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wiki:tcb:tcbinstall:ir [2016/04/02 02:16]
opadmin [IR Transmitter] |
wiki:tcb:tcbinstall:ir [2019/04/19 21:25]
opadmin [A Note About IR and Slipring Turrets] |
| When the fight/repair switch is in the **Fight** position, full battery voltage is applied to the IR transmitter through a 3.3 ohm resistor. Although we don't know the exact specifications of the Tamiya IR LED ([[https://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=7255030|Item #7255030]] from the [[https://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=53447|#53447 1/16 Tank LED Battle System]]), we can be sure that 3.3 ohm allows much more current to flow than the LED is rated for. However, over-driving the transmitter LED is how Tamiya is able to produce such long distances, and because the signal duration is very short, we can get away with some overcurrent. | When the fight/repair switch is in the **Fight** position, full battery voltage is applied to the IR transmitter through a 3.3 ohm resistor. Although we don't know the exact specifications of the Tamiya IR LED ([[https://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=7255030|Item #7255030]] from the [[https://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=53447|#53447 1/16 Tank LED Battle System]]), we can be sure that 3.3 ohm allows much more current to flow than the LED is rated for. However, over-driving the transmitter LED is how Tamiya is able to produce such long distances, and because the signal duration is very short, we can get away with some overcurrent. |
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| We conducted a test with the stock Tamiya LED connected to the TCB and powered by a Tamiya 6 cell Nicad. The Tamiya cannon protocol was fired once every 45 seconds, aimed at another TCB 40 feet away with a stock Tamiya apple. After several hours over 500 shots were fired and each one registered a hit. So although we are over-driving the LED, there should be little risk of burning it out. We tested lower values but found they would severely reduce the life of the LED. For example, with a 1 ohm current limiter the Tamiya LED would burn out usually before the 100th shot. | We conducted a test with the stock Tamiya LED connected to the TCB and powered by a Tamiya 6 cell Nicad. The Tamiya cannon protocol was fired once every 45 seconds, aimed at another TCB 40 feet away with a stock Tamiya apple. After several hours over 500 shots were fired and each one registered a hit. So although we are over-driving the LED, there should be little risk of burning it out. We tested lower values but found they would severely reduce the life of the LED. For example, with a 1 ohm current limiter the Tamiya LED would burn out usually before the 100th shot. Ironically, the Tamiya MFU appears to be using a 1 ohm current limiter. |
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| If you flip the fight/repair switch to the **Repair** position, then an additional 1k (1,000) ohm resistor is added inline to significantly reduce the range of the IR transmission. You will need to get quite close to the tank you are repairing for the hit to register. This also prevents you from repairing enemy tanks on the other side of the battle-field. But remember, as soon as you fire that repair signal, whether the tank you are aiming at receives it or not, your tank will be immobilized for 15 seconds! So be sure you position yourself correctly before hitting the fire button. | If you flip the fight/repair switch to the **Repair** position, then an additional 1k (1,000) ohm resistor is added inline to significantly reduce the range of the IR transmission. You will need to get quite close to the tank you are repairing for the hit to register. This also prevents you from repairing enemy tanks on the other side of the battle-field. But remember, as soon as you fire that repair signal, whether the tank you are aiming at receives it or not, your tank will be immobilized for 15 seconds! So be sure you position yourself correctly before hitting the fire button. |
| Without the actual specifications of the Tamiya LED we can never be sure of an exact replacement. But the price difference of the alternative could make it attractive for clubs to buy them in bulk and distribute them for sanctioned battles. | Without the actual specifications of the Tamiya LED we can never be sure of an exact replacement. But the price difference of the alternative could make it attractive for clubs to buy them in bulk and distribute them for sanctioned battles. |
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| If better alternatives are found through additional testing, they will be posted here. | ===== A Note About IR and Slipring Turrets ===== |
| | Some tanks, notably Taigen brand, use an electrical slipring to pass signals to the turret but still allow the turret 360* rotation without tangling wires. Unfortunately, these sliprings are electrically noisy and if you run the IR reception wires through them, your tank will almost certainly confuse this noise for false hits. If you run the IR transmission wires through the slipring you may find that your hits are not transmitted correctly. In short, if you wish to use IR functionality in your model then you should not use sliprings. |