my old boat project

[Guest]

You will recall a while ago I chatted about my very old boat. I have managed to get a couple of evenings work on it and it is basically set out. I am ready to bolt the rudder servo to the bulkhead, and fit the radio gear, speed controller and wiring etc.

Are there any golden rules as to siting of radio, wiring, speed controller etc and any tips? I was going to run radio wires on one side and battery/motor on the other.

The radio will be put in a small box to splash proof it, will a metal box cause any problem or , I assume not seeing as the aerial wire is what brings in the signal.

Picture attached. The battery can be moved along the supports using the frame to tinker with trim. Soon to be painted grey inside.

[ATTACH]17808.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Guest]

I think you are basically fine with keeping the power wires and the radio wires seperate but I would avoid using a metal box to put the radio gear in. There is always a chance of it interferring with the signal so I think a plastic or wooden box would be better. Some people reckon that you get better reception with the antenna vertical but all my boats have it fastened to the underside of the deck and they all work fine. Avoid doubling it up though and lay it out in as long a line as possible for the best reception.

[jspitza]

Fantastic little boat! I'm amazed at how you guys:

a: manage to keep water out

bower these things!

[Guest]

Hi

I will certainly agree with Richard (Bunkerbarge) on his post above about avoiding the metal box for the radio gear. If you have a Maplins store anywhere near you, have a look in there, they do various plastic boxes with screw down lids which will suit this job just fine. I have used them in my models with no problems at all. They are not expensive either !!

Regards.....Mark

[Guest]

thanks for the tips, Maplins is not local but can pass one during work. Great tip, thanks.

I have an 850 motor in it, I believe it is internally supressed and as such should not need further suppressors. Does anyone know?

Finally, should the radio be kept away from the motor, on the aft bulkhead rather than the fore one I had originally planned to site it on.

thanks for your input. A pond trial next week during half term and before painting etc beckons with the kids.

[Guest]

I bet that will be pretty nippy with an 850 in it . Good luck with your see trials . Personally i would site the radio reciever away from the motor itself .

[Guest]

I bet that will be pretty nippy with an 850 in it . Good luck with your see trials . Personally i would site the radio reciever away from the motor itself .

think radio will go on aft bulkhead near servo. I have 3 props to try ranging 40mm, 45mm and 50mm. Have 50mm to try first and all are 2 blade racing type props.

I reckoned use a big motor to give it go when wanted, it can potter at low revs still just like a real boat.

Being new I don't know what to expect from performance, but think it should plane ok.

[Guest]

Be very carefull with such a powerful motor. The danger is when going ahead the model can flip over, particularly if it hits a small wave or a gust of wind catches it. Increase the speed slowly over small increments until you get a feel for it. Also be very carefull going astern, especially if your speed controller gives you the same output in both directions. The more sophisticated Mtronics ones nowadays have a delayed start in astern and do not go as fast to prevent accidentally going backwards too fast and flooding the boat.

[Guest]

I normaly when using a non tug, place the receiver in a plastic bag and seal with a rubber band, [must take it out of the bag just in case of condensation at days end] If the worst comes to it, you shouldn't kill the radio, the motor will dry out.

I don't believe there are any capacitors[condensers] in an 850 and being 3 pole will stutter at low revs especially with a big prop, go for the 40mm as a start. (wait for a calm day) You are using 12 volts I take it?

[Guest]

I normaly when using a non tug, place the receiver in a plastic bag and seal with a rubber band, [must take it out of the bag just in case of condensation at days end] If the worst comes to it, you shouldn't kill the radio, the motor will dry out.I don't believe there are any capacitors[condensers] in an 850 and being 3 pole will stutter at low revs especially with a big prop, go for the 40mm as a start. (wait for a calm day) You are using 12 volts I take it?

yes 12V, the boat is 3 feet long and heavily built so should be quite stable. I have trimmed the weight quite central, so hopefully the bow should not flip up too high. The hull used to be nitro and obviously quick.

My local pond is a short walk to a flash pond (dries in a drought) on the common and is only about 18inches deep with firm sand bottom so waders would enable a retrieval in worst case!! that said I have lots of bouyancy in it with polystrrene foam.

[Guest]

Be very carefull with such a powerful motor. The danger is when going ahead the model can flip over, particularly if it hits a small wave or a gust of wind catches it. Increase the speed slowly over small increments until you get a feel for it. Also be very carefull going astern, especially if your speed controller gives you the same output in both directions. The more sophisticated Mtronics ones nowadays have a delayed start in astern and do not go as fast to prevent accidentally going backwards too fast and flooding the boat.

yes astern is a danger! we play with real boats and my first RYA lesson many years ago involved a lesson astern demonstrating how easy it is to swamp a boat, also sudden crash stops taking on your own stern wave and how to stop suddenly turning 180 into your own wash...great fun.

to my model, I have an esc on it which seems quite smooth. Also the transmitter is acoms simple one but has a switch to set it so only 1/3 travel on reverse and this limits the speed in reverse and makes forward more controllable.

Hopefully it will run well!

[Guest]

In a bit bigger boat with the same setup I was actually running at a scale speed of sixty MPH> GPS'ed it so be a bit carefull, the boat will weigh quite a bit more than a 'gas' boat and will sit lower in t'water big waves will be created so watch the turns,.Good luck. :emo8:

[Guest]

In a bit bigger boat with the same setup I was actually running at a scale speed of sixty MPH> GPS'ed it so be a bit carefull, the boat will weigh quite a bit more than a 'gas' boat and will sit lower in t'water big waves will be created so watch the turns,.Good luck. :emo8:

thanks for your advice, I will heed your words and take care.I am heartened it will have such performance if needed. What I need now is a speed limiter for when the kids try it! Fortunately the only wash on "our" pond other than ours will be any ducks!:music_too

[Guest]

What I need now is a speed limiter for when the kids try it!

easy, simply change over to a 7.2 nicad (less chance of it turning upside downie)

[Guest]

What I need now is a speed limiter for when the kids try it!easy, simply change over to a 7.2 nicad (less chance of it turning upside downie)

I did wonder about a lower volt battery as you say, I have a 6V lead acid one. But my worry was as it runs down the BEC will cut out the motor very early in the discharge at 5V odd....right in the middle of the pond!