Does anyone know at what frequency Vstank Pro IR emitters work at?

If you are looking for compatibility with other systems (Torro, Tamiya, etc), keep in mind that they all share more or less the same IR frequency (about 850-900 nm or about that) but each has a different transmittd pattern.

The reason I am asking is that I want to know if the VStank emitters are compatible with the IR targets made by Nick at www.rctankhobby.com.

He told me that they will pick up anything between the 36-40kHz range. If I can find out what frequency they are, he can get a detector that will work for it.

I suppose the best way is to just buy one and try it. If it doesn't work, swap out the detector.

It would be great to have a few of these detectors build into some battlefield objectives.

The Tamiya infrared signal is transmitted on a 38kHz signal, that is different from the wavelength (for example 960nm). There are many detectors that receive or read these signals, you just need to know what the transmission frequency is, you can even "miss" and get results. For example a 40kHz detector (receiver) will respond to the Tamya 38kHz signal. If it's at 56khz then the results, if any would be poor.

If you want to try one and it doesn't work I will gladly refund the material cost. Only loss would be shipping. I don't plan on getting any new tanks yet so there are no plans for the VStank Ir version in my near future. Otherwise I would be able to test it.

If someone is close to New Hampshire with a VStank Ir version I can also make some test if they were willing to pay me a visit.

I bought two of the 'older version' targets some time ago, and used one to build a 'target box' which reacted with sound and lights to IR shots.
Then I put the target box inside a scratchbuilt foam bunker, and used it as a 'final mission target' during some IR battles.
The target circuit is connected to a relay, operating a sound card, some red leds and a smoke generator. It also acts as a switch for an external power supply (if you want to drive an external mechanism). A 2nd custom sound (usually a victory march) can also be operated through an additional external switch, which can be hidden under a pressure plate and commanded by the weight of a passing tank. But the possibilities are endless.

During testing, the sensor reacted to any kind of IR emission I used: TV remote, Heng long with DBC, Tamiya Battle Unit, VStank IR, even a laptop IR port!

Therefore your problem will not be 'how to build a working target' with it, but 'how to avoid every existing wandering IR signal to trigger it'.
It was also incredibly sensible from Ir beams bouncing off walls or objects: I had to allow just a pinhole of light inside the target box i built to avoid a shot pointed completely elsewhere to trigger it.
I think the newer version shares the same IR receiver than the older one, just including a relay to drive the external sound card (I had to assemble it myself).

Nice setup! You've made a great application for the target circuit.

Yup, the detector is sensitive to all infrared. Sometimes just flourescent light will set it off. I do have a board that will discriminate between other signals and only respond to the Tamiya signal. It works with the battle circuit (connects between detector & board). The targets are pretty much stand alone and would not work with this. But your solution is perfect, shield it from other sources with only one point of access.

I'm working on one that will count the number of hits (selectable from 1 to 9) then activate a relay, it will also have two additional relays, one for sound and one for another device, maybe a smoke unit like you have? With the extra relays and other devices it would need a larger power source, the 9 volt battery would not be sufficient. I guess it should detect the Tamiya signal to be more selective also?

So you verified the VStank infrared works with these circuits? That's good to know, thanks.

Thats great news. Many thanks Borealis. I can go ahead then and order a couple.

I like the idea of a victory song and smoke generator.

Nick, I do think there is a real market for this. I'll send you an email.

I powered everything using a standard heng long 7.2V 2000 mAh battery pack. The sound card (the same used in Darkith's DBC) was powered by the same source, but with a 5v regulator circuit in between.
The ideas you have are interesting, especially the hits counter. The double relays system is a great addition. Why not offering the chance of a standard tamiya connector to power the board? Like many others, I have plenty of useless 1700 mAh NiCd and 2000 mAh NiMh power packs from my heng longs (every battery pack has been replaced with a 4A+ one).

About the tamiya signal, I dont' think it would be a plus for everyone. Maybe as an option, but that would make the board useless for Vstank, torro and heng long owners.

The newer target has a 5 volt regulator for the detector, there's a terminal block that accesses it and the relay contacts. Mainly meant for the sound card but not much else, the regulator can only source about 100mA, good for the sound card because it has a small current draw. There are solder points to add your own connector for power, I stay away from Tamiaya plugs and use the Deans connectors.

You are right about making it Tamiya only, that would limit its use. I guess shielding it from other sources is the best route.

Didan't VS put out a reactive IR target that exploded or something when hit?

Borealis - super job on yours by the way!! That is about the coolest thing I've seen. Great work! [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

Last I head was that they had a working prototype and that was like a year ago.