RE: electronic markers [TANKS]

["Steve Tyng" <STyng-at-ACPTrust.com>]

Joris wrote:

> Just wondering, are those actuators the ones used in cars 
> doors?

Yes

> If so .. why are there types with 2 and 5 wires and 
> which ones do I need.

I am using the two wire version.

> And what is needed to get them 
> work? Just putting 12v on the wires enough?

Yes but not for to long.  Some have burned their actuators out by
keeping them energized for to long (several seconds or more). This is
easy to do if you use a toggle switch or joystick on the Tx to fire
with.  I use a push button I wired into my Tx.

> addition: just found some information about connecting those 
> things in a car. Looks like the 5 wire ones are also used to 
> control the others and a pulse of 12v is closing or opening 
> them. So when a shot is fired two pulses are send?

Only one pulse.  I use a return spring to reset the actuator.  The
marker trigger itself may be enough to push the actuator back.

> Found some opening / closing times of 0.2sec max. Thats at 
> least 2,5 shots a second ... don't think a normal tank could 
> do that.

I can get 2 to 3 shots per second out of the Cromwell.

> Is it allowed to shoot that many times a second?

Currently, yes.

> (thinking auto firing solution, pulses made by a NE555 every 
> 0.2sec,  40 bullets and 16 seconds later just have to find a 
> way to get those balls into the gun :)

The rules do not allow automatic fire.


Steve Tyng