HL Challenger 2 and short transmission range.

[gadget228]

Got the Heng Long Challenger 2 a couple weeks ago from Motion RC and finally had a chance to try it outside and all the functions work as they should but the range is only about 15 feet, took the back cover off the transmitter to be sure the antenna was hooked up and it was along with the receiver. Anybody know of a way of telling which unit is bad, receiver or transmitter ?

I haven't contacted Motion yet about it, afraid that they will want me to return the tank for a exchange and I really don't want to do that.

[SoCalBobS]

We conduct a very sophisticated test (kidding!). We use the process of elimination; bind it to another Heng Long transmitter and see the results. If you, or someone you know has one it's really easy to do. Unfortunately I don't know of any other way "in the field".

[keilau]

Got the Heng Long Challenger 2 a couple weeks ago from Motion RC and finally had a chance to try it outside and all the functions work as they should but the range is only about 15 feet, took the back cover off the transmitter to be sure the antenna was hooked up and it was along with the receiver. Anybody know of a way of telling which unit is bad, receiver or transmitter ?

I haven't contacted Motion yet about it, afraid that they will want me to return the tank for a exchange and I really don't want to do that.

It is definitely not normal. It sounds like that it is your first and only tank. The first thing to check is the tank battery and the total voltage of the battery in the transmitter radio. Let us know how they measure.

[gadget228]

I don't know anybody else around me that has a radio so that option is out, the tank battery is at 8.4 -8.5 volts and the radio has 6 new nimh 1.2 volt battery's in it and their running 7.88 volts. I wondered if nimh's would be too low of a voltage but Motion RC recommends using nimh's in the radio.

[SoCalBobS]

Never used Nimh's in my transmitters. definitely try some Alkalines.

[keilau]

I don't know anybody else around me that has a radio so that option is out, the tank battery is at 8.4 -8.5 volts and the radio has 6 new nimh 1.2 volt battery's in it and their running 7.88 volts. I wondered if nimh's would be too low of a voltage but Motion RC recommends using nimh's in the radio.

6x1.2V is low for the radio transmitter. NiMH rechargeable is not ideal since its voltage drops rapidly. Any regular non-rechargeable AA battery of 1.5V each is required. Yes, I tried.

Alternatively, you can use 3 pieces of Lithium Ion 14500 rechargeable. You will need to modify the transmitter battery compartment to bypass the last 3 slots. (You don't need to open the transmitter.)

I did that to all my radios. The 11-12 volts total is safe and works very well, but no higher. Use only name brand Li-Ion. Many of the cheap off-brand Li-Ion does not have protection PCB and are unsafe to use.

[keilau]

If you do not want to do soldering to the HL radio transmitters, non-rechargeable lithium battery is highly recommended. They starts out at above 1.8 volts and does not drop below 1.5 volts at end of battery life. Energizer (not their alkaline battery which leaks) Lithium is best known and very good quality, but very expensive at over $3 per cell. There are good quality, cheaper choices.

[gadget228]

I'm using EBL nimh batteries now but going to replace them with the same batteries that your using, I ordered some this morning off of EBL website and unfortunately their coming out of china so it will be awhile before I see them. I do want to keep the transmitter stock so if needed I can use other batteries so just going to fill the last three batteries slots with dummy batteries.

[gadget228]

I am curious to what would happen if I were to connect the receiver antenna to the tank's external antenna, I installed a 18 wire slip ring so it would have 360 rotation and a FPV camera in the turret and have one leftover wire. Would it improve or worsen reception ?

[keilau]

I am curious to what would happen if I were to connect the receiver antenna to the tank's external antenna, I installed a 18 wire slip ring so it would have 360 rotation and a FPV camera in the turret and have one leftover wire. Would it improve or worsen reception ?

It uses 2.4 GHz with the short antenna tailored to it. Lengthening the antenna will worsen reception. Don't take my word for it. Test youself and let us know.

[keilau]

I'm using EBL nimh batteries now but going to replace them with the same batteries that your using, I ordered some this morning off of EBL website and unfortunately their coming out of china so it will be awhile before I see them. I do want to keep the transmitter stock so if needed I can use other batteries so just going to fill the last three batteries slots with dummy batteries.

I got my EBL non-rechargeable lithium battery on Amazon. It is much cheaper than the Energizer lithium battery. As prime member, I get it shipped same day too. BTW, EBL battery are usually cheaper on ebay or on Amazon than from EBL Official website.

[gadget228]

I wanted rechargeable battery's and ended up paying $17 for four 14500 with shipping and taxes, Amazon had rechargeable ones in 1.5 volt but I would had to buy a seperate charger for them.

[keilau]

I wanted rechargeable battery's and ended up paying $17 for four 14500 with shipping and taxes, Amazon had rechargeable ones in 1.5 volt but I would had to buy a seperate charger for them.

14500 are 3.7V rechargeables, don't use more than 3 at any one time. 4S 14500 will be more than 16 volts and can damage the transmitter.

HL transmitter needs 9 volts to work properly, is spec to have 12 volts capacity. I use a intelligent charger for the 14500 which terminates charging at 4.1 volts. I actually cheat a little with 12.3 volts when cells are fully charged. I have not get into trouble yet.