RC Tanks Australia Forum

Hi All,
It is now only a matters of hours before Asp goes back into production and pre-orders will open. So I guess it’s time to have a look at what is new with Asp2. HOWEVER, since many of the new features of Asp2 are also available with an update of Asp1 I have included a list of those here as well.

New Features – Asp1 with Update & Asp2:

• 2 additional sound banks added. Asp now has 6 user sound banks
• 2 additional gun options. 3rd machine gun and additional main cannon fire option added to give 6 gun fire options.
• Ability to turn on or off the reload complete flashing of the LEDs
• Aux light output now affected by battle damage. Dims with increasing damage
• Invulnerability mode* added. Total of 17 IR battle modes/vehicle types now available
• Extensive editing of IR battle parameters and sound EQ with the new Radio Edit Mode. Includes both visual (in conjunction with a MANTA LCD) and audio guides.
• Testing mode now accessible via radio at startup
• IR battle setup now reported in testing mode.
• IR battle parameters and sound EQ also able to be changed by editing the “irsetup.txt” file of the new IR Battle Logger unit.
• Update process made simpler with a new Chrome app. 1. load the update file into the app, 2. select the com port for the update cable and 3. press Program.

New Features – Asp2:

1. New main processor allowing for more control over outputs:
• Reverse light now controllable
• Improved motor control
• Microswitch input and Sirvoe/LCD output no longer linked
• Expansion port added
2. Improved power supply that generates significantly less heat when using 3 cell LiPos
3. Increase from a 5V @ 3 Amps output to a 5V @ 4 Amps output allowing the connection of more servos. NB: This is for the separate 5V supply the main motors runs using the battery voltage and the motor driver chips are capable of a 30 Amp supply.
4. Improved layout – Airsoft/IR select switch now located at the board edge. Additional outputs for Head/Rearlights*, Machine gun, 5V supply, Battery Voltage supply, Airsoft motor. 360° turret connector.
5. Recoil motor connector now switchable between 5V for the new IMEX airsoft recoil units and battery voltage for existing motor recoil units
6. Head/Rearlight can be dimmed with increasing battle damage
7. JST-ZH connectors added for update ports and smoke unit controller add on. No soldering of wires, or worries about bad connection or wrong polarity.
8. A recoil servo can now be connected direct to the JUNO board. No need for additional sirvoe board. HOWEVER, for full user control a sirvoe board is still recommended.

Features still in development:

IR battle logger – Using the readily available OpenLog boards and software users can get a log of all of their IR battle details. The loggers are cheap (less than $10) and readily available since their uptake by the quadcopter community as a form of “Blackbox Flight Recorder”. For increased functionality these loggers can also be used as a means of editing the IR parameter’s using a simple text file. Already implemented for Asp1 & 2 an OpenLog board can be connected to a Piranha at startup and the IR battle parameters transferred.

Serial Wireless – Like the case above with the OpenLog board the Remora concept is being overhauled to make use of the readily available and again inexpensive serial wireless transceivers now readily available.

Cheers
KG

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rctanksaustralia.com

hi kevin I love the new features and the fact that we can soon order the new asps , just wondering when you might have some new interface cables for updating the asps back in stock.

Sid

Excellent! Thank you

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HL M41 Bulldog
Torro Late Tiger I
Taigen KV-1

Wish List:
Torro KingTiger
Panther F or G
Taigen T34-85
Super Pershing

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rctanksaustralia.com

I only wanted to buy one at first, test it for a while and then maybe buy another two for my tanks... But finally I bought two and Im beggining to regret not buying three today, lol.


So hope to put my hands on it soon, thans for your effort and hope you can make a cheap programmer for us.

Hi Rad

You bought two - I will try and remember to send you a spare programmer lying around here.

Thanks
KG

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rctanksaustralia.com

A little offtopic here. Does the ASP programmer cable work for the RC5HL? I have never updated it and also would like to take a look to the different operation options that it has.

Technically yes. But you have to know what you are doing.

Both the RC5HL & all of my RCTA boards can be programmed using an FTDI breakout board. HOWEVER, the setup between the two is different. On all RCTA boards the RX and TX are INVERTED.

So if you buy an FTDI Breakout board from a reputable source (like Sparkfun) you can simply match the output of the FTDI to the programming inputs of the RC5HL and perform your update (non-inverted RX & TX).

To update RCTA boards you use the FT_Prog utility to invert the RX and TX and then match up the pins (RX, V0 & TX). Instructions are on the forum)

Problems occur IF YOU GO CHEAP and get a counterfeit chip from eBay. Sometimes they work but most of the time you are not able to invert the RX & TX and sometimes nothing works at all. This is how people come to think the process is difficult because things don't work with cheap counterfeit chips.

It is not hard and it all works very reliably and very well. After all I can be programming chips with these board up to 100 times a day.

Cheers
KG

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rctanksaustralia.com

Great, when you send me the ASP cable then I will try to update the RC5HL. If I have more questions about it I will open a thread in the right forum section. I still use that little board a lot

Thanks!