Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

I am having a problem setting the T-08 DMD Control unit on my Tamiya KV-2. I using a Mode 2 Spektrum Dx6i radio with the AR6200 receiver. I want to control the tank with the right stick and the turret/gun with the left. I have the DMD plugged into the receiver as follows;
DMD AR6200
Channel 4 rudder
Channel 2 elevator
Channel 1 aileron
Channel 3 throttle

When I power up both the DMD and transmitter, I have a solid orange light on the AR6200, a blinking green light operation indicator on the MF-06, and blinking orange lights on both drive indicators. I push the set button but the lights don’t change, I try doing set up any way and nothing happens to lights. Please any help would be appreciated.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Hi

Sorry if this is an obvious question but have you done the binding between the transmitter and receiver fitted in the tank? The Tamiya MFU will work with a DX6i as I used one before fitting the Futaba 2.4Ghz system. There was a thread a while ago about using this setup that had links to other useful sites. Added the forum link below so check it out to see if it can help you.


[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5560157/anchors_5560157/mpage_1/key_spektrum/anchor/tm.htm#5560157[/link]


cheers
Gorehound

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Hi Gorehand, thanks for the link. For the radio, as soon as I turned the transmitter on, the AR6200 receiver showed a steady orange light. I did try the binding procedure but I notiched no change in the light in the receiver so I assume it came already binded from the factory. My first Spektrum so I'm unsure if there is more to it then that. I did use the monitor status to make sure when I moved the sticks that it showed something there, and the arrows moved from center to about 3/4 to the left or right.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Yep, sounds like you haven't bound it. You'll need to bind it. Here's a quick and dirty method to bind the 6i (for some reason, the 6i manual covers binding in a very confusing manner, it was much simpler in the dx6 manual). Make sure your tank is on a safety block, so that if the treads start, they just spin freely. (most use a 2x4 or a foam block). Power off the tank and the tx. Now, install the bind plug on the battery terminal of the rx. Turn tank power to on. Press the trainer button on the tx, and turn on the tx. You'll see the rx light start blinking. Hold the trainer button until you get a solid light and then you can let off. When you get the solid light, its bound. You can turn the power off, and remove the bind plug from the tx. Then proceed with your normal MF unit setup per the Tam. instructions. Another tip, make sure you adjust your overtravel on the tx after the setup on the tank is complete. You'll need to adjust overtravel for the throttle stick (assuming you want to use it to fire the guns) to 125% for up and down.

FYI, I usually sell off the 6200 rx and the little satellite receiver that the 6i comes with (worth about 65 bucks on ebay) and purchase a AR6100e for about 40 bucks. Works the same, the 6200 is just a higher power rx than the 6100, and is in high demand by rc airplane flyers. The 6100 has range that exceeds any distance I've ever driven my tanks.

Good luck.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Once you have the receiver bound then you can setup the receiver so you drive with the right and control turret with the left (All my Tamiya Tanks are set up this way). Ch.1 goes to Ale Ch.2 goes to elev Ch.3 goes to Thro and Ch.4 goes to Rudd on receiver. I also use the AR6200.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Hi

I would agree with Jeff on using a 6100 or 6100e receiver (the e one has end connectors with the other has connectors on top). The 6200 is excellent and I use these in my helis but for a tank they are overkill and pricey. Also the 6100(e) takes up a lot less room and in some tanks space is at a premium.

If you try rebinding going exactly by the instructions in Jeff's thread and it still does not work let us know. I have a spare 6200 not fitted to anything at present and can pop it in my Jagdpanther to remind me what needed done with these as it is all opened up at present.

cheers
Gorehound

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Thanks everyone for their help, I tried rebinding as instructed above. The Ar6200 shows a steady organe light when I power on the DMD, I have bind chip plugged into the pwr/bind plug on the rx power on the the tx while pulling on the trainer switch, the tx does a steady beep and bind show on the LCD screen. At no time did I notich a change on the led light on the rx. I have a couple of photos below, the first is power off and shows the testing hookup in the Tamiya manual. The second photo in power on, I was able get all of the lighs on when I toke the photo but as I stated above they two orange lights blink togeather on the DMD and a green light blinks on the MF. pushing the the set button makes no difference to the leds on the DMD. Do I need to hold for a certian length on time?

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

I've found that the Y-cable can be loose even when hooked up to a battery, if you have two batteries then hook up one to the DMD and one to the MFU and try to rebind. Also make sure the batteries are fully charged. When binding and successful you'll get a solid orange light but also you will get the tank starting sound.

Just noticed you don't have the bind plug in, that hooks up to the batt. plug on the receiver then with the tank off and transmitter off and the bind plug in the batt. receiver slot turn on tank and on transmitter hold the trainer switch up and turn on transmitter. If the light on the receiver turns solid and you get the tank startup/run sound your good to go and remove the bind plug. Otherwise I don't know what else to tell you.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Orange lights on the MF means no radio signal to the electronics.   If the batteries aren't low, and the Y harness is secure, then I'd suggest isolating the receiver and testing it.  To do so, unplug everything from the receiver.  Plug a 4.8v battery pack into the battery terminal on the rx, and then use a spare servo plugged into an open channel make sure my rx is working.   

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Thanks guys, I tried two fresh batteries by-passing the Y-connector and still no-joy. I guess I'll have to buy a battery pack and server to see if the TX/RX works and take it from there.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx61 and Taimya DMD
 

Hi

It sounds as it is not bound properly yet. When you do the binding you need to hold the trainer button forward on the tranny as well. I have put a link into a vid showing how to do it. It is on a heli but it makes no difference apart from you have an on switch on the mfu rather than a battery plugged in like on the helis - oh, and you don't need a gyro on the tanks ;). Can you take a look and check if this is how it was with you.

[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOAz4umypTQ[/link]

cheers
Gorehound

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx61 and Taimya DMD
 

Thanks for the link Gorehound, I did exactly as shown, binder plug in rx in pwr/bind slot, power on tank and rx, then while holding the trainer button I turn on tx. I have a steady light on AR6200 main body, I see no light on the smaller satellite portion. The voltage shows 5.4V on the TX screen.

Jeff, I show slow blinking green light on the MF when power is on.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Chris,

I'd try to isolate the problem as a radio problem or a Tamiya electronic problem.  Try the servo test as mentioned above to check the radio and rx out.  Try running a self test on the Tamiya electronics.  Check your dmd manual, and you should see how to do a self test.
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RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Hi Jeff, I did the self test and from what I gather, I have a bad DMD, when I moverd switch 3 from the far left to far right, I got an engine idle sound, slowley flashing lights & MG, and alternating green & red on the MF indicator light. On the T-08 no indicator lights and no motion to any of the motors. I did do a reset to the T-08 and after a bit I got alteranting red & green lights but still no control. I shut off power and repowered the T-08 but all I got was the slow blinking orange lights with no change when I press the set button.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Hello,

I use this gear in my tanks and it is ok. One tip that may help. Check to make sure that your servo leads are plugged in the right way around. The black cable should be facing out and the white cable should be facing inboard. I cannot see from the pics if the cables are correct however it is an easy thing to overlook, I have done it many times.

The black outside cable is the negative and should go on the terminal marked with a minus (-).

It might also be that the KV1 DMDs have the safety setting on them like the Pershing where the motors will not turn until you have pushed the throttle slider all the way back, then pulled the stick all the way back to get it out of electronic neutral gear.

Also set you tank up just like Tamiya say to otherwise you will have trouble with firing your MG and Main Gun.

Cheers

Alan

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Start all over. Remove the DMD units from the tank hull, disconnect the motors, but have the speaker plugged in per the Tamiya instructions.

Reset your radio and DMD units per the manuals, charge your battery and connect the receiver as follows:

For tank throttle and steering on the right stick.
And turret – gun operation on the left stick.
Connect the DMD to the receiver as follows:
rudder = ch 1
throttle = ch 2
gun = ch 3
turret = ch 4

Airplane to tank rc radio system manual translation of terms:
rudder = turret rotation
throttle = throttle
elevator = gun elevation – gun firing – machine gun firing
aileron = steering

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Alan's right, I completely forgot I had the same issue as you with my Panther. All I did was reverse (turn around the plugs) the leads going into the receiver. It's hard for me to describe, but basically where the plugs go into the receiver just reverse the direction....you can see on one side of the plug metal leads, they are all facing one direction, just turn them around to face the other direction. Hope this helps, it worked for me.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Chris, Sounds like you're making good progress.   Try what Alan123,  Pcomm1 and Pzjgr suggest, they have experience with Tamiya and Spektrum combinations.  Remember, that if its a bad DMD, Tamiya will replace it with no hassle. 

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

WOOHOO! I turned around the plugs so black is away from the rx and white inboard. I was able to bind and then I got engine start up!!!!
The plugs on the DMD and a fin on the white side so after removing them, I figured that portion would go to the outside. There are no polarity markings on the receiver so I had a 50/50 chance on getting it wrong and I did.

Okay before I go any further, I did reset the DMD.
I have Channel 4 (Turret) in rudder, channel 2 (throttle) in elev, channel 1 (rudder) in aleron and channel 3 (main gun) in throttle. I want right stick tank control. When doing the set-up on the DMD, do I follow the instructions exactly, left stick up and down, then left stick left and right, then on the the right stick, or do I do the right stick first because of my layout?

Thank you guys, you sure saved me a lot of headaches in helping me.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Chris,

I don't believe it matters.  I've done it lots of different ways, and in no particular order.  I'm pretty sure that the dmd setup simply sets the endpoints for the stick movements. 

Make sure to adjust the overtravel on the throttle stick (that would be the left stick) to 125% up and down to make the gun and the mg fire properly.  Make sure the overtravel is at 100% (factory default) while you program the dmd, and then do the radio.  I've had a few headaches with no gun firing and this was the problem every time.  

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

All righty then, I have the DMD setup but I’m still having issues, first of all I once again reset the DMD before I did the setup with all travel settings set to 100% and trim to center position. I have hull MG firing with the throttle kill button, travel on throttle set to 125%, no main gun firing (flash or sound) though, no matter how fast I slap the stick up. I tried adjusting the M. Gun setting trim on the DMD to no effect. I tried moving trim up all the way on the left stick but still no main gun fire. Main gun does flash in test mode (no sound). While moving the right stick (throttle) up or down, I get engine sound that goes up/down proportionally as I move the throttle but the motors don’t do anything, I do get brake light in brake mode. I can not turn headlight on, it does work in test mode even with left stick trim set to max right.

I tried to figure out how to use the flap switch for main gun, but the Spektrum for dummies showing how to is for Dx6 not Dx6i I didn’t see anything on the setup screen that looked like the pictures. I have new freshly charged batteries for tank but that doesn’t seem to make a difference. On a good note the engine sounds coming from the speaker are outstanding!

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Ok, all my tanks are set the same, drive on right stick, control turret on left. This is how I set the left stick to fire main gun by throwing the left stick all the way up and machine gun by throwing the left stick down...first make sure that all setting on transmitter are set to default (undo Jeff's settings), then reset DMD and go through setting up the sticks...up/down/left/right. Once that's all done this is how I set mine up, on the transmitter go to your settings screen, then to sub trim, on Thro your going to increase to +55 (roll the roller to the right), once set to +55 with tank on throw the left stick all the way up....it should fire. The machine gun is easy, exit the screen and on the left stick vertical trim set it all the way to the bottom...now when you throw the stick down the machine gun should fire. This is my mickey mouse way but it works. :D

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

I'm interested to see how this works.   Let us know...

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Okay I'll give a try, what about the no light control or no motor control?

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Been a while since I programed my Tamiya Pershing with the DX6i, but I do remember referencing this thread. Hope it may shed some light....

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_73...tm.htm#7304705

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Well here I sit without a working tank, I ordered a receiver battery, switch harness and servo to test out my radio to make sure that is not the problem. The radio tested out okay and the servo worked in all channels. I fired off a email to Tamiya USA and their reply is:

Dear Tamiya Customer,

More than likely the radio system is the problem, we could not get our DMD tanks or semi trucks to work correctly with Spektrum radios. Furthermore, at the RCX trade show, we asked the Spektrum techs about the problems and they could not give us an answer. Now we're not radio techs at Tamiya America, but we suspect it's the digital controls and trims are the problem, the link below is the radio system (surface frequencies) we use in all our DMD control vehicles.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXEFJ4**&P=SM

Tamiya America
Customer Service

So I guess I'm out $290 and have to go out and but another radio. This is all rather frustrating and getting pretty expensive.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

I use a DX6i with my Tamiya Sherman so it should work?????.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

A large percentage of the DAK club members here in Phoenix use Spektrum radios with their Tamiya tanks. I even got my Polk Tracker III 8-channel transmitter (an odd 75Mhz digital radio usually used for submarines, which is why I have one) to successfully control several Tamiya Shermans. I did have to adjust some of the digital control settings in the radio's computer to get it to work correctly. But after that was done the tanks ran fine.

Tamiya may have said one thing, but I have seen these tanks controlled with my own eyes using Spektrum radios, so it definitely should work.. Do you have anyone local in your area that has a ground radio that could be tested with your tank (like a 75Mhz Futaba 4-channel radio which Tamiya gave you a link for)? If two different radio rigs fail to run the tank then I'd think the DMD must have a problem. Your Spektrum radio is better than the Futaba they suggest, so I wouldn't be too quick to dump your Spektrum. I went through similar crap with my Tracker radio after I first got it (including shipping the whole thing to the manufacturer once, then the receiver a second time), but in the end got it working.

I'm sure DAK guys like Jeff, StreetSquid and EDoubleAZ Ethan may be able to help you figure this out since those guys all run Spektrums with their tanks. Like you said though, expensive is right, that is why I have yet to officially participate in this hobby by getting a tank of my own.

Good luck with the KV-2! If all else fails you can use a few Russian Anti-Tank Dogs instead..:)

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Contact DAK and visit here: http://web.mac.com/ethandunsford/DAK2/Radio_Room.html

Relative to rc tanks, Tamiya USA is really only helpful for stocking and packaging tank spare parts for UPS delivery. :)

Virtually everyone at SCAT uses your radio or the earlier version to run their rc tanks, just do some more reseach.

Also use the forum search function here for your radio and you will find all types of tips to set it up to run your Tamiya tank.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Thanks guys for your supportive words, yeah Jeff from DAK graciously offered his assistance. Tamiya did agree to test the unit out so I’m sending off to them before continuing. I’ll keep everyone updated on the progress. I’m very anxious to get the beast operating, from the little I’ve gotten so far has put a huge smile on my face.

Due to the barrel’s diameter, would it be a good idea to put the emitter in there along with the flash and if so which should be where in relation to each other. I would like to set this tank up standard battle rules so if I ever get a chance to travel to a club battle, I’ll have a tank set up. I’m thinking a heavy tank with a short barrel should be good in a crowed battle field.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Alrighty then, after having the KV-2 sitting on the bench for several months I had a free afternoon to work on the radio once more. I tore everything apart reset everything to default and starting over from the beginning.

First up after binding the receiver to the TX, I started with configuring the DMD/MF-6 left stick control turret and Main gun with right stick controlling tank. First I tried Jeff489’s idea with setting the over travel on the DX6i throttle to +125 but slapping the stick or down fired neither the main gun or machine gun. Then I Pzjgr’s idea of setting the sub trim on the trottle to +55, Whoopiee, the main gun fires, with flash and recoil!!! Instead of adjusting the throttle trim all the way down, I just used the engine cut button to fire the hull machine gun.

Next was to get the tank out of neutral, but following the instructions of putting the down trim on the elevator all way down and moving the right stick down and back to neutral and re-centering the trim had no result. So taking a clue from main gun issue, I played around with the sub travel for the elevator, I found that setting the elevator sub trim to -30 worked with the above Tamiya procedure in getting the KV-2 into gear.

Success, I now have an operational tank!!! The brake light worked great at first but after a while it stopped working and I never could get the headlight to work but I’ll save that for some later tinkering, now on to getting the IR working.

I had Phil from RC Tank Wars do a massive upgrade on my HL Tiger 1 which included DBC-DBU IR Tamiya compatible Battle system. Fired up both tanks with them facing each other at about 4’ distance. I fired the MG on Tiger and the KV reacted however firing the MG on the KV had no effect on the Tiger. I originally plugged the IR LED to the CN-2 slot but that didn’t work so I tried the only other free 2-pin slot and that was CN-5 and that had no effect, so I put it back to CN-2 per the Tamiya instructions. I tried firing each tank at itself in the mirror but that had no effect, I wonder if these tanks are set up to ignore there own fire?

Any suggestions???

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

In order to test your emitter to make sure it's working: step 1 make sure your emitter is plugged into CN2 (you might have burned it out by plugging it into CN5). Step 2 is getting into test mode...on the DMD there are two switches next to each other, SW1 and SW2, you need to move both switches toward the communication cable connection. Step 3 is to make sure your apple is connected then turn on transmitter and tank. Step 4 is point the tank/emitter toward a white wall fairly close (1-3 feet), when you fire your battle unit receiver should light up. If it doesn't you either don't have the switches in the wrong position, emitter is not connected to CN2, apple is not secure correctly or your emitter/ir led is burned out. Hope this helps.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Thank you, I'll give that a try tonight, Phil gave a suggestion for the Tiger so I'll look at his idea as well.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Well, I'm glad you've had this problem for me to learn from. I have a Dx6i which I've never used before and I have a feeling I'm going to be scratching my head a lot.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

i'm not going too bag on any body's choice of radio, but why do you guys use the spectrum's? I can understand wanting more channels but with the 2 Futaba Skysport 2.4's and the 75 MgH. I have i have never had a problem. I never really needed to do much programing. Turn everything on and check function thats it. Now i do add fire control buttons on my radios, which then gives me 6 channels. The mod is so easy I just cant see the need for a more expensive 6 channel computerized radio. Is it just for the model memory? What is the advantage of using a 200.00 dollar radio, when a 99.00 dollar one works very well.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

That was a big help, Thank you. I did the test and no go, Phil suggested I try videoing the firing as I should see the IR light up, it didn't. So I guess I have to assume I fried the IR LEDwhen I tried it in CN-5[:@]

Does anyone know where I can get a replacement, is this something Karen at the Musem would carry?

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Chris,supposedly you can use any IR led and the only variable effects are the field of emittance
<div>http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_67...tm.htm#6736825</div><div>
</div><div>http://dettankcom.org/forum/index.php?topic=100.0. </div>

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Yep, if you ran the IR in CN5 it is fried. Go to Radio Shack and buy a new one. They are the same specs and only cost about $3.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

For me, I picked it because a lot of people seem to be using them, the idea of one radio needed for up to 10 different tanks/planes/cars what have you. It was a pain to set-up and I'm still tinkering with it but the ability to fire either MG or the machine gun with out having to play with the trim tabs is nice and as I'm ham fisted with a soldering pen, it's all done electronically.

RE: Need your help, Spektrum Dx6i and Taimya DMD
 

Witht eh fire buttons i add and alot of people do you dont need to adjust the trim tabs. That is done with wiring the switches too the proper posts on the gimbles. also with the Futaba 2.4 skysport, you can use the same radio with a s many tanks as you want. you just get the appropriate receiver for each tank and bind the transmitter too the receiver. Very esay. One radio and as many receivers as you like. I was just wondering if the spectrum or computor radios actually added some functions that cant be done on the Skysports. I love my 2.4 Futabas. And for 99.00 bucks I just feal that you cant beat that. thats all.