Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
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Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Here are some pix of my homemade cooling system for a 540 Motor sized Traxxasa Blast.
It looks oh so super-cheesy but it beats swimming out in the cold water to get my boat back when the motor gets so hot, the solder on the power leads melts and there I am in the middle of the lake!!!!
Works great, no leaks (so far!!!!). Great heat transfer too, motor is only warm at the end of two 3300mAh packs back to back.
Designed by adhering to very strict T.L.A.R. design standards.
( T.L.A.R. = That Looks About Right )
Puts out a nice steady stream from the side mounted outlet as the boat speeds by.
Wasn't an easy project, I'll admit.
Had a good time doing it and couldn't wait to test it out on the lake.
[img][/img]
It looks oh so super-cheesy but it beats swimming out in the cold water to get my boat back when the motor gets so hot, the solder on the power leads melts and there I am in the middle of the lake!!!!
Works great, no leaks (so far!!!!). Great heat transfer too, motor is only warm at the end of two 3300mAh packs back to back.
Designed by adhering to very strict T.L.A.R. design standards.
( T.L.A.R. = That Looks About Right )
Puts out a nice steady stream from the side mounted outlet as the boat speeds by.
Wasn't an easy project, I'll admit.
Had a good time doing it and couldn't wait to test it out on the lake.
[img][/img]
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Amazing. Yes your heat transfer must be awesome. Any reason the pickup is so long. Looks like you are going about .5in under the bottom of the transom. Sounds effectve.
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
good work, the only thing i would change is the pickup, make it above the prop wash so its not drag, you will get more water that way too.. anything in front of the prop like that is drag, and will cost you a little speed, if you are getting things so hot you are melting solder then i would change to a smaller prop or check for driveline drag or soemthing
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Pickup depth is based purely on the TLAR design school. Ha Ha ...
I did allow for some adjustment as I agree with you that it may actually be "Too-Deep"
Gotta be some excess drag I'm sure.
An easy fix as I can un-solder it and adjust the depth.
Then run the boat again and look for that trusty squirter to let me know all is well.
I do appreciate the input by all means.
Robo
I did allow for some adjustment as I agree with you that it may actually be "Too-Deep"
Gotta be some excess drag I'm sure.
An easy fix as I can un-solder it and adjust the depth.
Then run the boat again and look for that trusty squirter to let me know all is well.
I do appreciate the input by all means.
Robo
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Another thing I see is it looks like your struter is way negative. This has to have you running way wet (pushing the bow down). This will also cause drag and make heat.
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Gotcha, I was wondering about that , read today how to adjust it too.
You'd be right saying that cuz' I've noticed theres a lot of hull in the water at speed (if you call 7mph speed ) [&o]
Man, this model boat stuff is getting as technical as my electric R/C helis now !!!! I love it !!!!
And yeah, I've read some assorted posts and watched some vid's about the Super Vee 27 you guyz are racing, they look sweet...
I'm dreaming of an orange hull myself...
You'd be right saying that cuz' I've noticed theres a lot of hull in the water at speed (if you call 7mph speed ) [&o]
Man, this model boat stuff is getting as technical as my electric R/C helis now !!!! I love it !!!!
And yeah, I've read some assorted posts and watched some vid's about the Super Vee 27 you guyz are racing, they look sweet...
I'm dreaming of an orange hull myself...
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Adjustments made (see photo)
Wish I did'n t have to work all day till past dark as I'm dying to see what my speed does with less "Negative" on the prop thrust.
Honestly, I ran it the exactly as it came from the factory. No tweaks other than painting the driving crew guyz bright orange !!!
Oh and I added some styrofoam to the hatch lid cuz I don't think it would float without it...
My guess is they set the angle that way on purpose to keep us rookies with the nose down to reduce tendency to flip.
Oh and I'm Looking into placeing water inlet behind prop wash but its not gonna' be easy as I'll have to fabricate a bracket to hang from the stut.
Once again, thanks for the great advice.
Robo
[img][/img]
Wish I did'n t have to work all day till past dark as I'm dying to see what my speed does with less "Negative" on the prop thrust.
Honestly, I ran it the exactly as it came from the factory. No tweaks other than painting the driving crew guyz bright orange !!!
Oh and I added some styrofoam to the hatch lid cuz I don't think it would float without it...
My guess is they set the angle that way on purpose to keep us rookies with the nose down to reduce tendency to flip.
Oh and I'm Looking into placeing water inlet behind prop wash but its not gonna' be easy as I'll have to fabricate a bracket to hang from the stut.
Once again, thanks for the great advice.
Robo
[img][/img]
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Strut angle is probably normal factory assy variation (usually crazy bad) SV's are closer to idea due to solid stuffing tube. Your future adjustments will be much smaller. I little goes a long way in strut agle. Why don't you just raise the pickup where it is. so only about 2/3 of the open portion is blow the transom. (Oh I just looked at the picture again, that looks way better). You may have some cavitation problems on take off now but I'd bet your speeds will be way better (temps cooler too). Give it a toss if it won't plane.
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Ok so today I test out the adjustments made yesterday to the Traxxas Blast.
Lake was very rough (but no whitecaps) as we have a cold front coming and winds were a steady 20mph all day.
Took it easy as I didn't want to take a chance on flipping it as I caught air a few times when launching from a wave. Water was the roughest I've seen in quite some time.
Boat was noticeably faster with the different drive angle amd less drag from raised water inlet.
Boat hooked up on its own still, did not need a "Toss" to ger going.
Should really do better on a calmer day I hope.
Still had good cooling, in fact I'm going to raise inlet another 5mm and see what happens.
Thats about as modded as this little boat is going to get.
Again, thanks for all your "Tuning" input/suggestions it has obviously helped a lot.
ThanX,
Robo
Lake was very rough (but no whitecaps) as we have a cold front coming and winds were a steady 20mph all day.
Took it easy as I didn't want to take a chance on flipping it as I caught air a few times when launching from a wave. Water was the roughest I've seen in quite some time.
Boat was noticeably faster with the different drive angle amd less drag from raised water inlet.
Boat hooked up on its own still, did not need a "Toss" to ger going.
Should really do better on a calmer day I hope.
Still had good cooling, in fact I'm going to raise inlet another 5mm and see what happens.
Thats about as modded as this little boat is going to get.
Again, thanks for all your "Tuning" input/suggestions it has obviously helped a lot.
ThanX,
Robo
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Sounds like you did good. Good you didn't have to toss. My SV is usually good about that too. Some times if the bats get low I squeeze a bit more out of them with a toss. You may do more tuning when you get some good water. Sounds like you are going in the correct direction. I know what it's like to want to test and not have the conditons. Better to be patient but hard.
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Next Days Report:
Waited till late afternoon and wind was calm.
Had smooth water for a test run and boat ran great.
I'm not a good judge of speed in MPH but the little boat was moving out pretty decent with a nice rooster-tail behind it. Boat tracked good in turns too, as well as figure 8's.
Still going to modify water inlet by raising it about 4-5mm.
Motor was no where near hot at the end of a 3300mAh NimH pack.
Now I need to find a buddy to race with...
Waited till late afternoon and wind was calm.
Had smooth water for a test run and boat ran great.
I'm not a good judge of speed in MPH but the little boat was moving out pretty decent with a nice rooster-tail behind it. Boat tracked good in turns too, as well as figure 8's.
Still going to modify water inlet by raising it about 4-5mm.
Motor was no where near hot at the end of a 3300mAh NimH pack.
Now I need to find a buddy to race with...
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
Final Chapter for the Traxxas Blast Water Cooling Modificcation story.
Today I raised the water inlet tube so only about 2/3 of the slash-cut opening is below the edge of the transom. As per previous RCU member recommendation.
Weather was perfect today with ideal test conditions.
Water inlet was at the PERFECT height and plenty of coolant flow could be seen exiting the hull.
I put the outlet on the side of the hull for two reasons:
1. To simplify routing of the hose from the jacket (lazy!!)
2. To allow me a clear visual of coolant flow on a right to left pass by the pier
Ran an entire 3300mAh pack WFO and motor was only warm at end of the run.
Special thanks to SV27Dayton for all the constructive feedback related to my project.
Regards,
Robo
Today I raised the water inlet tube so only about 2/3 of the slash-cut opening is below the edge of the transom. As per previous RCU member recommendation.
Weather was perfect today with ideal test conditions.
Water inlet was at the PERFECT height and plenty of coolant flow could be seen exiting the hull.
I put the outlet on the side of the hull for two reasons:
1. To simplify routing of the hose from the jacket (lazy!!)
2. To allow me a clear visual of coolant flow on a right to left pass by the pier
Ran an entire 3300mAh pack WFO and motor was only warm at end of the run.
Special thanks to SV27Dayton for all the constructive feedback related to my project.
Regards,
Robo
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
ORIGINAL: robotronski
I put the outlet on the side of the hull for two reasons:
1. To simplify routing of the hose from the jacket (lazy!!)
2. To allow me a clear visual of coolant flow on a right to left pass by the pier
I put the outlet on the side of the hull for two reasons:
1. To simplify routing of the hose from the jacket (lazy!!)
2. To allow me a clear visual of coolant flow on a right to left pass by the pier
It is also a very good place to see water coming out as you pointed out.
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
ORIGINAL: retaobcr
Water flow out the exit at a great rate is to fast and doesn't pickup enough heat.
To accomplish a slower rate and pickup more heat is to put a reducer in the coil like a size smaller water hose will do it.
Water flow out the exit at a great rate is to fast and doesn't pickup enough heat.
To accomplish a slower rate and pickup more heat is to put a reducer in the coil like a size smaller water hose will do it.
Was going to force the water to zig-zag its way through the jackets internal pathway to accomplish two tasks.
1. Act as a sort-of-thermostat to keep the water in the jacket long enough to accumulate as much motor heat as possible
2. Reduce the chance of any hot spots exixsting on the motor housing in case the flow was more predominant through the center of the jacket.
But then I got impatient and soldered away so as to have something to run at the lake that afternoon!!!!
I still think its cooling fine because its only warm at the end of a 3300mAh pack.
And yes the inlet needs mods, ive also heard recommendations to put it behind the prop huh???
So I'm not quite clear on how you resolve the issues with the El-Cheapo U-joints wearing out...
Appreciate the input though
Robo
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RE: Homemade Water Jacket PiX - Blast - Traxxas
ORIGINAL: retaobcr
I see a BIG PROBLEM; you using bullet connectors. They can fuse cause they can't carry much current and troubles galoore. Also a Shc. diode on endbell from pos. post to neg. post for electrical spikes.
Now are those Johnson motors, don't look like Grauper motors of which either one are toss away motors!
I see a BIG PROBLEM; you using bullet connectors. They can fuse cause they can't carry much current and troubles galoore. Also a Shc. diode on endbell from pos. post to neg. post for electrical spikes.
Now are those Johnson motors, don't look like Grauper motors of which either one are toss away motors!
And yeah, no schottky diode either???? I see that on lots of airborne models, but not so much on ground based models. I guess they figure a radio-glithch won't do much harm huh???
As far as the motor goes, Traxxas claims it to be one of their custom "STINGER" 20-Turn high pefromance motors.
I know they use a different turn armature in the Traxxas R/C Stadium trucks we run up and down the driveway. And yes , those truck motors get searing hot at the end of one pack.
They all have that Mabuchi RS-540 look to me though....
Interesting observation about the brush temps on Pos and Neg being different.... I'm wondering why that is... from a theory point of view, of course. If I know why that is, maybe I can come up with a solution for your situation. I know WHY they get hot, but not why there is a DIFFERENTIAL heating effect...
Interesting reading your comments.
Robo