Open Panzer
Open Panzer Help & Info => Show and Tell => Topic started by: johnnyvd on January 27, 2018, 11:26:16 AM
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Hi,
For all that are interested, my current build of the Asiatam FAMO Sd.Kfz. 9.
I plan on using two Hobby ESC's and 1 servo for steering. I'm building this for someone else who asked me to assemble and paint it for him.
The following features will be added:
- Openpanzer TCB + 2x Hobby esc's
- Benedini mini or micro for sound
- 3D printed electronics box under bed
- 3D printed combined speakerbox/hood ventilation actuator
- ON/OFF switches, charger jack etc. etc. in the side toolboxes
- Airbrushing and weathering of the complete model
Attached a picture how the unit arrived!
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Very cool, too bad you dont get to keep it!
I was thinking if I ever finish the T-35 I would like to get one of these, print the armored cab for it and make the version with the 88 on it.
Look forward to seeing it move!
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Hi Dean,
Yes, i wanted it really bad.. I even offered him a lot of money. But he didn't budge..
But as a reward for finishing it for him i got a really nice SU-152 project ;)
Ok, one of the things i ran into was the limited space i have to work in.. Between the frame i designed a 3D printed electronics "box".
And after 3,5 hours printing i discovered i got a dimension wrong :o... 3,5 hours later a new one.. Fits like a glove..
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Yes, the limited space in that model is one of the reasons I would make the armored cabin, Gives some more wiggle room for placement of components.
That enclosure looks nice, what printer are you using?
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I'm using a Anycubic i3 Mega. Nice unit. Dirt-cheap and OK resolution for constructive parts..
Print size max is 200 x 200 x 210 mm..
Current material is 1.75mm Black PLA.. The i3 has a heated bed, so i will try ABS next time..
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Nice, the whole T-35 is ABS actually.
If you want to use that material, I would recommend an enclosure depending on how cold the surrounding area is. I simply used 6 of the foam interlocking garage mats assembled into a cube around my Makergear M2. This keeps the temperatures around the part higher to reduce warping.
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I noticed that the surrounding temperature is of big influence on warping. I use a brim most of the time around my products to prevent it.
The "insulation" case is a good concept! I will keep that in mind when i start building my "Maker-tower" for my CNC mill and i3!
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I'm happy to see someone putting a TCB in a halftrack! I actually have never owned one but I added several features for halftrack drivers which hopefully will be useful - you can be the first to report back and let us know.
I love that FAMO. It is no longer sold and I wish I had bought one years ago when they were available, but as I recall they were rather expensive. It looks like Asiatam still has the Opel LKW which is also a very fine model, but just a regular truck. A few years from now I will no doubt wish I had bought one of those too... ::)
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It would be great if somebody would make such a kit again like the FAMO, but i would prefer the SdKfz9 with the 88 and armoured cab like Dean said!
(i would be in trouble again with the dual ESC's but, hey! Nothing beats an 88 on board!)
And my advice: if you want an Opel now you should buy one.. They are gone before you know!
In the mean time my work on the Halftrack: Benedini Micro with SdKfz7 sound
The Micro pumps out quite some volume i must say! Visatone FR7 in, yes, an Apple Syrup can..
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That's so nice of you to do, John. I'd love to see it when it's finished! Will you keep updating this thread?
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This weekend i had some time to work on the proportional smoker.
The Openpanzer has a real nice way of controlling the speed:
The smoker has a manifold on top 2 in 1 flexible hose to the back and the 1 to 2 for the exhaust pipes
Only thing i have to find out how much current the heater is drawing so that the TCB can control it TOGETHER with the fan..
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Its Alive!! :o
Still a lot of work to do, alignment of tracks and wheels.. But that has nothing to do with the TCB..
Had to tone down the steering stroke of the front servo. Did it by adjusting it on the transmitter (Radiolink AT9 + R9D receiver) Probably possible on the TCB biut i will try it out later ;)
Driving and steering is a dream (apart from the tracks derailing due to misalignment) it has a very realistic turning radius.
Other stuff that i have to take care of is the proportional smoker.. Having both the heater and the fan proportional is not what i was looking for..
So, full power to the heater is the way to go. Now i only have to find a way to switch it on and off with the TCB... Relay? Onboard motor driver?
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Other stuff that i have to take care of is the proportional smoker.. Having both the heater and the fan proportional is not what i was looking for..
So, full power to the heater is the way to go. Now i only have to find a way to switch it on and off with the TCB... Relay? Onboard motor driver?
You could use either approach - the onboard motor driver would require no extra equipment but the setup will be more complicated. In that case you really only want the motor driver to be all on or all off. To accomplish that you'd want to define an on/off switch on your transmitter as an "analog" channel in OP Config (yes, even though the channel on your transmitter is only on/off, still set OP Config to analog channel). Then you can map that aux channel to the "Motor A or B - Manual Control" function. Now when you flip the switch the motor driver will go from full on to full off, and this can drive your heating element. But of course you'd probably like to have it come on automatically with your smoker, and that will probably involve some mixing in your transmitter.
You can get cheap relays on eBay that will plug directly into one of the A or B Input/Output ports (http://openpanzer.org/wiki/doku.php?id=wiki:tcb:tcbinstall:io_ports_ab). Here is a module that works well and only costs a few bucks: Keyestudio 5V Single Channel Relay Module (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Keyestudio-5V-Single-1-channel-Relay-Module-Board-Compatible-for-Arduino/391482158123?epid=850645894&hash=item5b2627ac2b:g:hcEAAOSwIFtaOwAW)
Because turning the module on/off is a digital function it will be much easier to assign it to the same digital trigger that you use to turn your engine on/off (or the smoker on/off if you want to have manual control of it), so you could do all the "mixing" as it were in OP Config without needing to mix anything in your transmitter.
If you don't want the space of a relay board you can also have one of the I/O ports switch a MOSFET or transistor instead, a sample circuit is provided on this page of the Wiki (http://openpanzer.org/wiki/doku.php?id=wiki:tcb:tcbinstall:accessories). That's probably more work than is really necessary.
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Thank you for your tips. I bought the type in the attachment.
Now is just wonder how to switch it on. The three pins are marked VVC GND and IN.
5V on the VCC + GND show "power on" and i guess any positive signal will switch the relay?
So, +5V on VCC and IN will switch it?
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Do you have a link to the product? That might be useful, I can't see the relay side.
To control it you will want to connect the VCC, GND and IN pins on the relay to the -, + and signal pins of one of the GP I/O ports on the TCB. Unfortunately the order is not the same so you won't just be able to plug and play directly with a standard servo lead as you would with the units previously recommended. You can still use a servo lead but you will have to swap the +/- pins so everything lines up, double-check your work!
Then in OP Config on the Lights & IO tab set the general purpose I/O A or B (whichever one you're using) to Direction = Output and Type = probably Default Low but you might have to experiment, that's where the documentation for the device would be useful. Then assign some trigger to the appropriate function to control it.
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Thanks Luke,
Call me stupid, but i completely forgot completely about the GP I/O connections.. My head was with the servo and motor drive outputs....
Then something interesting: Asiatam is selling the FAMO kit again!
Famo kit on ebay (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ASIATAM-Famo-Vollmetall-1-16/142719095267?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D06125d7a27884b8a8006d288838802d6%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D162194370251%26itm%3D142719095267&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851)
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No, don't tempt me!
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Then in OP Config on the Lights & IO tab set the general purpose I/O A or B (whichever one you're using) to Direction = Output and Type = probably Default Low but you might have to experiment, that's where the documentation for the device would be useful. Then assign some trigger to the appropriate function to control it.
Luke, i managed to get the relay connected and switched by the "smoker on/off" switch i assigned (aux 5 in my case) but i now have a problem: The smoker starts when "engine starts" but i don't have a way to switch the External output on the trigger when the TCB starts the smoker..
So now i have a switch that enables/disables the smoker, but this switch only sets the condition for the TCB to NOT start the smoker when engine is starting.. I do not have a trigger to let this event also switch the relay of the heater element of the smoker..
Do you understand what i mean?
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If I recall correctly, you are letting the TCB control the smoker fan as usual: "Auto (with engine speed)." So there is no need to enable/disable the smoker, let the TCB handle it.
What you wanted was to have the heating element come on at full strength (rather than proportional) whenever the smoker was active. You are using a relay to control the heating element. Since the smoker will automatically come on whenever the engine is turned on, you should assign the same trigger source you use to turn your engine on/off to also control the relay (you can assign more than one function to the same trigger).
Let's say you have Switch X on your transmitter that is assigned to the Engine Turn On and Engine Turn Off functions. Just assign the same Switch X to the External Output Turn On and Turn Off functions. When you turn on the engine you will also turn on the heating element, and as for the smoker fan the TCB will handle that automatically when the engine is turned on.
If I've misunderstood your setup maybe try to explain it again.
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100% correct.. And i completely understand that i could just let the TCB handle all smoker related stuff..
But smokers consume a lot of current, and sometimes you don't want the smoker to be on at all..
So, an option would be to install a mechanical switch to turn off the smoker completely, but i hoped it would be possible with the "smoker off" event..
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Ok, I will think through this out loud. First we start with the setup I just described, this takes care of the smoker and heater element in normal operation.
Then, to manually disable both the smoker and heater at will, assign a switch on your transmitter to the Smoker Enable / Disable functions, and assign that same switch to the heater relay on/off functions.
But I suppose this wouldn't work entirely very well. When the smoker is manually disabled the fan will not turn on regardless of the engine status, because the TCB knows that you have disabled the smoker functionality. But the TCB has no clue that your relay is also related to the smoker. The heater element will always turn on when the engine is turned on, because that is a trigger you have defined, and you would have to always remember to manually toggle the smoker disable switch after the engine is started in order to turn the element back off. That sounds like a recipe for forgetting and burning out your heating element.
This is probably what you were trying to explain to me originally which I have only just now understood.
So yeah, this gets complicated and although we have solved the issue of automatically turning on a heating element to full power, when you try to combine that with an at-will disabling of the smoker functionality, we run up against some limitations. I believe you could actually solve this problem with some programming in your radio transmitter if yours allows it, but I will leave that up to you...
Otherwise it would seem we have reached some limitations of what the TCB can do. We have gotten rather far afield from the original design parameters so that is to be expected. To resolve this would require some changes to firmware and off the top of my head I'm not sure even exactly how it would best be accomplished. Because this is such an esoteric use case I will probably not be inclined to pursue it though I will at least give it some thought while I'm trying to fall asleep tonight.
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Johnny, just FYI in the latest firmware release posted yesterday I've included new "digital" functions for turning on/off the Motor A or B outputs (http://openpanzer.org/wiki/doku.php?id=wiki:tcb:operation:functionlist#onboard_motor_controllers). If these outputs are not being used for the turret control, you could use these new functions to create in essence high current digital switches (up to 2 amps per output), voltage equal to battery voltage. If your heating element for example drew less than 2 amps you could use one of these outputs and save yourself the extra wiring of a relay.
I know that doesn't solve your latest issue but thought I'd mention it as an alternative for anyone considering a relay for their project.
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Thanks Luke, i saw it mentioned in the release announcement.
but i decided to drop the relay thing altogether. The whole project already became a real wiring "hell" so for sake of simplicity i dropped the extra wiring and leave the smoker completely to the TCB.
Now for the progress, I made some nice access hatches in the side for on/off switch and charger plug. Which can be closed with a wee little handle. Also some matching cargo hatch hooks..
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And of course i tidied up all cable routing so everything would fit nicely under the cargo bed..
I also closed the gearbox to keep the cables getting mangled between the gears.
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It's nice to see some build photos of this unique model, which are not very common. Your friend is very lucky for you to be doing all this work for him!
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Did some small airbrush tests to check what colour seat would fit the best.. Decided on reddish..
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And the biggest challenge was that the owner of the FAMO wants the hood-flaps opening when the engine starts.. Printed a nice 3D frame to fit dual servo's underneath..
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And today i finally finished the bugger and crammed all the stuff underneath the bed.. Did some last tuning and changing settings for the sound.. And now begins my favorite bit... Painting!
First started with de-greasing the whole thing and masking some parts.. Then pre-shading with black primer from Vallejo..
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Yesterday started to airbrush the FAMO with the MIG modulation set for Panzergrau.. 4 layers in all and with final highlights.
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And today dirt, grime, damage and details. Added a lot of dust and dirt in the bed and in the cabin (those germans with their dirty boots ;D) But kept rust and chipping to a minimum as per request of the owner ;)
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The final moments are near.. I mounted the tracks and did some final testing..
But some minor issues surfaced.. Due to my 35% settings on steering, the Famo is going straight, although the wheels are steering :o
(this can be followed in another thread)
Also, i could not keep myselves from adding some more rust ;D
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Finally finished. Here the latest foto's of today.. Still needed to do some software tweaking but the owner was so enthousiastic (and i'm going on holiday for a week) that he wanted to take it home..
Next project: King tiger with openpanzer TCB, Benedinin mini and acoustic smoker. Painted in the "Superking" camouflage scheme! This one will be heavily weathered..
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Looks great! And congrats on being the first person to my knowledge to use the TCB in a halftrack. I'm still hoping someday to see someone use it in a boat.
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Hi,
got a Famo too.. ;D
Will get the next days and install a TCB and Open Panzer Soundcard.
Cheers
Jürgen
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Hi Jurgen. If you need the 3d files of the speaker holder or the TCB/battery box i can post them here!
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Hi Jurgen. If you need the 3d files of the speaker holder or the TCB/battery box i can post them here!
Great!
Good Idea - please do it - thank you!
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Here you go, for all the (future) owners of an Asiatam FAMO.
You will find the Battery/TCB box for a 7.2V Nimh Tamiya Style battery, the TCB and a TARR MK1 & 3 smoker. Including lid. The enclosure for a Visaton FRWS 5 and Benedini micro. The enclosure beneath the bench for a R9D receiver and the frame for two SG90 servo's for moving the hoodflaps.
This is my contribution to the openpanzer community, Good luck!
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Thanks for doing that Johnny! It's been great having your involvement here, you've identified several bugs and have helped make the TCB better, and this kind of sharing is just the thing we hope to encourage. I appreciate it very much.
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My pleasure.. i think this is what it is all about.. sharing all the info we have and helping each other out. Just the way you have done all the time Luke!
Time to start new projects and share the stuff i design.. Take a close look at the Acoustic smoker. That will be up next..
I will probably do some revisions on the Famo parts in the mean time to enhace the design. I will post them here. The other stuff will show up in the specific "show and tell" pages!
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Congrats. Gr8 model here :) I like Famo's.
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Thank you for the Files!
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Hi,
did a Famo Soundset for Open Panzer Sound Card.
Send per Mail to Luke.
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Thanks Jurgen. I've posted the Zip for download on the GitHub here (https://github.com/OpenPanzerProject/Sound-Files/blob/master/SoundSets/OpenPanzerSoundCard/Famo_SdKfz.zip). Navigate to that page then click the Download button.
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Hi,
attached a Picture of my TCB with Open Panzer Soundcard.
The Sound Card ist heavy modified to fit with less space over the TCB.
The FrSky XM is soldered direct to he TCB.
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Hi Jurgen, i'm very curious on how your Famo will look like with the electronics crammed in!
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Hi Jurgen, i'm very curious on how your Famo will look like with the electronics crammed in!
Hi,
here some Pictures....
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Looking good! ESC's under the rear bench is see? What type are these? looking much smaller then the HobbyKing XCar 45A i crammed in..
And not using my 3D files for the FAMO? Shame on you! ;)
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Hi,
this are Hobbywing 18A Bushless .... ;)
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Hello,
Project is still in progress.
I build now two Famo! :o
The second one with 6to Bilstein-Crane..
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Wow, nice work! Where did you purchase the second one? Did asiatam have some in stock?
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Wow, nice work! Where did you purchase the second one? Did asiatam have some in stock?
Hi,
Asiatam have much Famo´s in Stock...
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Hi,
some "Brasswork":
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Looks great, jhamm
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Hi,
currently state:
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Just to give some updates on the original thread. I recently got the FAMO back on my workbench to FINALLY update the firmware on the TCB.
I must say this works really great!
As you may or may not know i had some problems getting the front wheel steering aligned with the tracks steering and the stroke of the servo had to be limited to only 30%.
Then it turned out that the turning radius of the FAMO was as large as the CERN hadron collider so this did not work out.
Luke then added the option to set the steering servo limits just like the barrel elevation option and this just saved my day!
Thanks again Luke! I will post a movie tomorrow of the FAMO racing over my shopfloor!
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Hi,
i confirm the option for steering servo is the goal for Famo.
The real Famo have had a wide turning radius arrond 10m.
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I also implemented the transmission option. One of the three position switches now determines forward-neutral-reverse
That is the "clicking" you hear all the time (the video starts with my cat's greeting meaow)
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Very cool, I love the synchronized engine flaps! Thanks for reporting back on the steering, I'm glad to know it works. I'm curious, what percent of steering command have you copied to the tracks? It doesn't look too aggressive, which is probably good for realism. If you haven't already, you might also want to experiment with the three turn modes, you may find one works better than the other. I like to assign them to a 3-position switch so I can experiment on the fly.
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And if this all wasn't enough, see what turned up in my workshop a few days ago..
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bshOQyATJJuCB-PEq15NjhYa2GGuJc7NyR8XxFuwSuRuDMoBJf4jk54WklKK3M0NxYgjZHdJjvhnV3lwL2a3XqUZ17R8wIrFCCmrsN3cCaemLHBIFHSL98NFrDOlyqTrWmK8tZIptMjIFk_AgKVHWAtTPRue0tkSEEraaT0ulw2dyyG2PooaLyQ8iwqd9SBXYq6ITHHlGOn7DNsY8srFkJUZzToGEjPqUdZlWdHZI0ELL4Huc1W4wnpZ9l4FSSNlZPgrm_INSzoaUsYMZtNFfkbyMDuLuvQcG5n3nsZgCrXCskDj3aSlIoMt8pgBU4Vl3nVexq50GBB8u26l2fgRgjDOO22KxGWmrjbFZq9lTfFVLo9zfY945W_XuuYbAF2aPG4tS3XFbTCDm64MkT2BVWTLNL0MHkDR5uZGyMkv8iycObkYNKak4sxZumdZAFua5fTX4yvH6WbTsl4O63yvhOWonQI1W7vEv8PRLzXuZrbhD3AADevmhW9Td0V7ZISI7upGA-DcTkQf52-_L8Gp_72EZXBWEudoSVOCf_Q0I0HjgYuOjv-qM5krBc353mIpX3cX91OqlZYHVnVb_aGdSBlOaGFNIB2amMqkt7EwKmYL-uzPZ0nS_KeWYVDeosPE6jWcrKQm8awtGEb-rCQTAxZrcKVwBxYTuc3lCXDjBtu-eTbg9X5ZnLY=w1697-h888-no)
Guess how much work the Openpanzer will have to do..
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I will be curious to see your progress! At least the gun appears to be stationary...
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At least the gun appears to be stationary...
But not for long! I ordered a Merit 1:18 to get the details right and the Metal Denix gun is already broken down in smal pieces to make it fully articulate.
This also incorporated recoil etc..