Tamiya 1/16 Centurion build and field test.

[mikeronie]

I have made a couple of mods to the Centurion. After seeing Rubicon99' tank I decided to add the on off switch under the rear vent. I also place the on off LED indicator under this vent, drilled a hole so it is visible. While working in that area I noticed there is a very large opening that may allow dirt to enter the tank. Using sheet styrene and rubber cement I closed off that area. Also following Rubicon99's recommendations I placed a 8.4V hump back battery as far forward as I could. I installed a after market Tagan small speaker. Since the battery is not easy to remove I added a Remote Recharging Jack Cable from East Coast Armory. The remote jack can either reach to the removal rear deck or out the drivers hatch.

[Rubicon99]

Saw your more elaborate post over the other forum, sorry the tracks didn't work well. I had high hopes on these, only concern was the stress on the idler, I did;t think about specs being off to cause issues with pebbles, lifts, and offsets. That's simply too bad. Appreciate your sharing of the negatives, didn't really expect that from DKLMRC.

I did not expect it either. Someone mentioned the tracks might have been in development for the Haya Centurion and just happen to fit the Tamiya sprockets. The Tamiya Centurion was kind of a surprise release. DKLM did have these tracks designed and in production rather fast for the Tamiya aftermarket unless they were already in development for someone else. Has me thinking ...... ????

[sclui56]

Saw your more elaborate post over the other forum, sorry the tracks didn't work well. I had high hopes on these, only concern was the stress on the idler, I did;t think about specs being off to cause issues with pebbles, lifts, and offsets. That's simply too bad. Appreciate your sharing of the negatives, didn't really expect that from DKLMRC.

[Rubicon99]

Well testing of the DKLM metal tracks did not go so well. They have issues clearing dirt/sand and getting small pebbles jammed in sprocket wholes that cause the track to override the sprockets. This happens frequently and is not something that the tank can self right. It is also an NOT an issue the Tamiya tracks had.

Second issues is the guide teeth hit the center “axle” area of the return rollers cause a very unpleasant grinding sound as the tank moves forward and an even worse grinding sound as the tank moves backwards. The “hit” is so bad that it even loosened two return rollers and required some repair work to them.

At this time I would not recommend the DKLM metal aftermarket Centurion tracks to anyone that drives their tank in soft soils (dirt, sand, light mud).

[Rubicon99]

Non weathered loose test fit on tank. Also a short video of the tracks running during fit testing is up on my Instagram @ fsttanks.

[DavidN]

I look forward to see in person how you try them out this Saturday. I will probably start building my Centurion in August.

[sclui56]

The metal DLKM tracks have arrived and will be installed shortly. They will be tested on my tank trials course and in the next IR tank battle day in San Diego on July 31.

Excellent, hope to get some feedback on whether you find the idler+support are sufficient for the heavier tracks.

[761st]

Looks good. I lke the color and detail. Well done.

[Rubicon99]

The metal DLKM tracks have arrived and will be installed shortly. They will be tested on my tank trials course and in the next IR tank battle day in San Diego on July 31.

[oldwolf]

Just an update on the metal tracks from DKLM. Sadly there appears to be a set back. DKLM website clearly indicates “in stock” but apparently they are not available which is a bit misleading. They are only available for pre order and you must pay in full including shipping up front ~$200.

DKLM indicates this WELL below the item listing of “in stock” that the tracks will not be available until mid July which really means these day more like mid August....LoL. Then factor in two weeks before they even ship them and then the “black whole” that is China Post and maybe we will see the tracks sometime in Oct 2022.

Sorry about the bad news, I was looking forward to doing a full test and review on them as I know a number of you were looking at them as well and waiting to see what I thought.

I would recommend NOT ordering them at this time unless you want your $200 tied up for an extended period.

Hmm, sounds like the stock that is in is the stock of metal they intend casting the the track links from, lol. The good news is the stock Tamiya track is holding up well so far, so no rush on the metal ones. Thanks for the update.

[Rubicon99]

Just an update on the metal tracks from DKLM. Sadly there appears to be a set back. DKLM website clearly indicates “in stock” but apparently they are not available which is a bit misleading. They are only available for pre order and you must pay in full including shipping up front ~$200.

DKLM indicates this WELL below the item listing of “in stock” that the tracks will not be available until mid July which really means these day more like mid August....LoL. Then factor in two weeks before they even ship them and then the “black whole” that is China Post and maybe we will see the tracks sometime in Oct 2022.

Sorry about the bad news, I was looking forward to doing a full test and review on them as I know a number of you were looking at them as well and waiting to see what I thought.

I would recommend NOT ordering them at this time unless you want your $200 tied up for an extended period.

[sclui56]

Thanks for sharing the additional info re weight on your sample, and with the type of driving you generally do, I think at some point you will flush out the issues if any. I think this is a new enough model that parts shortage won't be a problem, just need to be sure there are spare tracks available. Thanks for the info.

[Rubicon99]

Rubicon99 Have you figured out how to strengthen the idler mount yet now that the metal tracks are up for pre-order? Thanks.

I don’t know if it will be needed 🤞 until I have the tracks in hand. The idler mounts have been rock solid and trust me I have abused the hell out of the tank and tracks over the last five months.

My Centurion is very heavy as I added a larger heavier 6000 9.6v NiMh battery and extra metal internal weight to the tank for better balance and handling. The metal weight i added is roughly the same as I suspect the new DKLM metal tracks add to the overall “sprung” weight of the tank. The weight I added has put “similar” stress to the track idlers and transmission that will be seen in turning and power needs when the metal track is added. I suspect I will be able to remove my added weight once the new metal tracks are on and thus have a net zero gain in overall stress being put on the idlers and transmission.

So if I what suspect is correct, I don’t see that there will be any immediate issues with the idler design. But time will tell. 🤞🤞

The tracks are available now on DLKMs website. They have 11 in stock at the time of this post. EXPENSIVE when shipping is added, but DLKM tracks are usually worth every penny.

[sclui56]

Rubicon99 Have you figured out how to strengthen the idler mount yet now that the metal tracks are up for pre-order? Thanks.

[Rubicon99]

I took the centurion out on another slightly more than 3 scale mile run on my woodland paths. It is all done and having side skirts on made no difference in the amount of debris the tracks captured: practically nothing. Clean up afterwards was a breeze. As with the first run a few days ago, performance was exemplary. My challenger 2 with dklmrc metal rubber pad track almost always pulls in something that jams it and needs to stop and be cleared doing the same paths. It seems to be unusually grabby track. Maybe I should get some tamiya track for their leopard 2 and put it on my chally. See if it improves its operation.

Great to hear your Centurion is running good. 👍👍

The Tamiya Leopard 2 tracks are a big improvement over the DKLM tracks. Don’t get me wrong the DKLM are good but the Tamiyas are 75% lighter, just as strong and a little less “sticky” so the tank turns easier and tends not to pick up a lot of debris.

[oldwolf]

I took the centurion out on another slightly more than 3 scale mile run on my woodland paths. It is all done and having side skirts on made no difference in the amount of debris the tracks captured: practically nothing. Clean up afterwards was a breeze. As with the first run a few days ago, performance was exemplary. My challenger 2 with dklmrc metal rubber pad track almost always pulls in something that jams it and needs to stop and be cleared doing the same paths. It seems to be unusually grabby track. Maybe I should get some tamiya track for their leopard 2 and put it on my chally. See if it improves its operation.

[oldwolf]

Actually, the G.B.C. system button setting seems to be for barrel stabilization. I ran a picture of the Japanese characters that seemed o be describing that function through an online translator and that is how it was translated. Naturally it would need hardware that doesn't come with the centurion but might come with the Abrams.

[Rubicon99]

No, I mean the travel lock for the barrel, to keep it from bouncing around. Gadget on the corner of the rear deck.

Now that you mention the Abrams though, I wonder if they will have downloadable configuration files (mostly a sound set, I imagine) for people who want to get DMD 11s to install in their older models?

Got it the hull travel lock.👍👍

The Abrams does not use the DMD11. I am sure though that Tamiya has “target lock” in the 11 programming along with barrel stabilization and it just needs to be activated. The 11 is the newest system that the foreseeable future releases🤞🤞 will be coming with.

[oldwolf]

No, I mean the travel lock for the barrel, to keep it from bouncing around. Gadget on the corner of the rear deck.

Now that you mention the Abrams though, I wonder if they will have downloadable configuration files (mostly a sound set, I imagine) for people who want to get DMD 11s to install in their older models?

[Rubicon99]

Barrel lock? I must have missed that in the control setting. Is it a “target lock” feature. The Abrams and Type10 have a target lock feature but I did not see this in the DMD11 manual.