Sturmgeschutz III - don't do this at home, kids!

[WasatchViking]

It's the small two-wire connection that I can't seem to find a home for.

[keilau]

That wire that hangs down from the BB Shooting Machine? What does it plug into? I removed the wires to solder one of them and now I can't figure out what it plugs into. Doesn't look like there's a port for it on the main board.
Thanks!

https://www.banggood.com/Heng-Long-BB-Shooting-Machine-W-or-130-Motor-Pull-Back-Spring-for-3818-3819-1-or-16-Rc-Tank-Car-Parts-p-1381788.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

The BangGood listing is the simplest BB shooting system. The BB motor (130) plugs into CH10. It is the same port from TK-5.3, 6.0, 6.1, 7.0 to 7.1 MFU. There is a trigger motor at the back which has yellow wires in newer units that plug into CN6. On the BangGood unit, both pair of wires are black and red.

Show a picture of what you are working on for more concrete help.

[Rubicon99]

That wire that hangs down from the BB Shooting Machine? What does it plug into? I removed the wires to solder one of them and now I can't figure out what it plugs into. Doesn't look like there's a port for it on the main board.
Thanks!

There are a few different wires. Are you talking about the yellow set?

[WasatchViking]

https://www.banggood.com/Heng-Long-B...r_warehouse=CN

That wire that hangs down from the BB Shooting Machine? What does it plug into? I removed the wires to solder one of them and now I can't figure out what it plugs into. Doesn't look like there's a port for it on the main board.
Thanks!

[cpt.chaos canada]

Hi, I just found an older video about the StuG3.
Thought it might be interesting enough because a lot of you are detailing experts.
Here is a rare example of an original colored Stug3 in a museum.
Hilary Doyle shows StuG III G in amazing original condition | NACC Ft. Benning - YouTube

CCC

[SoCalBobS]

Your IR emitter has to be in a tube, and recessed 1cm or so from the mouth. Otherwise you'll be hitting everything in a 180 degree arc, including your own team.

[tank_me]

Thanks Bob. I have the LegoDEI also. So if I’m understanding correctly the sensor is glued in place?

Also how did you mount the IR bulb?

I use a little "Blu-tack" or something similar wrapped around the wires to the LED that keeps it from sliding into the barrel. Stays put when it needs to and easily removed for maintenance.

[SoCalBobS]

I just used a little silicone adhesive, enough to keep it in place. Easy to pull off.

[DevilDog77]

Thanks Bob. I have the LegoDEI also. So if I’m understanding correctly the sensor is glued in place?

Also how did you mount the IR bulb? Was thinking of using an LED holder glued in place like this


Good to know about the debonder

[SoCalBobS]

DD, your last question first: I didn't incorporate traverse. I use my tanks in IR battles, and there is enough "beam spread" to simulate the 10 or 15 degree swing. The IR bulb is in the barrel, about 1cm in from the muzzle.

Regarding mounting the IR sensor, it's a LegoDEI. You'll have to solder wires or otherwise make the connection with the main board. For placement in the Stug III's case, it's simply a matter of removing the hatch and placing the receiver in it's place. Most of Heng Long's parts are glued with some sort of CA, and a good debonder will allow you to remove the parts required. I keep the hatches just in case, but I've never found the need to reinstall them.

[DevilDog77]

I know this an old thread but have been referencing it for ideas and guidance while upgrading. SoCalBob would you mind posting pics and/or explaining how you mounted the IR sensor in the cupola?

Also has anyone added traversing to their Stug? Would appreciate info, pics, part #s etc….

Thanks

[DavidN]

For those members who want more details in your Stug III upper hull, you can get a kit from Takom and put it on top of your HL Stug III chassis. It also comes with a metal barrel, workable track links and suspensions.

[DavidN]

I got distracted. Let me put one of my pictures in so some of our members could focus back to the main topic :-)

[solo403]

Sorry guys. Didn't mean to go so off topic on a StuG III. My buddy wants a stuG III. He says it will make an excellent FLAME THROWER.

[solo403]

Hi ya Rubicon99. I absolutely understand and agree with you about quality difference between HL and Tamiya and the in-between brands BUT, you would not want to do to a 1,000 dollar Tamiya what we have in mind for these little tanks. We all got bored with laser tag along time ago.
See, we don't want to pretend to blow each others tanks up. We want to literally blow each others tanks up. Major and radical modifications that aren't that difficult or expense to do. Not crazy. HL tanks offer a Cheap to buy, cheap to REPAIR build platform for what we want to do.
Funny thing, my MOD obsession began with a Tamiya model many, many years ago. I no longer let my toys sit on a shelf, gathering dust. When you become bored with it, don't sell it. CHANGE IT! ALL TOYS ARE HOBBY GRADE TOYS with a little skill and imagination. Have fun, be safe.

[Rob1970]

Also bought a King Tiger from them (EU stock, so less hassle importing) and it arrived today, and I ordered LAST FRIDAY. Did the TMTR and found some trouble with the controller. Messaged them and they -IMMEDIATELY- offered to sent me a new controller. That wasn't needed after some trouble-shooting, but there was no question about it.

My further experience with this seller today; The problem with the KT's controller was the little plug that connects the two firing buttons to the main board inside the controller. Someone at the factory had tried to put it in the wrong way up, and redid it right. But the grabbing prongs on the plastic of the plug got bent and allowed the plug to wiggle loose. Fixed that, but the fit was not as snug as I would like. Rough handling of the controller would jostle it loose again. I told them about this and said I would see what happened during the test runs.

Today they sent me a PM on AliExpress asking me if the controller was holding up okay. Told them it was okay-ish but probably needed glue. And if they had any of those long metal hubcaps in stock... already lost one during the test run outside... Immediately got offered a new controller and a couple of those hubcaps as replacement. No fuss, no muss...

TTFN,
Rob

[Rubicon99]

Great input guys. thx much. I have bought from just about everybody over the years for all my RC toys and tend to be overly caucus when it comes to China sellers. Toucan shorted me on my first tank, but did make good. (took 5 weeks). Their shipping out of New Jersey was unbelievably FAST. Its why i gave them a second chance. Their communication and language translation was horrible.
To be fair, they probably would have completed the order and my tank would be on its way to me. BUT i don't know how much money I've lost in 40yrs of buying and it has made me a little paranoid . Buyer protection on PayPal and eBay are not what they use to be. Anyway, i have an email out to Heng Long asking about current US distributors and what is needed to become a distributor, cause their is a whole bunch of old farts here that have played with everything but these TANKS. None of us are willing to pay TAMIYA prices for them. Especially seeing what HL can do for a 3rd of their price. I also have an email to Banggood asking to increase their US stock of these tanks. (BG is ok once you learn their little tricks and you NEVER order China warehouse, unless you don't care when you'll get it.) i use to order a lot of parts from AliExpress, but in the time it took to receive parts, i had forgot what the hell i was building. LOL.
Well I'll keep browsing. I WANT THAT CUSTOM LEOPARD and i know Toucan prices are going to be hard to beat............Might have to eat crow and buy from them.
Thx again guys. Glad to see rc fellowship is alive and well on this site. I'll follow up if i get a reply from HL.

I am long time Heng Long tanker and BIG supporter. Please don’t think for a minute they are equally to what you get with a Tamiya tank because they simply are not. Tamiya tanks have far better engineering, run smoother and are more accurate. You are paying for a “Hobby Grade” tank when you buy a Tamiya. Heng Long tanks regardless of what sales gimmick metal “up grade” they add from the factory as still simply “Toy Grade” tanks. By the time you put the money into them with aftermarket parts to bring them up to true “Hobby Grade” they end up costing just as much if not more then a Tamiya tank.

Heng Long tanks have come a long ways in the last three years but still have a long way to go and right now the owners of Heng Long have no desire to move them past the simple “Toy Grade” they are now. Why? Because Heng Long is a TOY company not a hobby company like Tamiya.

Oh and Heng Longs Leopard regardless of custom grade is on of their least durable tanks. If you want a Leopard 2 below the cost of a Tamiya then look at the Torro/Taigen all metal hull ones. Toughest Leopard 2s on the market and at a reasonable starting price.

[solo403]

Great input guys. thx much. I have bought from just about everybody over the years for all my RC toys and tend to be overly caucus when it comes to China sellers. Toucan shorted me on my first tank, but did make good. (took 5 weeks). Their shipping out of New Jersey was unbelievably FAST. Its why i gave them a second chance. Their communication and language translation was horrible.
To be fair, they probably would have completed the order and my tank would be on its way to me. BUT i don't know how much money I've lost in 40yrs of buying and it has made me a little paranoid . Buyer protection on PayPal and eBay are not what they use to be. Anyway, i have an email out to Heng Long asking about current US distributors and what is needed to become a distributor, cause their is a whole bunch of old farts here that have played with everything but these TANKS. None of us are willing to pay TAMIYA prices for them. Especially seeing what HL can do for a 3rd of their price. I also have an email to Banggood asking to increase their US stock of these tanks. (BG is ok once you learn their little tricks and you NEVER order China warehouse, unless you don't care when you'll get it.) i use to order a lot of parts from AliExpress, but in the time it took to receive parts, i had forgot what the hell i was building. LOL.
Well I'll keep browsing. I WANT THAT CUSTOM LEOPARD and i know Toucan prices are going to be hard to beat............Might have to eat crow and buy from them.
Thx again guys. Glad to see rc fellowship is alive and well on this site. I'll follow up if i get a reply from HL.

[Rob1970]

Well, if you are willing to try AliExpress I can -highly- recommend this store; https://www.aliexpress.com/store/911...75d72e0efWY2CX

They are helpful, and got me sorted getting a Stug III running TK6.0. They have a good connection with the Heng Long factory and had the factory actually side-grade my Stug III from TK7.0 to TK6.0 (yes, I am weird... but I like the TK6.0 better). When they had the "upgraded" Stug they sent me picture to confirm what it had become and what they would send me. They also accomodated me by letting me pay partly on AliExpress and partly on Paypal direct to get an invoice showing less than 150 euros so I would not have to pay import duty on top of the VAT and custom fees.

Also bought a King Tiger from them (EU stock, so less hassle importing) and it arrived today, and I ordered LAST FRIDAY. Did the TMTR and found some trouble with the controller. Messaged them and they -IMMEDIATELY- offered to sent me a new controller. That wasn't needed after some trouble-shooting, but there was no question about it.

Anyway, that's my experience with this particular seller on AliExpress. Your milage may vary. That being said; tell them I sent you... They also informed me that if you do not find what you are looking for in their AliExpress store you should message them directly and they can tell you what else they can arrange for you.

TTFN,
Rob

[Sureshot]

I have had good luck with this seller on Amazon. Fast shipping and easy returns.

Modified TK6.0 Edition 1/16 2.4ghz Remote Control US M4A3 Sherman Tank Model(360-Degree Rotating Turret)(Steel Gear Gearbox)(3800mah Battery)(Metal Tracks &Sprocket Wheel & Idle Wheel) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BFGT9P5...02QHD2G0PRCMHM

Steve