Unofficial Coolbank M5A1 Stuart 1/16 Scale Light Tank Discussion Thread

[keilau]

It's proportional.

Is it done electronically? Or mechanically like the CVT? No matter how they do it. It is very, very impressive to have proportional steering without the cost of Heng Long "dual current" gearbox or Tongde's.

At US$127, it is an excellent value. (7/2 price. It may go up and down a few dollars everyday.)

https://www.banggood.com/COOLBANK-M5A1-1-or-16-2_4G-RC-Tank-Sound-Recoil-Shooting-Simulated-Vehicles-Models-RTR-Toys-p-2013149.html?warehouse=CN&poa=POA10747076&rmmds=fe ed-brand-topProducts&cur_warehouse=CN&ID=6291567

[tank_me]

It's proportional.

[keilau]

It's not like the single motor Tamiya clutch system. It's a dual motor system, but the motors are two different sizes. It uses a differential drive system and not servos like the Tamiya setup. It's like the PDGBS or the HL "dual current" gearbox. The large motor controls both tracks at once either forward or reverse. The smaller motor engages to stop or reverse a track making a turn. When you turn one gear manually by hand, the other gear turns in the opposite direction.

From your description, the Coolbank M5A1 Stuart RC tank does not have proportional drive control. It can turn left or right, but not running in larger diameter circle? The control is discrete only?

[MaverickTank]

It's not like the single motor Tamiya clutch system. It's a dual motor system, but the motors are two different sizes. It uses a differential drive system and not servos like the Tamiya setup. It's like the PDGBS or the HL "dual current" gearbox. The large motor controls both tracks at once either forward or reverse. The smaller motor engages to stop or reverse a track making a turn. When you turn one gear manually by hand, the other gear turns in the opposite direction.

That makes sense- a differential. Thanks for explaining.

[tank_me]

Wow. Read about how the Tamiya version worked DECADES ago. If this works in a similar fashion then we should be treating it with care. That system wasn't very resilient.

It's not like the single motor Tamiya clutch system. It's a dual motor system, but the motors are two different sizes. It uses a differential drive system and not servos like the Tamiya setup. It's like the PDGBS or the HL "dual current" gearbox. The large motor controls both tracks at once either forward or reverse. The smaller motor engages to stop or reverse a track making a turn. When you turn one gear manually by hand, the other gear turns in the opposite direction.

[MaverickTank]

Wow. Read about how the Tamiya version worked DECADES ago. If this works in a similar fashion then we should be treating it with care. That system wasn't very resilient.

[Sureshot]

Kind of like my early Tamiya Sherman only with a motor doing the clutches instead of servos.

[RichJohnson]

It’s a cross drive or dynamic transmission. They have many names but one motor drives it the other engages clutches for steering. The Henglong 7.1 system can be changed to a mode to run this type of transmission.

[MaverickTank]

It's apparently two motors. The other is under the plastic from what I've heard. The one you see is the steering motor. The drive motor is in the enclosure.

Hmm. I wonder if the steering motor slides spur gears across worm gears or something. If so, that certainly affects how aggressive I will drive it.

[tank_me]

SMOKE!!! It does smoke after all. I was doing range tests this evening and noticed wispy smoke curling out from under the rear deck. 😁

But, I definitely have radio problems. At 20' the signal is spotty at best.

Does anyone know how the steering works for this tank, since it has a single drive motor?

It's apparently two motors. The other is under the plastic from what I've heard. The one you see is the steering motor. The drive motor is in the enclosure.

[MaverickTank]

SMOKE!!! It does smoke after all. I was doing range tests this evening and noticed wispy smoke curling out from under the rear deck. 😁

But, I definitely have radio problems. At 20' the signal is spotty at best.

Does anyone know how the steering works for this tank, since it has a single drive motor?

[Houtje24]

I've ordered the 1/16 Stuart and the loose receiver board and transmitter in order to make a 1/6 scale Stuart working with that. The 1/6 is running now with a old Robbe Promars transmitter with a mixer on one stick that controls two Robbe Navy 540 compacts. I hope I can get these working with the new receiver board.

[Milspec1]

They make noise but no smoke

[Milspec1]

I have 4 Stuart's now and none of the smokers work.

[MaverickTank]

There are 2 small holes just above the exhaust diffusers. Hard to see after the diffusers are in place.

Steve. 😀

Thanks!!!

[Sureshot]

There are 2 small holes just above the exhaust diffusers. Hard to see after the diffusers are in place.

Steve. 😀

[MaverickTank]

I opened up my M5a1 today to see if I could figure out why the cannon elevation quit working and also to see what was up with the smoke unit.
As far as the elevation goes, I traced and unplugged and reconnected wires and never did get it to work. There is a circuit board in the turret that controls the elevation,recoil and muzzle flash that is connected to the main board so hard to tell if it is the turret board or the main board. It could also be the TX but I doubt it. I ordered a new main board to try from BG so will see in a month or so when it arrives.
The smoke unit functions fine but the voltage at the heater is only 2.6v so it is just not producing enough heat to vaporize the smoke oil.
I think the vape pens are 3.7v and the Heng Long units are more than that but didn't have one open to check.
Other than that I really like the tank. Sound needs to be louder but the speaker is so tiny not sure if that is possible. I had no trouble driving it in a fairly scale manner in forward but reverse is too jumpy and fast. It drives surprisingly well over rough ground and small hills.
While I had the tracks off I took a link out of each side and it looks and drives better.
Not a lot of spare parts available yet but we'll see what happens in the future. Maybe Motion will become a Coolbank dealer?

Steve 😀

Where do the smoker lines exit the hull?

[Sureshot]

I opened up my M5a1 today to see if I could figure out why the cannon elevation quit working and also to see what was up with the smoke unit.
As far as the elevation goes, I traced and unplugged and reconnected wires and never did get it to work. There is a circuit board in the turret that controls the elevation,recoil and muzzle flash that is connected to the main board so hard to tell if it is the turret board or the main board. It could also be the TX but I doubt it. I ordered a new main board to try from BG so will see in a month or so when it arrives.
The smoke unit functions fine but the voltage at the heater is only 2.6v so it is just not producing enough heat to vaporize the smoke oil.
I think the vape pens are 3.7v and the Heng Long units are more than that but didn't have one open to check.
Other than that I really like the tank. Sound needs to be louder but the speaker is so tiny not sure if that is possible. I had no trouble driving it in a fairly scale manner in forward but reverse is too jumpy and fast. It drives surprisingly well over rough ground and small hills.
While I had the tracks off I took a link out of each side and it looks and drives better.
Not a lot of spare parts available yet but we'll see what happens in the future. Maybe Motion will become a Coolbank dealer?

Steve 😀

[MaverickTank]

Well, I oopsed and posted my comment in the M5 Stuart thread instead of this one. So, rinse and repeat.

Anyone have transmitter issues? The connection intermittently cuts out even at short distances.

Beyond that, I am very impressed and am definitely considering purchasing other Coolbank models.

[Max-U52]

As documented in earlier post by SoCalBobs.
The elevation of the main gun came back in mid-position after firing and releasing the control.
I like my riding my tank when theirs horn are up high !
In any way shape of form ; any ideas/suggestions to fix this? (beside swithing electronic)
I though at some point using glue on the gun mantlet.
Thank You RC tank Community !!

RC tanks Australia used to have a little ad on board that would fix this problem and leave the main gun in whatever position you want to leave it in. I'm not sure it would work with a coolbank tank or if they even still make it but I think I'll have to look into that. I like to keep the main gun in a slightly depressed position but that's just a personal preference.