OPEN PANZER TCB User manual

QUICK START GUIDE
View this Guide online for hyperlinks!
openpanzer.org/tcb_quickstart
1. Install USB Drivers: The TCB requires genuine FTDI drivers which are
available free from FTDI. See openpanzer.org/downloads for more.
2. Install OP Config: Download the Windows installer file from the
openpanzer.org/downloads page, then install. If you already have OP
Config it's always a good idea to update it to the latest version (within OP
Config go to the Help menu and select "Check for Updates").
3. Test: Plug the TCB into your computer using a standard Micro-B USB cable,
make sure Dipswitch #5 on the TCB is in the On position (this specifies
communication over USB) and OP Config should be able to connect.
4. Flash the Latest Firmware: Your TCB board will come with firmware
already installed, but it's always a good idea to use the latest release. In OP
Config go to the Firmware tab, click "Get Latest Release", and then "Flash"
to your TCB.
5. Install the TCB in your Tank: the TCB will require at minimum a few other
items to be useful, including a hobby radio and a receiver capable of
outputting a PPM, SBus, or iBus signal, as well as speed controllers for the
main drive motors. See the Wiki for details on these items and more.
6. Radio Setup: One of the first things you should do after you connect your
receiver to the TCB is run through the Radio Setup routine in OP Config.
This lets the TCB know how many channels your radio has and of what
type each channel is. A how-to video is available in the Wiki.
7. Start Tanking! That will get you moving but there's no end to the other
things the TCB will let you do. Browse through the rest of the Wiki to learn
more.
More Resources
Wiki – openpanzer.org/wiki
Forum – openpanzer.org/forum
Get involved – Write a review in your favorite forum, answer a
question in ours, post a how-to video, make a
donation, or best of all contribute some code!
Board Rev 23 2018.01.16
OPEN PANZER TCB
(TANK CONTROL BOARD)

CONTENTS
1 – Tank Control Board
1 – Red/black cable (JST-XH) – TCB power cable. Solder to your
battery connector of choice, or wire into your tank’s power
circuit, or just use your existing Heng Long/Taigen power
harness to power the TCB.
3 – Red/black cables (JST-PH) – use to make your own LED
assemblies, but remember to use resistors!
1 – Yellow/black cable (JST-PH) – use to connect data signal to a
Sabertooth controller
1 – Long servo cable – use to connect a PPM, SBus or iBus receiver
3 – Short servo cables – use to connect a Benedini TBS Mini
1 – 3-pin plug (JST-XH) – use to convert a Taigen High Intensity
Flash Unit for use with the TCB, see the “High-Intensity Flash”
page in the Wiki for more information including an
instructional video.
Plus – Standoffs and screws for mounting
Board Rev 23 2018.01.16