS OF RC TANKS AUSTRALIA S WORLDWIDE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, SPECIFICALLY THE WARRANTY THEREIN, WHICH COVERS THESE PRODUCTS.