80' Elco PT Boat
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cocoa,
FL
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
80' Elco PT Boat
I have an eight foot long PT boat that I want to power with electric motors. I have not decided whether to go with the scale three motor setup or only with two. I believe this size model will end up weighing close to one hundred pounds. My question is what motors would you recomend for this boat and where might I find them? I am planning on running twelve volts and would use reversing ESC's. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Dennis
#2
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: n/a, BERMUDA
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 80' Elco PT Boat
Dennis check out the motors from mobile marine models they come in 12 and 23 volt Iv two for my 76 inch Tug
Alex
Alex
ORIGINAL: DJLaPalme
I have an eight foot long PT boat that I want to power with electric motors. I have not decided whether to go with the scale three motor setup or only with two. I believe this size model will end up weighing close to one hundred pounds. My question is what motors would you recomend for this boat and where might I find them? I am planning on running twelve volts and would use reversing ESC's. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Dennis
I have an eight foot long PT boat that I want to power with electric motors. I have not decided whether to go with the scale three motor setup or only with two. I believe this size model will end up weighing close to one hundred pounds. My question is what motors would you recomend for this boat and where might I find them? I am planning on running twelve volts and would use reversing ESC's. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Dennis
#4
RE: 80' Elco PT Boat
Hey DJ,
Wow that is huge.
I would run the boat using (3) Astroflight Cobalt 25's or 40's. I think a 2:1 ratio would be the way to go to keep the amps down.This set up should get the boat up to a nice cruising speed. Be wary of cheap electronics because a 100LB boat won't be kind to them.
http://www.astroflight.com/index.php...roducts_id=102
-Rich.
Wow that is huge.
I would run the boat using (3) Astroflight Cobalt 25's or 40's. I think a 2:1 ratio would be the way to go to keep the amps down.This set up should get the boat up to a nice cruising speed. Be wary of cheap electronics because a 100LB boat won't be kind to them.
http://www.astroflight.com/index.php...roducts_id=102
-Rich.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Blackpool Lancs, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
Received 32 Likes
on
32 Posts
RE: 80' Elco PT Boat
ORIGINAL: Kmot
I expect you will need at least another 200 lbs. of ballast to get an 8' PT hull down to the water line! [X(]
I expect you will need at least another 200 lbs. of ballast to get an 8' PT hull down to the water line! [X(]
Like Colin Chapman (Lotus) used to say "Add more lightness".
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Richmond,
VA
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 80' Elco PT Boat
I think your weight estimate is accurate. The original displaced approximately 50t - which at 1:10 scale is 110lbs.
In situations like these, I use the full size boat power rating and convert to rating at scale and under "scale speed". Bear in mind though, that a scaled down power train may be less efficient than the original, so the result is before losses.
Depending on version, the Elco 80s had 3x 1200, 1500 or 1850HP. At 1:10 scale that converts to 3x 1.2, 1.5 or 1.85HP. If you go with two motors they need to be: 1.8, 2.25 or 2.8HP each respectively. Add 25 - 50% to overcome the efficiency difference. So, it looks like you'll need 3x 2HP motors.
Those are big motors. I'd look for DeWalt Hammerdrill replacement motors. I'd run them at 24 or 36 V. You're getting into Robot Wars territory. There are plenty of retailers in that area - most notibly robotmarketplace.com. Nextup is ESC - prepare to hand over your wallet!
All the best.
In situations like these, I use the full size boat power rating and convert to rating at scale and under "scale speed". Bear in mind though, that a scaled down power train may be less efficient than the original, so the result is before losses.
Depending on version, the Elco 80s had 3x 1200, 1500 or 1850HP. At 1:10 scale that converts to 3x 1.2, 1.5 or 1.85HP. If you go with two motors they need to be: 1.8, 2.25 or 2.8HP each respectively. Add 25 - 50% to overcome the efficiency difference. So, it looks like you'll need 3x 2HP motors.
Those are big motors. I'd look for DeWalt Hammerdrill replacement motors. I'd run them at 24 or 36 V. You're getting into Robot Wars territory. There are plenty of retailers in that area - most notibly robotmarketplace.com. Nextup is ESC - prepare to hand over your wallet!
All the best.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cocoa,
FL
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 80' Elco PT Boat
No matter how I power it it is going to be an expensive project. I want everything to be as scale as possible, including working torpedos and tubes or racks. This is going to be quite the challenge. Thanks everyone for your inputs. I'm sure there will be bigger challenges than the power plant to think about and I'm sure there are plenty of people with much greater brains than mine to help. Dennis
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Blackpool Lancs, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
Received 32 Likes
on
32 Posts
RE: 80' Elco PT Boat
How did real life PT boats run their power? All three motors running permanently? Wing motors or just the center motor for cruising and the other(s) for the extra speed when needed?
The "boost" motor(s) could be forwards only brushless on their own channel. From the ones that I have seen so far, brushless give tremendous power to weight, and therefore speed, but primitive reversing and poor low speed control, so are great for flat out running, whereas brushed motors give good control for avoiding slamming into concrete walls when docking.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Schenectady, NY
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 80' Elco PT Boat
MFR02 Hi there.
From what historical accounts I have read whenever they were in or near enemy waters all three engines would be running. Usually only one was actually propelling the boat the other two would be idling in neutral when traveling at slow speed. Then the other two could be engaged and throttle up at a moments notice. No worrying about start up time or waiting for it to warm up. All at the Captains discretion of course.
From what historical accounts I have read whenever they were in or near enemy waters all three engines would be running. Usually only one was actually propelling the boat the other two would be idling in neutral when traveling at slow speed. Then the other two could be engaged and throttle up at a moments notice. No worrying about start up time or waiting for it to warm up. All at the Captains discretion of course.
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Richmond,
VA
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 80' Elco PT Boat
ORIGINAL: blizard05
I would look at 2-3 auto heater fan motors?
I would look at 2-3 auto heater fan motors?
My vote is still with a set of High-End Cordless powerdrill motors.