Stock HL King Tiger conversion from TK 7.0 To ElMod

[clxsty]

Could someone please help me with converting my stock KT to ElMod (i.e steps, guides, parts, cost, etc.) I would like to keep the rest of the units and just replace the main board.

[Rubicon99]

Could someone please help me with converting my stock KT to ElMod (i.e steps, guides, parts, cost, etc.) I would like to keep the rest of the units and just replace the main board.

What additional functions/options are you attempting to achieve with the ElMod MFU? Depending on what they are there might be a simpler way to achieve theme that you are overlooking especially since you only have a basic stock KT.

[clxsty]

The sound on the KT is horrible. I definitely want that changed. Also isn't the Elmod able to be controlled via an app? That would be much better than a traditional RC.

[Rubicon99]

The sound on the KT is horrible. I definitely want that changed. Also isn't the Elmod able to be controlled via an app? That would be much better than a traditional RC.

First thing you will need is a much much better speaker. The HL speakers are crap and will do nothing for sound quality even if you go with an aftermarket MFU. So start there and you will be surprised at how improved the KT sound on the stock 7.0 becames.

Phone app to drive a tank? 🥴 Well if that's what you want, but it will not be as easy to drive and operate vs a traditional TX/RX combination. Drive quality is something the ElMod is known for and the Bluetooth phone signal will cause it to be sluggish in responsiveness.

If it's the cost of adding a TX/RX that is an issues look at a Clark system they are a fraction of the ElMod price and with the difference saved you can easily add a TX/RX to the price and still be under the price of the ElMod alone. Clark systems have excellent sound files and matched with a quality speaker have outstanding sound fidelity.

Personal I like both, but frankly speaking the ElMod is overkill for a stock HL KT. They are better suited to hand built custom tanks that have multiple features that need operating, things like servo recoil/elevation, main gun and mg flash, IR battling, custom drive settings, hatch opening/closing, lighting changes and so on.

[clxsty]

Putting Elmod aside, what would you recommend for Clark Systems for a KT?

[Rubicon99]

Putting Elmod aside, what would you recommend for Clark Systems for a KT?

There are several versions all with different options. Pick one that suits your need. Something in the middle range of their offerings is what I would look for .

[clxsty]

Ok then, thanks!

[clxsty]

Also what speaker would you recommend?

[keilau]

Also what speaker would you recommend?

The speaker from dklmrc.com is currently out of stock.

https://www.dklmrc.com/product/3dspfrs7s

You can get the VISATON FRS7S speaker driver from Parts Express and build your own enclosure using thin plywood.

https://www.parts-express.com/Visaton-FRS7S-8-2-1-2-Waterproof-Paper-Cone-Full-Range-Driver-8-Ohm-292-728?quantity=1

[clxsty]

Thanks, if there is a guide for the conversion process could you please put it here, it would mean alot!

[tank_me]

Thanks, if there is a guide for the conversion process could you please put it here, it would mean alot!

Unfortunately the documentation for doing a complete swap is severely lacking. There are so many different tank configurations out there, it is pretty much impossible to write a step by step guide to do the conversion. The first one will be a royal PITA, but once you figure it out another one goes much faster. Most of the functions of a Clark are toggled by the Sony remote so if you buy a Clark board, plan on getting a remote and either the programming wire or an apple to program it. Otherwise you can't program some servo operations, tank control functions, and weight class to name a few. For everyday use, I prefer the TK50S (Sbus) board. The TK80 has a few more functions, but for the most part I don't end up using any of those so the TK50 suits my needs just fine. The Flysky FSi6S radio works great with the Clark boards. If you use another radio, the support from the community will be lacking. You don't need the 10 channel receiver for the Flysky. The 4 channel one works just fine because of Sbus. A swap like this will require you to possibly do some soldering or crimping of new JST connectors. The Clark connectors are not the same as some of the HL ones. Personally I hate every JST crimper I've ever used so I use a little bit of liquid flux and I solder all the JST connector ends on. I only use the crimper to close the "ears" of the end around the cable.

[Tang - RC.Senshado]

For any swap of boards you'll run into needing to splice, crimp, or solder new connectors to make your Heng Long Tiger work with any aftermarket board and use all its functions. There is no way around it. No plug and play solution exists yet that covers most users because everyone's use is too different for a cookie cutter solution. It comes to a matter of figuring out what pin on what accessory goes to the new board and moving it to a compatible plug style. The diagrams are out there will outline the pins and ports for you for both Heng Long and the boards out there so that's the good news. For the most part, that's pretty universal but you need to get the polarity correct and get the correct connector so that it works on your new board. Many of them use an 8 pin plug for the upper hull functions to interface with the control board for example (turret, elevation, airsoft, MG LED, headlight LED) whereas how your Tiger is laid out right now each of the upper hull functions has an individual plug. So that's the big warning before you start this undertaking. If you are easily frustrated or want to be hand held you're gonna have a bad time. And consider that if you want to battle with your tank that would also mean purchasing another type of battle unit (receiver) that will work with the board you are using. Add to that the cost of a receiver and transmitter. But the nice thing about those is you can adjust the button layout and some of the driving parameters on that as opposed to on the board. That and they use way less battery and have better performance than what a stock controller can give you.

I'll say again that it's important you know the polarity of everything before you try otherwise you can short out your new expensive board. Don't just dive into it.

I think for most of your needs a Clark TK50 might be better. As another user said, Clark TK80 if you want some extra function, like the 2 x 15w speaker outputs. Tank_me highlights the user experience very well and your up front cost that you need to consider is the programming cable and universal remote, otherwise the board is not gonna be usable for you upon arrival. Do NOT buy your first Clark board without the programming solution. Poor documentation and lack of understanding beforehand leads to some negative reviews about that aspect from those expecting it to be ready to go after they got the plugs all correct. After that, most peoples reviews are based on their own personal needs and what the board does for them or doesn't. I think I have a dozen now and I battle with them frequently enough. I own IBU2 Ultimates, Elmod Fusion Pro, TK22, TK24, TK40, TK50, and TK60's.

I have an Elmod I got just to try out and it won't read through the USB cable for the life of me, so I got the Bluetooth adapter. After that nonsense I finally could program it but the steering and driving are funky and not to my liking. The driving mechanics are lousy if you want to battle with it to say the least. If you're just trying for a realistic driving tank it might be more appealing cause it has simulated "gears" and "shifting" but overall I dislike it cause there's many parameters you can modify but you can't turn off some "features" altogether. The amount of sound options you can add and how easy it is to access with the control scheme is quite pleasant though. The other thing I dislike about the Elmod ecosystem is you have to piecemeal adding on the battle function and overall it ends up costing 50% more than anything else if you add things up. That's my mini review lol.

[clxsty]

Thanks, also about the conversion process, on Clark's website there isa section on modifying HL tanks for the TK controllers but there is no link. Anyone know if there is something for that?

[Tang - RC.Senshado]

There is not one that I could find that showed that so I just watched random videos and pieced it together how to tackle it. But that's not transferable knowledge. If I had more time and motivation I'd make a video on the topic but right now my attention is divided.

[clxsty]

That's fine, anyone know when the Clarks are back in stock? They are out of stock on DAK RC.

[Tang - RC.Senshado]

They are back in stock for the TK50's which is the newest generation. Just talked to Kenny from DAK over the weekend about it. 80/60/40 and any other style is now older if you're wondering the differences. You will want the programmer too.

[clxsty]

Ok thanks!

[tank_me]

60 series has been out of production for years at this point as it was replaced with the 80 series. The 40s and 80s are still being produced and have the same ultra sonic (quiet) ESCs as the TK50. The TK50 does have better sound though and a wider range of speakers you can use with it. There are some other additional LED and MG LED functions the TK50 has added in the V2 and V3 versions. The upgrades of the TK50 are worth it for my purposes over the TK40.