RC Mini Panzer Tank with working suspension by daddyboomalati

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

Update: I added some exploded views to help out with assembly.
You will probably have to do a little sanding or filing to get the parts to fit smoothly, but not much.
I used thick CA glue to hold the torsion bars in the suspension arms.
I then used a thick Shoe-Goo type adhesive to temporarily hold the turret in place.
If you use exactly the servos I spec'ed they will fit with no modification.
Use the round servo horn and it will bolt right into the drive sprocket. You may have to drill the holes; I can't remember.
Here's a link to the collection on Tinkercad where I designed them: https://www.tinkercad.com/users/0qErfn882fE-daves117
Video Here: https://youtu.be/Ofxbj3s3f3A
I wanted to build a servo-driven tank but, couldn't find one with a working suspension. I designed this off of a Panzer III, and it has a pretty realistic suspension. This was started on my Monoprice Select Mini, hence the size.
You will probably have to do a little sanding or filing to get the parts to fit smoothly, but not much. I used thick CA glue to hold the torsion bars in the suspension arms. I then used a thick Shoe-Goo type adhesive to temporarily hold the turret in place.
I plan on adding a rotating turret, and possible an elevating gun barrel, but I'm taking a break for now :)
All you need to get this thing going is a simple radio with at least two channels. I use a Spektrum DX8, but it's overkill. You can operate the servos on two different sticks, or use mixing. I have mine all mixed to the rudder and throttle (left) stick with AUX1. That way the right stick will be free when I add motion to the turret.
My mix for operating it is:
Throttle>Rudder -85% -85%
Rudder>Gear (Aux1) -80% -80%
Throttle>Gear (Aux1) -85% -85%
The reason it is not 100% is that you want to be able to turn at full throttle, so you need to leave some room, the extra 15%.
Parts list:
Continuous-rotation servos: Fitech FS90R. (The digital version would probably be better). https://www.pololu.com/product/2820
Battery: Any 2S Lipo around 200 mAh. This battery runs for like 30 minutes.
BEC: https://www.readymaderc.com/products/details/rmrc-5a-power-regulator-5-to-6-volt-ubec
Camera-any little all-in-one will work. I cannot find where I purchased mine, but I think it is this: https://www.getfpv.com/fpv/cameras/lumenier-super-mini-5-8ghz-fpv-transmitter-600tvl-camera-dipole-antenna.html
Tracks: Lego Technic 34 Link Treads: https://www.amazon.com/Lego-Parts-Tread-Large-Technic/dp/B01MD1RCTL/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1536950168&sr=8-7&keywords=lego+tank+treads.
4mm Hardware; 4x16 for the wheels. I used some very small screws I had from a micro helicopter. You may have to alter the files for bigger screws, or just go at them with a Dremel.