Well damn

...and my build goes on...though, my cross town friends Abrams electronic package is defective and Tamiya USA will replace it with new parts.

Me too.

Quite interesting, these things are nearly computers now in their functionality.

Tamiya USA actually replaced the Chassis Control Unit, but did not admit it, LOL.

So, it is alive and well now, after a lengthy delay.

Thank you!

John

Very nice.

I experienced the same glitch using a Futaba Skysport 2.4 radio system. After switching to the Tamiya Attack 2.4 with the “updated” receiver that strange issue went away. What remained was the main gun firing, tank shutdown issue using the Tamiya Attack Radio. Besides NOT having the rear lights hooked up, my builder bad, the kit’s Chassis Control Unit was faulty. Tamiya USA emailed me an additional rc setup instruction, which is DO NOT fire the main gun until all components are hooked up! They stealthily replaced my Chassis Control Unit (the board in the hull), whatever, the Abrams works now.

Tips: Read the “Idiosyncrasies post” above concerning fresh battery swaps, another and different tank shut down issue, LOL. Just when you think your all rc setup good, something new pops up. An easy fix though. I did alert the Tamiya USA tech about this issue, from first contact. They did not address the issue, at least not for my kits. Probably glitch information overload relative to their capabilities to deal with the known issues. Plus, the Tamiya supervisor was defensive and not willing to admit the Abrams electronics had issues and focused only on setup procedures and not firing the main gun until all components are plugged in and ready to go. Of course, that is really important, but not the whole story or fix if a board is bad!

John

By observation, it seems to my rc modeler eyes that the Abrams electronic components package (like the Tamiya Type 10) is cheaper and down graded when compared to the Tamiya WWII tank rc electronics and the Tamiya Leopard 2A6. For instance, some of the wiring gauge used in the Abrams is flimsy cheap, some of the male, female plugs are inferior quality, soldering while clean is not robust as within the WWII rc tanks electrics, etc etc.

The Tamiya Abrams rc tank sound effects accuracy is Clark toy like wrong. Most glaring incorrect, especially the Abrams’ brass shell ejection sound effect. The Abrams M1A2 does not use brass shell casings Very poor technical research on Tamiya engineering’s part. I would hazard to guess Tamiya out sourced the Abrams electronics package to Clark and if so they are over charging big time for this low quality electronics package used in the Abrams modern rc tank kit.

That hunch stated, I still enjoy both my rc Tamiya Abrams and a new favorite.

John

You could always buy a cheap henglong and build it yourself how you want.
But you have already done that John.
You should see mine in ludicris mode, its fast but not fast enough to jump. Need bigger motors!

A build brief opinion.



Yes “nothing but trouble” Tamiya Abrams rc tank building fun ate up eight months of on and off hobby fun. Plus your right, not much difference, in my opinion, between a well rebuilt RTR HL RC Abrams and a well assembled stock Tamiya RC Abrams Kit.

Thoughts on RC Abrams tanks after doing a couple of upgrade HL and Tamiya Abrams: Buying an Abrams M1A2 INFRARED RC Model Tank; which one should I GET? Should I buy the Heng Long RTR Abrams and modify it to be Tamiya IR RC battle compatible or buy the Tamiya Abrams RC Kit?

1. The IR RC Project Build Cost Estimate.

A. From Taigen USA.
Heng Long RTR BASE Model Abrams. $200.00
ELMOD (electronics package upgrade). $280.00
Tamiya pair of 380 motors. $20.00
2.4 Four Channel RC System. $100.00
TBU. $98.00
Paint & Supplies. $35.00
Total Build Cost EST. $713.00

B. From the AAF Museum.
Tamiya Abrams Kit. $970.00
2.4 Four Channel per Tamiya USA Spec. $200.00
TBU. $98.00
Paint & Supplies. $35.00
Total Build Cost EST. $1303.00

C. The COST difference between the Heng Long RTR Abrams with really good basic infrared RC upgrades and a BUILT Tamiya Abrams Kit is estimated to be $590.00.

D. There is a clear qualitative and performance difference between the two builds. The Heng Long build path is a "good enough direction" for an outdoor, to be abused RC IR fighter.

E. If budget is not an issue, take the Tamiya Abram's Kit path, as the qualitative and performance differences favor Tamiya. Though, the HL is close enough for good outdoor battle play, when both models are performing side by side.

F. A TIP: The Tamiya Abram's durability is unmatched and will be running good long after the Heng Long Abrams fails and falls apart.

Though, there is nothing inferior with using an expendable, inexpensive, replaceable HL base tank philosophy. Just replace with a NEW HL Abrams tank, swap out your metal parts, and paint it; when the hull and suspension fails on your worn out HL Abrams; reinstall your upgraded electronics in the new HL Abrams and your back in RC IR business, I have!

Enjoy, John

PS Still haven’t launched my Tamiya Abrams off a ramp to get it airborne and try and score an IR hit. But I will and that drill should be part of the San Diego Modern Tank Battle Day.

That is Great! John

The M1A2 shell ejection sound effect inaccuracy is a minor point and probably no other rc tank modelers will care, LOL.

John

Question, you did not fire the main gun until every rc set up task was completed? If so, I think your kit’s turret control unit and the chassis control unit are at fault and require replacement. Contact Tamiya USA and request replacements. Be prepared to send them both your units.

John

Contact:
Gary Demory
[email protected]
Customer Service Supervisor
Tamiya America
Customer Service
36 Discovery, Ste. 200
Irvine, CA 92618
800 826 4922

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