Heng Long King Tiger Build with IR conversion

[BcuriousR]

I plan to take some time with this build. So, I'll update as mods and details are added.
We'll start with the plan: The goals is to build an IR battler for the FRAG RC Tank Club battlefield that can model a build on a budget for beginners. So, I bought this 6.0 King Tiger with steel gears, 360 rotation, and Airsoft with Recoil. While a stock 6.0 can be built to battle without recoil, I thought I'd see what could be done with a slight budget upgrade. Thus, this KT will have servo recoil on a 6.1s board, (I'll sell the 6.0 to make up some of the cost.)

Step 1: speaker upgrade: This is a Visaton FRS-7-4 (4ohm 2.5") speaker in a 3D printed enclosure in place of the smoke unit. (I prefer sound over smoke). While the stock speaker is 8ohms, I've never had a problem using a 4ohm on a Heng Long motherboard.

[BcuriousR]

Step 2: Servo Recoil.
I gutted the airsoft unit, then cut off the useless lower half.

With very little whittling, I was able to fit a 9g servo in the remaining husk.

The servo has some minor wiggle. It could be glued in place. As these servos can fail, I chose to print a small bracket to help hold it together.

The final assembly: Okay not final. I still need to thread the IR bulb and IR restrictor into the barrel.

I then printed some spacers to fit the stock recoil arm on to the servo

Let her rip!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPAsUEXijvc

[TokyoRC]

Good stuff!

I am about to remove the airsoft unit from my Heng Long T-90. I want to remove mine so there is room for a high capacity battery. These T-90’s, while looking cool with their low profile, have quite a cramped hull.

What did you use to cut the bottom half off with?

[BcuriousR]

Good stuff!

I am about to remove the airsoft unit from my Heng Long T-90. I want to remove mine so there is room for a high capacity battery. These T-90’s, while looking cool with their low profile, have quite a cramped hull.

What did you use to cut the bottom half off with?

Just a plain old hacksaw.

[TokyoRC]

I was going to use my dremel, but a hacksaw sounds like a quick and easy way.

Thanks!

[UltraVargen]

Great work!

[BcuriousR]

IR Receiver base and wiring day. I printed a receiver base, then built a wiring harness.

The parts:

The completed receiver base and MFU wiring for receiver and lights (uses LegoDEI receiver)

Installed in the cupola:

[BcuriousR]

Lots of paint work. I tried oil paint filters and sponge chipping.

[BcuriousR]

The finished model.

The Servo recoil in action.

https://youtu.be/XDHULqwn2WI

[UltraVargen]

Excellent work BcuriousR !

I'm currently looking at speaker options for my tiny Panzer III, but find conflicting information on what ohm the Heng Long sound drivers are. Some places I read 4 ohm, others I read 8 ohm. It seems that aftermarket speakers can be found in both. Also I read having the wrong ohm speaker can damage the sound driver in the long run.
On the other hand: The max watt of the speaker doesn't seem to matter?
So the question is: Does it any of this really matter in case of a Heng Long board?

By the way, I like your servo recoil, but is it possible to make the retraction a little longer? I'd think it'd look even more realistic on such a big gun. :)