If one were to switch from HL to Tamiya electronics, what exactly would one need? I have a new 6ch radio and spektrum ground reciever that have never been used, so that helps. So beyond the DMD and MFU, what is required to get an HL running, possibly with recoil and flash. Battle Unit can wait until I have a need.

Thanks in advance for advice, I didn't realize the parts could be had for much cheaper than AAF and am excited at the possibility of upgrading my KV-1 or Panzer III.

These are the parts I think I need for a KV-1 with flash & recoil:
7305095 Tamiya DMD Control Unit T-08
7305094 Tamiya DMD Multifunction Unit MF-06 KV-1
4205024 Tamiya 1/16 Recoil Unit
4305611 Recoil Gear Bracket
3450179 Gun Barrel
7255033 Flash Unit
7305093 Light Unit

Is it possible to wire the Tamiya stuff to the HL recoil unit?

you also nee the communications cable that interfaces between the dmd and mf-xx. The bad new is the list you have is over $500 worth of stuff.

IMHO, if you're going to spend another 500.00 worth of stuff to get a HL to work like a Tamiya, you might as well sell the HL's and use the proceeds in part to get one of the Tamiyas, but that's just me.

I really prefer the solid metal Asiatam hulls to the Tamiya bathtub. I found a source in Japan that I can get the DMD and the MF for $270. The rest of the parts are around or under $25 each. For about $400 I could get it all and my KV would still be under $1000. I can't get a Tamiya KV-1 with all metal roadwheels, tracks, etc for that price. Trust me, I really hesitated dropping the initial $500 for the HL KV as opposed to the Tamiya at $700, but the Metal is my weakness and my Panzer III runs so dang well with the same metal parts.

So what do i need if I just want to replace the functionality in the KV? Driving, sound, turret function, maybe rig the HL flash and recoil up?

Am I good to go with just the DMD, MF and cables needed? Will those units light up the hull lights and trigger the stock LED flash?

You can usually buy all of those on ebay for a lot less.

I know, I have enough equipment for 3 tanks and I'm not a millionaire either.


- Jeff

Here are some picts for reference from two club members who made the upgrade. One kept the stock battery location and the other did not. Both used stock HL gearboxes. Neither of them added the recoil or flash.

Good luck!

(they post as pcomm1 & SCAT PATTON on the forum)

http://web.mac.com/ksoc/Special_Proj...anzer_III.html

http://web.mac.com/ksoc/Special_Proj...anzer_III.html

Pysguy, you want more power run metal wheels..and the rest , you need run tamiya power-dmd and tamiya gear box for max speed and torque. Otherwise, the new mato heavy duty gear box(similar to asiantam= same) would just be fine. But from my experience, tamiya gear stock gear box is more than enough...


Please enjoy..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yFeC6OXIi0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynib-LY7TSY

Thanks for the info guys, I'll definitely be perusing it tonight. I run HL steel boxes because they are so quiet, sexy smooth and show no signs of wear in my other tanks. This time I'm trying the new steel 3:1's since the KV really needs the torque to drag it's 13lb ass around. The boxes are in the mail now and I hope the live up to the quality of the regular steel ones.

God I love every aspect of this hobby.