Metal vs plastic tracks

[Woohoo\o/]

Hey commanders, what are the pros and cons of metal vs plastic tank tracks? Is it really worth the upgrade? I have a heng long tank with plastic tracks. My buddy has a pro version with metal tracks. I’m new to tanks.

[Evan D]

I prefer the upgrade versions with metal treads sprockets and wheels. I do have a plastic King Tiger and it runs really well too.

[keilau]

Hey commanders, what are the pros and cons of metal vs plastic tank tracks? Is it really worth the upgrade? I have a heng long tank with plastic tracks. My buddy has a pro version with metal tracks. I’m new to tanks.

Both metal and plastic track should run fine indoor on smooth surface. If you enjoy running your tank outdoor, you need better tracks.

I am not a fan of the Heng Long metal track. The HL metal track design has single pin, open pin and hollow back side which runs and looks unrealistically. I have hybrid or metal tracks on all my other Heng Long tanks. The metal track are either Tamiya, Hooben, Mato or Torro. More expensive but well worth the extra cost.

The left picture is the Heng Long Pershing metal track with hollow back side. You can CA glue 1/8" rubber block to fill the hollow as in the middle picture. The right picture compares the open pin HL plastic track with the close pin Hooben nylon track for the Merkava.

[Rubicon99]

Both metal and plastic track should run fine indoor on smooth surface. If you enjoy running your tank outdoor, you need better tracks.

I am not a fan of the Heng Long metal track. The HL metal track design has single pin, open pin and hollow back side which runs and looks unrealistically. I have hybrid or metal tracks on all my other Heng Long tanks. The metal track are either Tamiya, Hooben, Mato or Torro. More expensive but well worth the extra cost.

The left picture is the Heng Long Pershing metal track with hollow back side. You can CA glue 1/8" rubber block to fill the hollow as in the middle picture. The right picture compares the open pin HL plastic track with the close pin Hooben nylon track for the Merkava.

This^^^^.

Plastic vs Metal debate largely depends on how you use your tank. I run both types because some tanks just run better with plastic and some I have need to be more durable metal do to the terrain I run on.

With metal usually comes the need to start upgrading to bearing supports, more powerful motors and steel gear gearboxes if you do not already have them as the metal tracks tend to have more "grip" and this causes a little more stress and need for power when turning.

[Woohoo\o/]

I’m going to upgrade soon. Thank you.

[keilau]

I’m going to upgrade soon. Thank you.

Which Heng Long RC tank do you have? @Rubicon99 will have a good recommendation for you. He is a walking encyclopedia.

[Woohoo\o/]

Merkerva mk4. Upgrade version from motion.

[keilau]

Merkerva mk4. Upgrade version from motion.

https://matotanks.com/product/mato-116-merkava-iv-tank-metal-tracks-sprockets-idler-wheels/?srsltid=AfmBOoqeA1BGe1BPCemZC1f5Puw0wQeOCZwyqOX4n QgCFdO9-XR_j6Jz

Amazon.com: Mato 1:16 Merkava IV Tank Metal Tracks, Sprockets, Idler Wheels : Toys & Games

The metal upgrade will add significant weight to the Merkava. It runs better with the higher torque 390 motor and ball bearing gearbox.

[Woohoo\o/]

3 questions.

1- I just ordered the 390 motors from motion. What are the bearing sizes I need?

2- what’s the largest battery that will fit in the new battery compartment?

3- is the Abrams battery compartment the same? My friend is receiving his soon and would like to know.

:)

[Evan D]

The bearings are for the output shaft of the gearbox. I forget the size on the Merkava. I have a 2s 3000 LiPo I use and I took out the “battery box” and just lay it is there. The opening is small. My Abrams had the large underside battery opening.

[keilau]

3 questions.

1- I just ordered the 390 motors from motion. What are the bearing sizes I need?

2- what’s the largest battery that will fit in the new battery compartment?

3- is the Abrams battery compartment the same? My friend is receiving his soon and would like to know.

:)

1. On bearing, go to this thread:

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-cars-tanks-trucks-and-more/rc-tanks/372484-drive-shaft-bearings-for-henglong#post372819

You cannot change the sleeve bearing to ball bearing on the gearbox. You need a new gearbox with ball bearings.

2. The Merkava is limited to 2S18650 LiIon with built-in protection circuit. I recommend the Admiral battery pack from MotionRC. Avoid LiPo battery which is much cheaper, but lack protection circuit.

3. There is 2 different designs of the Henglong Abrams. The newer version uses the same size battery as the Merkava.

The older Abrams uses 2S2P18650 or 6 cells NiMH. It can be identified by the long battery cover access from the tank bottom.

[Evan D]

There are a few that are afraid of LiPo's. I'm not. I have about a hundred that I use in my airplanes, helos, car and tanks. If you know how to treat them they are great in the tank. In the tanks that have the large under side battery compartment I use 5200mAh 2S LiPo's that I have a dozen of for my 8S airplanes. They fit perfect and one lasts all day. The Merkava and newer Abrahms use a smaller battery box. I took the box out of mine and these fit perfectly. 3000mAh get s me a full afternoon of running. Note I also use different connectors. I had bought a tube of the bearings and I think the thread linked above has what I used in the Merkava.

Amazon.com: PCEONAMP 2S Lipo Battery 3000mAh 25C with T Plug Rechargeable High Capacity RC 7.4V Battery Fit for RC Cars 1/10, 1/12, Scale RC Cars Trucks with 2 USB Chargers（2packs） : Toys & Games

[keilau]

The topic of battery safety had been addressed many times. It is not about normal operating conditions. It is about safety when something malfunction which can happen to any electrical equipment.

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-cars-tanks-trucks-and-more/rc-tanks/362026-the-basic-about-heng-long-rc-tank-battery-packs

Some old timer will use only NiMH pack. I like Lithium battery for the longer constant voltage during discharge in use, but I insist on packs with built-in protection. Actually, I build my own battery packs using protected Li-Ion cells.

[SoCalBobS]

Motion RC sells a full size 7200mah li-ion pack that fits in the underside battery compartment. It also fits in most large tanks that are now designed with torsion bar suspension, requiring access from the main compartment. Heng Long tanks have a low voltage cutoff, which eliminates over-draining the battery.

[Woohoo\o/]

This is great information. I sent this to my buddy also. Thank you.

[Woohoo\o/]

He received his abrams and loves it but doesn’t know how to access the battery. He suspects it’s from the front but doesn’t know how to open it. The manual shows the old version.

update: he figured it out. There’s a button near the seam by the “glacis” plate.

[keilau]

He received his abrams and loves it but doesn’t know how to access the battery. He suspects it’s from the front but doesn’t know how to open it. The manual shows the old version.

update: he figured it out. There’s a button near the seam by the “glacis” plate.

It sounds like he received the newer version Abrams. There is a small latch at the middle junction of the front end. Move it to the right and the cover will popup.


He can get the 2S LiIon battery pack from MotionRC:

https://www.motionrc.com/products/admiral-3500mah-2s-7-4v-li-ion-battery-with-xt60-connector-adm6024-016

[Woohoo\o/]

How does one fill the smoke oil? I haven’t figured it out on my merkerva and he has no clue on his Abrams.

he found his but I seem to be having trouble finding this in my manual.

[cmdrcody]

You put the included small funnel onto the end of the eyedropper, turn yourn tank onto its side with the exhuast port tube upright and add a couple of drops of the exhuast fluid into the exhuast tube. Let the tank stay in that position for about five minutes to be sure the exhuast fluid has gone all the way into the smoker unit.

[Evan D]

Pg 13 of the instructions.