Merkava stops dead.

[unCriticalscar]

Gidday from NZ folks,
I have an upgraded Merkava and for some reason since I installed the metal tracks it just wants to stop.
As in stop dead. Not the normal shutdown. It has more lights and is carrying a metal Trophy APS upgrade, but other than that it is basically now the same as the Super Merkava that H/L sell.
TK 7.0 and running 1800 mAh stock batteries.
Any thoughts?

[quitcherbitchen]

Get rid of the stock batteries.

[keilau]

Gidday from NZ folks,
I have an upgraded Merkava and for some reason since I installed the metal tracks it just wants to stop.
As in stop dead. Not the normal shutdown. It has more lights and is carrying a metal Trophy APS upgrade, but other than that it is basically now the same as the Super Merkava that H/L sell.
TK 7.0 and running 1800 mAh stock batteries.
Any thoughts?

1. Check the battery output voltage. The HL OEM battery is very low quality. You should replace it ASAP.
2. If battery is good, unplug all the MFU connectors and reconnect them. Use a jumper to short the on-off switch.
3. If it runs, check and replace the on-off switch.
4. If step #2 does not work, you may have dead ESC on the TK7.0. Replace the TK7.0

[tank_me]

I had two HL batteries that were basically dead the first time they were charged. Since I don't use them in tanks it was no big loss. I was going to use them in my Flysky transmitter which is why I even tried to charge them. Instead I removed the XT60 connector/wiring and they will be recycled as the smart charger told me there were issues with the packs. A good smart charger for Li-Ion batteries is a good investment over the HL USB charger plug especially if you get higher capacity batteries.

[keilau]

I had two HL batteries that were basically dead the first time they were charged. Since I don't use them in tanks it was no big loss. I was going to use them in my Flysky transmitter which is why I even tried to charge them. Instead I removed the XT60 connector/wiring and they will be recycled as the smart charger told me there were issues with the packs. A good smart charger for Li-Ion batteries is a good investment over the HL USB charger plug especially if you get higher capacity batteries.

It is important that you get a name brand smart charger with USB-C PC link. The smart comes from the charger's software. I use a SkyRC iMAX B6mini. My cheap version SkyRC may have been discontinued, but later version can be had for not much more. It is one of the best investment that allows you to monitor the condition and status of your battery packs and very fast charging.

Avoid off-brand iMAX B6 chargers which often comes with non-functioning software. The SkyRC iMAX B6mini is at the low end of quality smart charger, but more than adequate for RC tank use. If you want fancy charger, the sky is the limit.

[keilau]

Surprise! Surprise! You can still buy the original SkyRC iMAX B6mini at very good price from BangGood. This SkyRC charger supports relatively high charge current (e.g. 3.0 amp at 7.4 volts for 2S Li-Ion) in a small package. It is very important to have the cooling fan that this SkyRC one does. I connect it to my desktop Windows10 PC for all setup, programming and battery status.

Original skyrc imax b6 mini 60w 6a balance charger discharger with power supply for lipo li-ion life nimh nicd battery Sale - Banggood.com

[quitcherbitchen]

I still would only charge li-ion at 1.75 amps to extend their life.

[keilau]

I still would only charge li-ion at 1.75 amps to extend their life.

It is a very prudent choice and exactly what I am doing with the charger.

The Heng Long Tk7.0 MFU stops when the battery pack voltage drops below 6 volts. I set the charger to stop charging at 8.2 volts. The settings give the packs extra life cycle and still allow a full day's run using my DIY 2S26650 or 2S2P18650 packs. They are 5000mAh and 6500mAh respectively.

[keilau]

When I visited the banggood.com website recently, I found more than half a dozen of the off-brand iMAX B6 chargers at half the price of the original SkyRC iMAX B6mini. They have one thing in common, no PC connection for monitoring charging and battery status. Those are dumb chargers with no intelligence built in. Not recommended.