Well with an ever increasing fleet of tanks, and always trying to be practical, I came up with the following idea. The DBC/ Sound card have multiple wires running between them, but to hook the pair up to the Heng Long electronics is very simple with only two wires being required. So what I did was combine the DBC/Sound card into a common module, leaving only a two wire hook up to the Heng long board.

The pictures below show the final product plus how it is all hooked up. Every Heng Long I own will have the two wire terminal strip for 5v power and a connection to the Heng Long factory sounds. To hook up the battle system all that will be required is to remove the top of the tank, insert the module, hook up two wires and then plug in to the ESC and the Tx. THis will take all of five minutes. THis is my first one, but I am going to pull out all my DBC's and construct them in this manner. Now rather then having to buy battle system for every tank, I can use the 6 I already have and move them around between tanks.

I got the dry transfers out to mark up the module and then cut up the Heng Long markings out of my burned up RX 18, in an attempt to make the module look "factory"

How about using small connectors instead?

I just hate dealing with the stripped copper ends, they end up looking like tangled hair after being messed with a few times.

Could always fill the exposed copper strands with solder I suppose, but a connector would be more durable I'd think.

Good idea though, better than buying a whole bunch of them.

I tin the ends of the wire with solder so that helps with the fazzled look. I thought about a two pin connector, but thought that would be too easy to plug in wrong. These connectors work OK, as in reality the DBC will most probably stay in the tanks I put them in. The module just gives me the option to move them around a bit.

I really like your idea. I always found it was best too simplify things as much as possible. It would be nice if all the electronics were built modular so everything was plug and play.

Says you!


I keed, I keed. I really like the look, looks very portable and professional. Lowers the risk of shorting it too when one of the classic Heng Long "bonus" screws appears out of nowhere. Found a brass pin sitting inside one of the shocks on my Stug yesterday...explains why it wasn't climbing objects evenly.

D.

Yes, Here is a system that with only 4 points to connect to your boards and 2 are plugs, and then 2 heafty plugs to plug in you apple or your IR sensor!

http://www.rctankwars.com/battlecircuits.php

The Bltiz

Looks familiar...

Well you know it is a good install,,,, when I use it for an instructional aide!

The Blitz

Well here is number 2 conversion, complete with DBU. This is the whole package. Also DBU lit up on a Pershing

Nice work YHR, Your DBU has a more professional look then some I've seen being sold, you should consider marketing this and your movable DBC unit before someone else turns it into his Idea.

Gary

Well thanks. I always try to keep things neat and tidy. I build the boxes out of styrene, and it does take time. How does " North of the Border Battle Systems" sound? NOOOOOOOOOO. THis is a hobby for me. Mix in business and you have a chance of ruining the fun. Building, shipping, customer help line, all take time away from actually enjoying the hobby. Some guys are cut out for it, but not me. What I do professionally is more lucrative, and my time is valuable. I run the numbers, and they only way it makes sense to me is when I am retired, looking for something to do., Otherwise I am far better off to just work, make money and spend it doing what I like!!!!. That is why my wife is patient with this obsession. She always has told me, "don't quit yout day job and you can buy whatever you like.". Works for me.( I was into retailing model railroad stuff years ago, so I know the business a little. At the end of the day it has to be profitable, otherwise what is the point. That is why most cottage industries only last 2 or 3 years. Guys get tired and find out, they are not having fun anymore, and usually shut it down, so they can start enjoying the hobby again. Either that or they expand, and turn it into a real venture. That means the whole hobby gambit from Airplanes to Tanks, and everything in between. Again usually destroying the actual thing they were having the most fun doing.

The Blitz appears to be having fun, and serving the small market there is. I'll let him have all the fun!!!!! IF anyone want to copy this idea, it is all theirs. That is why I posted it. I think it is a practical way to reduce the money you spend, without giving up a lot. Basically if you stick to the Heng long, you only have 6 channels, so 6 battle systems that are easily movable should keep you covered. I did the same thing with Batteries. Why have a 4200 mah battery in every Tank. Buy 6 and move them around. That frees up money to buy more tanks!!!!!!.